Val Lewton: The Man in the Shadows

The read

Critics rate it 26 points higher than audiences do. It runs a compact 1h 17m.

Synopsis

Martin Scorsese narrates this tribute to Val Lewton, the producer of a series of memorable low-budget horror films for RKO Studios. Raised by his mother and his aunt, his films often included strong female characters who find themselves in difficult situations and who have to grow up quickly. He is best remembered for the horror films he made at RKO starting in 1940. Starting with only a title - his first was The Cat People - he would meticulously oversee every aspect of the film's completion. Although categorized as horror films, his films never showed a monster, leaving it all to the viewers imagination, assisted by music, mood and lighting.

Ratings

Key crew

• Kent JonesDirector
• Kent JonesWriter

Cast

• Martin ScorseseNarrator (voice)
• Elias KoteasVal Lewton (voice)
• Glen GabbardSelf
• Roger CormanSelf
• Ann CarterSelf
• Kiyoshi KurosawaSelf
• Geoffrey O'BrienSelf
• Alexander NemerovSelf
• Val LewtonSelf

Stills

Themes