Vampires in Silent Cinema

One of the first academic books devoted to vampires in silent cinema. Explores vampires in all of their cinematic forms and metaphors, ranging from the supernatural to the natural, as in the case of “vampire thieves” and “vampire criminals”. Covers the subject globally, exploring vampires as depicted in various national cinemas. Opens new vistas of discovery in vampire and horror studies, connecting the silent films under review with earlier vampire folklore, literature, and theater. Provides new approaches to Nosferatu (1922) and London after Midnight (1927), the two films covered in the book that have been discussed at length by prior scholars. Features images from forgotten films not published or seen in over a century. Despite the enormous cultural impact of Nosferatu (1922) on modern entertainment, the history of vampires in silent film is largely unknown. Vampires in Silent Cinema covers the subject from 1896-1931, reclaiming a large array of forgotten films from countries ranging from the United States and France to Hungary and Russia. Drawing on thousands of primary sources, Rhodes explores vampirism in all of its manifestations, from the supernatural undead to the natural vamp.