Known as “the father of the modern ghost story” M.R.James left a rich legacy for the authors of supernatural tales, and Lawrence Gordon Clark adapted, produced and directed perhaps the finest example of haunting television, which continues to influence literature, television, film and interactive fiction. A few possible examples are mentioned below:

Sapphire & Steel: An eerie, and complex fantasy series from the early 1980’s. Follow two time agents as they encounter vengeful ghosts, haunted locations and the malevolent “darkness”. A subtle use of lighting and dramatic tension build memorable scenes, and contribute to the UK’s rich tapestry of supernatural fiction. Haunted railway stations, 'beings' who can hide in photographs, and an all prevailing sense of doom still reverberate from the series, decades after its conception. A series of audio adventures are due for release, and I will add a link when they become available. Till then, for an excellent synopsis and examination, try the Sapphire & Steel website: Info : Buy
   
The Lost Crown: a ghosthunting adventure
The Lost Crown: is a scary, and thrilling, new adventure title inspired by classic ghoststories and today's modern ghosthunting techniques. The haunting works of Charles Dickens, M.R.James, Arthur Conan Doyle and E.F.Benson combine with night-vision cameras, E.V.P and other ghosthunting gadgets to bring a frightening story to gamers in Spring 2006. Learn to use advanced techniques used by real paranormal investigators, and uncover an ancient mystery, and treasure. Info : News
   
The Others: Hollywood returns to the classic ghost story. Very briefly. The Others is a fascinating, and scary film, with atmospheric photography and a brilliant musical score. With unexpected twists, and an intelligent moral, the influence of James and Clark is obvious to see. Nicole Kidman brings humanity to a complex role, and Alejandro Amenábar directs a modern supernatural classic. The fog shrouded house is a memorable and effective stage, and proves that modern cinema can still think small. Info : Buy
   
Dark Fall: Both the writing of James, and the direction of Clark were very much in mind when I wrote the story for Dark Fall, and Dark Fall 2. A deserted train station, and isolated hotel hark back to early horror films, while the story is definitely a warning to the unsuspecting. Writing computer games doesn’t have to mean blood and guts, and clumsy horror, instead I focused on a progressively suggestive atmosphere and subtle soundtrack. The New York Times went onto to say Dark Fall “outshines the rest of the years commercial adventures”. Info : Buy
   
The Ring: Both this original, and the US remake, are highly effective chillers. There’s a strong influence from “Warning” at work, revolving around a video tape which you are warned not to watch. Curiosity gets the better of the characters (victims in waiting), and a vengeful ghost haunts their lives for 7 days, and then kills them with a nasty stare. Inventive, atmospheric and intelligent. Nakata Hideo’s (Director) and Hiroshi Takahashi (writer) contribution to modern supernatural storytelling should not be underestimated, or undervalued. Info : Buy
   
The Grudge (Ju-on): Japan, again, providing the most chilling and effective ghost stories. There are suggestions that buildings themselves can be haunted, and malevolent. Both this original, and it’s US remake, feature phantoms with long drawn-out white faces, which immediately remind me of James’s fascination with the ghost puppet (from Punch & Judy). Scary faces indeed. Info : Buy
   
The Blair Witch Project: With no actual witch, or obvious horror gimmicks, this excellent horror utilises the landscape, inky darkness and creepy sounds to suggest the horrors hidden beyond the cinematic view. Both we, and the characters, let our curiosity get the better of us... to terrifying results. Ed Sanchez and Dan Myrick expertly build tension throughout the film, and the domestic quality of the footage increases realism. The film could be the best example of modern supernatural film making. Info : Buy
   
Dark Water: Can a stain on a domestic ceiling really be indicative of a malevolent haunting?? Writer Koji Suzuki and director Hideo Nakata (The Ring) certainly wish us to believe just that. Suzuki is an expert horror writer, using simple everyday items to evoke depression, anxiety and fear. The brightly lit stairways of an apartment block, the dripping tap and a bland elevator have never been used this effectively in supernatural fiction. The tagline is a great homage to "Warning": “Some mysteries were never meant to be solved.” Info : Buy
   
The Stone Tape: Nigel Kneale’s rather shouty 1972 drama is a perfect comparison to Clark’s “Warning to the Curious”. The graceful and haunting sand dunes of the latter are replaced by 70’s interiors, modern dialogue and a scientific approach to paranormal investigation. It was all jolly exciting at the time, but looks (and sounds) rather bombastic now. At it’s heart, though, this drama is definitely a warning to the curious, just in a very different style. The drama went on to influence Stephen Volk, when writing Ghostwatch (see below) and has given weight to a theory used in modern parapsychology, "The Stone Tape Theory", in which the actual building stores historical information, to be replayed at certain times. It's a delicious idea, and all the more interesting given its dramatic roots. It's a shame the ghosthunters and parapychologists of today are less inventive, and lack imagination. Info : Buy
   


Ghostwatch: Stephen Volk's 'screenplay' for the BBC Screen One series was a strange beast. A mockumentry (before the term was coined) in which amateur ghosthunters (in the form of Blue Peters Sarah Green & Red Dwarfs Craig Charles) spend the night in a supposedly haunted suburban council house. Meticulously planned and executed, the show holds up very well several years later. 'Live' TV was a reasonably new phenomenon at the time, and provided much of the edge the show still exhibits, helped hugely by the pressence of autumnal favourite Micheal Parkinson. It is, without doubt, the reason why Living TV's 'MostHaunted' is a huge success. It may have caused the BBC a few headaches at the time of transmission, but don't believe the hype which suggests the beeb has tried to bury the show. A DVD was released two years ago, and the Cult section of the BBC website proudly hosts features and interviews. Ghostwatch is as close as it gets to 'modern supernatural fiction', and I believe James would have found it most entertaining. Info : Buy