Black Sunday (1960), Blood and Black Lace (1964), and A Bay of Blood (1971)

There are films by certain directors that are truly iconic—classics of the genre we sometimes assume everyone has already seen. But it’s easy to forget that, right now, there are fans just beginning their journey into horror. Whether due to age or a newfound curiosity, they’re taking their first steps into the genre.

For those unfamiliar with him, we’d like to introduce one of horror’s true maestros: Mario Bava. And for those already acquainted with his work, maybe it’s time for a revisit—to once again be stunned by what he brings to the screen. If it’s been a few years, you may find yourself seeing things in a whole new way. That’s one of the beautiful things about cinema.

The three films we’ve chosen highlight important parts of Bava’s career and show how his work helped shape entire subgenres—from gothic horror to giallo to the slasher film. Whether you’re discovering him for the first time or coming back for a fresh look, these films are a perfect place to begin.

One quick correction: Edgar Wallace was a British writer, not American.

Films mentioned in this episode:

Baron Blood (1972), A Bay of Blood (1971), Black Sabbath (1963), Black Sunday (1960), Blood and Black Lace (1964), Caltiki the Immortal Monster (1959), The Church (1989), Creature with the Blue Hand (1967), Curse of the Crying Woman (1963), Curse of Frankenstein (1957), Danger: Diabolik (1968), The Day the Sky Exploded (1958), Death Walks at Midnight (1972), Death Walks in High Heels (1971), Deep Red (1975), The Demon (1982), Demons (1985), Django Kill…If You Live, Shoot! (1967), Dr. Goldfoot and the Girl Bombs (1966), Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1932), Erik the Conqueror (1961), Eyeball (1975), The Four of the Apocalypse (1975), Frankenstein ’80 (1972), Frankenstein Island (1981), Friday the 13th (1980), Friday the 13th (1981), The Giant of Marathon (1959), The Girl Who Knew Too Much (1963), The Great Silence (1968), Hatchet for a Honeymoon (1970), Hercules in the Haunted World (1961), Horror of Dracula (1958), Inferno (1980), I Vampiri (1957), Knives of the Avenger (1966), Long Hair of Death (1964), Night Child (1975), Once Upon a Time in the West (1968), Planet of the Vampires (1965), Psycho (1960), She (1965), Shock (1977), Suspiria (1977), Thunderball (1965), The Toolbox Murders (1978), Torso (1973), The Whip and the Body (1963), Your Vice is a Locked Room and Only I Have the Key (1972)