Book excerpt: The history of ghost cinema, as well as the haunting literature upon which the films are often based, is a noble tradition. Ghost films go back as far as the era of the Silents. This Midnight Marquee Press volume presents respected film writers' personal analyses of their favorite ghost films. Not necessarily the best of the genre, but always films of merit. The Mt. Everest of ghost films--the acclaimed classics--The Uninvited, The Innocents, The Haunting--are of course included. But also many neglected cinema specters are covered: Carnival of Souls, Lady in White, Portrait of Jennie, High Plains Drifter, etc. Most of these films are known by the average film buff, but several titles included may not be recognized (but are equally of merit and should be sought out). Often Ghost films have been overlooked by film historians and critics alike. This revised collection of Cinematic Hauntings hopes to remedy the situation.