Shudder Day: Theatre of Horrors- The Sordid Story of Paris' Grand Guignol

 I like to think that I can enjoy classy, informative stuff and not just Horror/Action Movies.

As someone with passing knowledge of the place, why not cover a full Documentary on the infamous Grand Guignol?

If you don't know, the Grand Guignol was a small, but influential Theater in Paris.

It started out doing 'Naturalist Plays.'

In essence, the Plays were dark, a bit morbid and rarely had happy endings.

That was 'natural.'
Freaking French.

As time went on, the Plays changed from being just about crime and sometimes murder to something more.

Plays began to feature regular killing of Characters, deconstruction of positions of power and lots of fake blood.
Well, real (cow) blood at first.

The Theater- which is likely the size of your average House- grew in fame and soon brought in many Guests.

Legit figures in Literature, Medicine and Films worked there, studied there or spoke there.

You see the influence in people like Tod Browning and James Whale (who acted in 1 Play at least).

The Documentary is narrated by Barbara Steele, who brings a certain gravitas to proceedings, even if she also says 'controvesy' and not 'controversy.'

We also hear from an Actress from its later days and the son of Gypsy Rose Lee, whose Mom took him there when he was SIX.

With a limited amount of footage (film degradation, lack of storage and WWII happened), they act out certain Scene with Puppets...which is somehow worse.

They also cover the lasting legacy of the Theatre, like how it inspired Films that led to entire Genres being created.

For as crass as it could be, it created Art and Entertainment for over 60 years.

What would Cinema be without the Grand Guignol?  Boring.

To find out way more details than I could squeeze in here, stream it now!

A very informative Documentary that is full of gross stuff and definitely for the faint of heart.

This is about a Theater famous for gory, violent and disturbing works.  They show footage of it, reenactments and other violent Scenes from Films inspired by it.

Oh, and an ass-load of Nudity- pun fully intended.

I say that to tell you that if it is not for you, absolutely skip this Film.  There's no way to show this/talk about this without showing what they show.

I had a passing understanding of this place- knowing the name and many references to it across Shows like Penny Dreadful- but was no expert.
Thankfully, this Film is FULL of them.  It is very informative.

I love Film and information about the Arts.  This definitely scratched that itch for me.

If you're in the mood (and not squeamish), take a look back at this stuff...

A very informative and fascinating Documentary.  Just know that it is full of naughty stuff and blood, so avoid it if you're squeamish.