On This Day in Horror History: ‘Abbott & Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde’ Peering Through a ‘Rear Window’

Over the years August 1^st played host to a number of debuting genre films. Some of which, really do deserve some attention. So, what say we get into it?

Abbott & Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde turns 64 years old today. The film was and always has been viewed in mixed light. Some love the film and some hate it. For my buck it’s a fun if uneven watch, and if you’re going to embark on an Abbott & Costello binge, this certainly isn’t the one to skip.

One year later Alfred Hitchcock’s critically acclaimed and extremely successful Rear Window made its presence known. It’s a stellar picture that blends horror and mystery elements quite well, leaving viewers often feeling helpless, just as the film’s protagonist is.

Rear Window was also a success at the box office, earning more than $36 million.

August 1^st was another interesting day, in 1986, as Jason Voorhees returned to the big screen in the sixth installment of Friday the 13^th. Fan reception was mediocre; the film made $19 million at the box office, but did go on to enjoy tremendous success on home video.

And finally, we’ve got to tip our hats to Spawn, who, 20 years ago today opened in theaters. Spawn took in nearly $90 million worldwide, and helped to ensure that Todd MacFarlane’s masterpiece would continue to impress comic readers and movie viewers. Heads up, it’s looking like we’ll finally see another Spawn flick before too long!