Memories of Fear: Movie Scenes That Terrified Me as a Kid
From the early 1970s, I recall being terrified by certain movie scenes, in particular, a Martian from the 1953 film War of the Worlds. At the age of about 3, a particular scene frightened me, making me feel quite unsettled about the alien's appearance. The 1965 creature feature The War of the Gargantuas, with an American release in 1970, had a scene that has left a lasting impression on me to this day.
The Martian Encounter
During the 1953 film War of the Worlds, a Martian creature appeared and made its presence known when it touched Ann Robinson on the shoulder. That specific moment was scary, and I felt compelled to look away during the scene. The creature of The War of the Gargantuas, with its face staring from a high-rise window, left a similar lasting impression on me. This incident in The War of the Gargantuas made me so traumatized that I couldn't stand to look at darkened windows at night for years, fearing to see a similar face looking back at me.
Scary Movie Mania: Creature Double Feature
During my early childhood, I didn't have access to many movie theaters due to our financial situation. However, every Saturday from 1:00 to 4:00 PM, I would watch "Creature Double Feature" on WLVI Channel 56, which aired two monster movies. Despite the fear and subsequent nightmares that these movies instilled in me, I was usually thrilled by the experience, as I craved the adrenaline rush they provided. Titles such as vampires, werewolves, mummies, carnivorous plants, and living rock creatures were just some of the horrors that kept popping up on the screen.
The 1966 film The War of the Gargantuas is a prime example of the type of creature feature that plagued my childhood. The movie, which had a more than adequate amount of 'cheese' and laughably poor special effects, featured a scene where a woman opened her high-rise apartment curtains to be confronted by the face of one of the gargantuas. This scene was so frightening that it left me unable to look at darkened windows at night for years.
Updating the Horror
An update from Rob Morris in the comments clarifies that the specific scene I referenced is actually from the 1965 prequel Frankenstein Conquers The World, also known as Frankenstein vs. Baragon. The shot from the movie shows a similar moment of horror and anticipation that I felt as a child during these classic horror scenes.
Conclusion
Fond recollections of youthful terror are a common experience for many of us who grew up in the era of classic monster movies and creature features. The scenes in these films, filled with suspense and fear, were like a roller coaster ride for some of us who were drawn to the adrenaline of being terrified. The haunting moments and scenes that left deep impressions on our childhood minds continue to be fondly remembered.