One of the earliest horror films was the silent German classic Nosferatu. Interestingly, this classic was an unauthorized adaptation of Dracula. The film's producers were unwilling to meet the financial demands of Bram Stoker's widow, so they just changed the names of the characters.
The film was originally released in Germany in 1922, though it didn't make it to the United States until 1929. It was an instant success in America, becoming a huge hit. Audiences loved being scared. The film's success hinged on the creepy performance of Max Schreck, whose creepy transformation into the vampire Count Orlok would inspire many nightmares.
His creepy visage created an urban legend that he was a real vampire who the production company just rolled film on. It was an easy leap to make, since Max Schreck was unknown to American audiences at the time. This legend was explored in a fictionalized version of the film's production- 2000's Shadow of the Vampire.
Of course, Mr. Schreck was stern, but obviously human.
Despite this classic's success, it would be the only movie produced by its studio. The filmmakers purposely declared bankruptcy when the film was completed to avoid having to pay money to Bram Stoker's widow who had filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against them.
