M.R. James

Writing

M.R. James

Born August 1, 1862 · Dover, Kent, England

Died June 12, 1936 · aged 73

Montague Rhodes James OM FBA was an English author, medievalist scholar and provost of King's College, Cambridge (1905–1918), and of Eton College (1918–1936). He was Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge (1913–15). James is best remembered for his ghost stories, which some consider among the best in the genre. He redefined the ghost story for the new century by abandoning many of the form…

Known For

Night of the DemonNight of the Demon · 1957
Night of the Demon
7.01957
MovieFantasyHorror
American professor John Holden arrives in London for a conference on parapsychology only to discover that the colleague he was supposed to meet was killed in a freak accident the day before. It turns out that the deceased had been investigating a cult lead by Dr. Julian Karswell. Though a skeptic, Holden is suspicious of the devil-worshiping Karswell. Following a trail of mysterious manuscripts, Holden enters a world that makes him question his faith in science.
The ChurchThe Church · 1989
The Church
6.11989
MovieHorror
In a Gothic cathedral built on the mass grave of a Teutonic purge, an ancient discovery by the new librarian will release an unholy maelstrom of madness, violence, and demonic vengeance.
Lost HeartsLost Hearts · 2007
Lost Hearts
10.02007
MovieHorror
A modern working of the 1893 M.R James ghost story Lost Hearts. An orphaned boy come to live with his reclusive relative, but there are strange manifestations in the house. The ghost children want vengeance - and they want it now.
The Tractate MiddothThe Tractate Middoth · 2013
The Tractate Middoth
7.12013
MovieThrillerMystery
The chilling story of Dr Rant, whose wicked streak continues from beyond the grave. Based on the festive ghost story by MR James. When a relative comes to find a particular book at the university library, young student Garrett is drawn into a family feud over a will and its legacy - with terrifying consequences.
Whistle and I'll Come to YouWhistle and I'll Come to You · 2010
Whistle and I'll Come to You
5.72010
MovieHorrorTV Movie
After placing his ailing wife Alice in a care home, elderly academic James Parkin goes to stay at a wintry out-of-season hotel which they used to visit together. But at night he seemingly becomes the victim of a ghostly revenge - but who is the avenger?
Number 13Number 13 · 2006
Number 13
6.32006
MovieHorrorTV Movie
In order to authenticate some historical papers in a cathedral town, Oxbridge academic Anderson stays at a local hotel in room 12, initially disregarding the lack of a number 13 as provincial superstition. During the night, noise conspires to keep him awake and the historian is astonished to come face to face with door number 13. Continuing his work, a history of a reformation era witchcraft scandal emerges. The nocturnal disturbances escalate, leading Anderson with no choice but to open the door to room number 13...
Living NightLiving Night · 2015
Living Night
2015
Movie
"Living Night", also known as "A Livermere Poem", was written by English scholar and ghost story writer Montague Rhodes James.
The Lost Will of Dr. RantThe Lost Will of Dr. Rant · 1951
The Lost Will of Dr. Rant
1951
MovieTV MovieHorror
An anxious old man who is searching for a rare edition of the Talmud finally tracks the tome down at a research library in Boston. But before he can get his hands on it, a hideous apparition intervenes.

Filmography

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OmnibusOmnibus · 1967
Omnibus
7.21967
SeriesDocumentary
Omnibus was an arts-based BBC television documentary series, broadcast mainly on BBC1 in the United Kingdom. The programme was the successor to the long-running arts-based series 'Monitor'. It ran from 1967 until 2003, usually being transmitted on Sunday evenings. During its 35-year history, the programme won 12 Bafta awards. Among the series' best remembered documentaries are Cracked Actor, a profile of David Bowie, and Rene Magritte, a graduate film by David Wheatley, 'Madonna: Behind the American dream', a film produced by Nadia Hagger, and a profile of the British film director Ridley Scott. For a season in 1982, the series was in a magazine format presented by Barry Norman. The series was replaced by 'Imagine' hosted by Alan Yentob.

Story