Combining historical narrative with close readings of several significant horror films, this brief volume offers a broad and lively introduction to cinematic horror. In doing so, it outlines and investigates important issues in the production, consumption, and cultural interpretation of the genre. <br><ul><br><li>An ideal text for perennially popular courses on the horror film genre. <br><li>Examines the ways in which horror movies have been produced, received, and interpreted by filmmakers, audiences, and critics, from the 1920s to the present. <br><li>Provides a short historical introduction of the horror film as an orientation to the field. <br><li>Analyses a wide variety of major works in the genre, including <i>Frankenstein</i>, <i>Cat People, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre</i>, <i>Halloween </i>and <i>Bram Stoker's Dracula.</i></li></ul>