Clever tag lines clue viewers in on terror
CREEPY ad copy makes chillers more tingly and spooky.
After our recent article on tag lines in TV commercials, let’s focus on their counterparts in ads to “sell” movies. To make the exercise more tingly and spooky, let’s concentrate on tag lines for famous horror films.
With what clever, psychologically cunning words and turns of phrase did the mass persuaders employed by movie studios lure viewers into theaters—to give them the scare of their lives? The creepy plots thicken:
“White Zombie”: “With these zombies eyes, he rendered her powerless! With this zombie grip, he made her perform his every desire!”
“Island of Lost Souls”: “The Panther Woman lured men to the island—only to destroy them, body and soul!”
“The Bride of Frankenstein”: “Warning! The monster demands a mate!”
Article continues after this advertisement“Cat People”: “A kiss would change her into a monstrous fang-and-claw killer!”
Article continues after this advertisement“Diabolique”: “Don’t be diabolical—don’t spoil the ending by telling your friends what you’ve seen!”
“The Bad Seed”: “The big shocker! A hidden shame out in the open—and the most terrifying rock-bottom a woman ever hit for love!”
“The Curse of Frankenstein”: “Will haunt you forever!”
“Horror of Dracula”: “Who will be his bride tonight?”
“The Tingler”: “When the screen screams, you’ll scream too—if you value your life!”
“Peeping Tom”: “Do you know what the most frightening thing in the world is…?”
“Psycho”: “A new—and altogether different—screen excitement!”
“Carnival of Souls”: “A story so unusual, it will burn itself into your mind! A weird tale of the unnatural!”
“What Ever Happened To Baby Jane?”: “Sister, sister so fair—why is there blood all over your hair?”
“The Birds”: “This could be the most terrifying motion picture I have ever made!” —Alfred Hitchcock
“The Haunting”: “You may not believe in ghosts, but you can’t deny Terror!”
“Repulsion”: “The Nightmare world of a virgin’s dreams becomes the screen’s most shocking reality!”
“The Devil’s Bride”: “The beauty of woman—the demon of darkness—the unholy union of ‘The Devil’s Bride!’”
“The Night of the Living Dead”: “Fear—that deadliest of all emotions—clutching at your heart!”
“Blacula”: “Bloodsucker! Deadlier than Dracula! Warm, young bodies will feed his hunger and hot, fresh blood his awful thirst!”
“The Exorcist”: “Something almost beyond comprehension is happening on this street, in this house—and a man has been sent for a last resort. The man is The Exorcist.”
“Deathdream”: “Something unspeakable has come home!”
“The Texas Chainsaw Massacre”: “Who will survive—and what will be left of them?”
“The Omen”: “You have been warned: If something frightening happens to you today, think about it. It may be ‘The Omen.’”
“Carrie”—“If you’ve got a taste for terror . . . take Carrie to the prom!”
“The Hills Have Eyes”: “A nice American family. They didn’t want to kill—but they didn’t want to die!”
“Saw”: “How much blood would you shed to stay alive?”—Brrr! Don’t answer that one!
