COMING IN OCTOBER: Terror Down Under A History of Horror Film in Australia, 1897–1973

Coming in October, from McFarland Publishing. Terror Down Under: A History of Horror Film in Australia, 1897 - 1973 is available for pre-order right now directly from McFarland Publishing , or via your local bookstore. In 1948, the Australian government banned the production, importation and exhibition of horror films in a move to appease religious communities and entertainment watchdogs. Drawing upon previously unseen government documents, private letters and contemporary newspaper accounts, this book is the first to extensively cover the history of censorship and the early production of horror movies in Australia. Beginning its examination in the late 19th century, the book documents the earliest horror films like Georges Méliès’ The Haunted Castle (1896), and how Australians enjoyed such films before the ban. The book explains how certain imports, like 1954’s Creature from the Black Lagoon , were able to circumvent the ban while others were not. It also reveals how Australian t