COMMONSCUT

Commons Cut Contributors

Guest pieces from people who know their stuff.

Now and then we hand the page to a writer or researcher whose work we admire. We edit each piece in our style, credit every source, and swap in public-domain images.

  • Halloween 2026Classic Horror Behind the Scenes

    Three Dracula Myths That Won’t Stay Dead

    The Valentine’s Day premiere, Lon Chaney’s lost Count and David Manners’s big paycheck. Each one comes apart when you check the newspapers and the contracts.

    By Bill Fleck

Want to write for Commons Cut? We run occasional guest pieces on the strange stories behind familiar classics, and every piece carries the writer’s byline, bio and links. Pitch us at contribute@commonscut.com.

Commons Cut · free every week

Get stories like this in your inbox, free.

The strange stories behind familiar classics, in a free weekly newsletter, on the website, and in short videos. Free every Tuesday. Issue No. 2 is out now: Was trick-or-treating born on Thanksgiving?

Free when you subscribe: the Public Domain Day 2027 cheat sheet (PDF).

New issue every week. Unsubscribe anytime.

Want the full, true story behind each work? See The Director’s Cut, our paid edition.

from Half-In Productions