Poe Film Influence

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"Poe 's Influence on the Film Industry" Many know Edgar Allan Poe for his infamous short stories and unique ability to create suspense for his readers. However, his important role as a writer has also impacted the way many directors stylize their movies. Surprisingly enough, Poe 's influence has stretched beyond just horror and macabre themes. The details of this influence can be exemplified by well-known films. Poe was an American short-story writer, poet, and critic. He is most famous for his ability to skillfully craft tales of dreamlike and macabre forces; Poe is also considered the father of the modern detective story. In his earlier years, Poe lost both his parents and, by the age of three, was taken to live with his godfather. In 1826, he enrolled in …show more content…
Despite all of Poe 's sensational writing qualities, his stories are not as easily converted to film as many directors seem to think. This has lead to directors being influenced by, rather than recreating, stories that Poe had written. "Poe 's work - violent, frightening, romantic, and distinctly unwholesome - seemed made for the movies then, and now it still does" (Rafferty). In 1909, filmmaker D.W. Griffith made a short movie called Edgar Allan Poe, which shows Poe 's young wife on her death bed as he writes "The Raven". Five years later, Griffith directs The Avenging Conscience, that is largely based on Poe 's "The Tell-Tale Heart" and "Annabel Lee". The incorporation of each work is recognizable. "Annabel Lee 's" influence is prominent most in the beginning; a young man falls in love with a woman, but is prevented from seeing her by his uncle. The poem "Annabel Lee" is about a man who loses his lover; he writes about how upset he is at this loss and how nothing can, nor will come between them even in death. However, that is as far as the influence of Poe 's "Annabel Lee" goes before it mirrors "The

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