Masks have been used in religious rites, theatrical productions, and movies. In this book Doug Bradley, better known as Pinhead from Hellraiser, delves into the world of makeup and masks. The book is structured chronologically beginning with a historical view of masks that moves on to the classic horror movie actors; Lon Chaney, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney Jr., and Christopher Lee to name a few. He also interviewed several newer horror film actors including Robert England and the many stuntmen who have played Jason and Michael Myers. He sprinkles here and there memories from his own career and then ends the book with chapters devoted to his work on Hellraiser.

It was interesting to find out how the movie make up was applied and the hardships that the actors went through. It truly seemed to transform them into different people. Boris Karloff endured a lot to create his beloved monster, so much so that he helped to establish the Screen Actors Guild so that actors have a voice when it comes to harsh treatment on film sets.

I am not a fan of Pinhead. I read this book because I am a fan of the classic horror films from Universal and Hammer Studios. Except for a very interesting chapter at the beginning on the history of mask use in the theater and the chapters on older monster film legends, this book was disappointing. Bradley is a good writer and he kept my attention throughout the book, but it is geared toward the fans of Bradley’s work and I am not a fan. If you like both the older and newer horror films especially the films of Doug Bradley then you will enjoy this book much more than I did. ( )