Dark Romance
Sexuality in the Horror Film
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Book Presentation:
The darkly handsome man gazes deeply into her eyes. She finds him irresistible, wants to experience the passion of the moment. He grins—the movie audience can see his lengthened lateral incisors—and bends to her neck. The eroticism is horrible, and compelling.
Audiences are drawn to horror cinema much as the surrendering victim. Afraid to watch, but more afraid something will be missed. Since the horror film is the most primal of all movie genres, seldom censored, these films tell us what we are about. From the silent era to the present day, Dark Romance explores horror cinema’s preoccupation with sexuality: vampires, beauty and the beast, victimization of women, “slasher” films, and more. Separate chapters focus upon individuals, like Alfred Hitchcock and Barbara Steele. Entertaining, and thought-provoking on the sexual fears and phobias of our society.
About the Author:
David J. Hogan has written reviews and features for Filmfax, Outré, Moviegoer, Photon, Cinefantastique and other film magazines. He lives in Arlington Heights, Illinois.
Press Reviews:
"intelligently organized and well written"—Film Quarterly; "entertaining"—Classic Images; "thought provoking"—Midnight Marquee; "views the way horror filmmakers exploit sexuality in their films of vampires, beasts, man-made monsters, and victimization of women"—AB Bookman’s Weekly; "Hogan’s criticism is discerning"—The Horror Show; "interesting"—Fantasy Review; "Clear, well-written, and intelligent."—Neil Barron, Editor of Fantasy and Horror.
> From the same author:
Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing and Horror Cinema (2025)
A Revised and Expanded Filmography of Their Terrifying Collaborations
by Mark A. Miller and David J. Hogan
Subject: Actor > Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing
The Palgrave Encyclopedia of American Horror Film Shorts (2023)
1915–1976
by Gary D. Rhodes, David J. Hogan, Mark Martucci and Henry Nicolella
Invasion USA (2017)
Essays on Anti-Communist Movies of the 1950s and 1960s
Dir. David J. Hogan
Subject: Sociology
The Wizard of Oz FAQ (2014)
All That's Left to Know About Life, According to Oz
Subject: One Film > The Wizard of Oz
Film Noir FAQ (2013)
All That's Left to Know About Hollywood's Golden Age of Dames, Detectives and Danger
Three Stooges FAQ (2011)
Everything Left to Know About the Eye-Poking, Face-Slapping, Head-Thumping Geniuses
Subject: Actor > The Three Stooges
Science Fiction America (2005)
Essays on SF Cinema
Dir. David J. Hogan
Subject: Genre > Science Fiction
> On a related topic:
Queer Horror Film and Television (2022)
Sexuality and Masculinity at the Margins
Gender and Sexuality in Latin American Horror Cinema (2016)
Embodiments of Evil
Zombies and Sexuality (2014)
Essays on Desire and the Living Dead
Dir. Shaka McGlotten and Steve Jones
Transforming Faces for the Screen (2023)
Horror and Romance in the 1920s
by Karen Randell and Alexis Weedon
Subject: Silent Cinema
Horror House Film (2026)
Possession, Obsession, Domination, Masculinity
The Politics of Monstrous Figures in Contemporary Cinema (2025)
Witches, Zombies, and Cyborgs Re-enchanting the Ends of the World
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