His BBC backing allows him some remarkably exclusive access, from an exploration of the quite beautiful set from 1925вЂ™s The Phantom Of The Opera, which remarkably, still stands, to the make-up kit of that movieвЂ™s star, Lon Chaney Sr.Д®ven more insightful are GatissвЂ™ interviews with the ageing stars of those classics of early 20th century cinema, from Donnie Dunagan, who played the young Peter in Son Of Frankenstein and provides a wonderfully personal account of his appearance with the legendary Boris Karloff, to the recollections of Gloria Stuart, who starred in 1932вЂІs James WhaleвЂ™s The Old Dark House. In the first of a three part series, Gatiss explores the golden age of Hollywood horror, stretching from its early days in 1920s silent cinema through to the classic monster pictures of the 30s. A History Of Horror, meanwhile, sees Gatiss turn presenter for a very personal journey through his favourite genre, taking in globally accepted cultural touchstones вЂ“ James WhaleвЂ™s Frankenstein, Bela LugosiвЂ™s unforgettable turn as Dracula вЂ“ along with much admired but less obvious movies such as Cat People and The Body Snatcher.

Actor and writer Mark Gatiss is no stranger to the macabre, having made a considerable name for himself with the blackly comic The League Of Gentlemen.

Frankenstein chapter by chapter summary