They play on our worst fears. We scream, we hide our eyes and sometimes even laugh at their absurd plots. But we keep coming back for more.Horror films – throughout history they have allowed us to see the monsters we imagined under our beds, the science project that went awry and the bad dreams transformed into reality. Why do so many of us get a rush from such frightening films?”We’re used to feeling safe and in contact with reality,” said Morris Beja, professor of English at OSU. Environments where we would normally feel secure, like a roadside motel, are turned into chambers of death by films such as “Psycho” or “The Shining.” The earliest horror films grew out of Gothic novels from Europe by way of Mary Shelley or Bram Stoker who used tall-tales of vampires and mad scientists as inspiration. Other filmmakers produced similar flicks based on myths or tales as early as 1919. All of this emerged at a time when Hollywood was hesitant to test this new chaotic genre. Studios were content with the safety of mystery plays which stressed logic and reason. In fact some of these emerging, early classics were silent films. Can you imagine a ’90’s style horror flick with no blood-curdling screams, no roaring chainsaws, no suspenseful music of doom?The beauty of these oldies but goodies is that they can be watched over and over again and still cause chills. “Its (the film) got to be complex,” said Beja. “Special effects alone can only have a short-term power and gimmicks alone won’t produce a good film.” So if it’s not the high-tech make-up and realistic blood, what attracts such a substantial and loyal cult following to these films? “It’s the skill by which the effects are created. It can be in some ways a crude film but has a certain level of originality or creativity,” said Beja. “For example, ‘The Night of The Living Dead,’ it’s a cult flick because of the originality of the approach with which it’s carried off.”The classics rely on suspense and contrast, said Beja. “They arouse your attention even when you know what’s going to happen next.”The supercharged special effects of the endless “Friday the 13th” and “Halloween” sequels have transformed suspense and terror into a predictable slaughterhouse of blood and gore. The same plots recur in every sequel with the psycho killer butchering his prey.”Filmmakers sometimes forget that less is more,” said Beja. “More blood doesn’t equal more effect.”Not all of the recent thrillers have followed this cliched style. “Some of the most interesting horror films of today are the ones that go against these stereotypes,” said Beja. “‘Alien’ has had sequels that have not been disgraceful. A sequel isn’t a bad thing, it’s more like a commercial not an artistic endeavor.” Sheer terror is yours for the asking as the Drexel Grandview Theatre presents, “Shocktoberfest,” an all-night movie marathon featuring four flicks of fear. “The Tingler” Vincent Price’s obsession with the study of fear leads him to a startling discovery. Presented in Percepto, the new effect will bring the fear on the screen into the audience.”The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The New Generation”Matthew McConoughay and Renee Zellwegger star in this fourth edition of the Chainsaw sequels.”Eraserhead”In memory of the late Jack Nance and in celebration of its 20th Anniversary, “Eraserhead,” will be shown at the Drexel. Long absent from Columbus screens and out of print on home video, this flick is a midnight cult classic.”Re-Animator”Stuart Gordon’s humorously frightening film of guts and gore. A medical school performs a slew of deranged experiments, trying to bring the dead back to life. This movie mayhem kicks off at 11pm Friday and continues to Saturday. Tickets for this Halloween event are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Contact the Drexel Grandview, 486-7229, for further information.