Regional Horror Films

Introduction: A continued field of study for me is the regional horror film, which thrived from the late 1950s to the 1980s. Filmmakers would produce movies within their own geographic locations, and get them seen in the drive-in circuits or the early days of home video, completely bypassing the Hollywood system. These so-called “regional” pictures, often low-budget exploitation films, sired many careers during that silver age: Earl Owensby in North Carolina, S.F. Brownrigg in Texas, and William Grefé in Florida, to name only a few. These movies may have crossed state lines, but their makers remained in their unique locations, producing films indigenous to them. Many of these films may lack the production values, polished screenwriting and direction, or name actors found in studio movies. Yet, they have an authenticity that one cannot find in the supra-real lens of Hollywood. Truthfully, I've preferred horror films more for atmosphere than for blood and guts, and this is partially why I'm so fascinated by these movies. They are interesting snapshots of their environs, and the local people who fill the frames. A very good primer of the era can also be found in Bryan Albright's book, Regional Horror Films, 1958-1990: A State-by-State Guide with Interviews. Stephen Thrower's Nightmare USA: The Untold Story of the Exploitation Independents is also an excellent resource, even if its scope reaches beyond what would be considered as regional productions.

See Also: Drive-In Horror