I'm not qualified to answer what the best horror of all time is. Not all the old B/W movies are amazing, but some are. For example, Nosferatu, and the Cabinet of Dr Caligri.

Well, you have the acclaimed classics which are, generally, agreed by most as a cut above the rest. (Now where do you suppose that reference comes from...? XD ) Such as, The Exorcist, Psycho which you must have already seen if you like black and whites, The Evil Dead or Romero's classics. Some lesser movies but with as much of a cult following include the first Halloween, the Nightmare on Elm Street series or if you want more mature and sophisticated horror, Silence of the Lambs or Bram Stoker's Dracula, which is a great rendition of the older black and white originals-but with more style. :) Newer horror films praised as success are things like countless Americanized Japanese horror such The Grudge which it, and its like minded films are all the rage now... let's not forget revitalized slashers such as the Scream series or brand new concepts, Saw. But, that doesn't mean you'll enjoy all of these. The horror genre may be trite to many, but it's actually very expended and colourful, and basically has its sub genres. You can start with some of the classics to get a general idea, but true great horror is found through digging and experimentation. Many of the really decent ones are overshadowed and barely make a peep, due to controversy and a wussy mainstream audience, but up to that point it highly depends on personal taste, and favoured horror concept. :/ And this can range from the fifties to now. Most of my favourite horror is older stuff, but I certainly don't say no to the countless remakes of today. I can't decide this for someone else, I can only suggest that horror is a lot more complex then the general credit accepts, there are a lot of lakes to go swimming into...>_>

You're in LA area. Have you seen the '56 "THEM"? Have you seen the 70's "Dawn Of The Dead"? the new one isn't bad, but ... . Some of the Buffy's and Angel's are as good as any movie. In it's own way "Dr. Strangelove" is a must view.

Texas Chainsaw massacre part two even tho they spend the whole movie chasing people with chainsaws the charators have a lovable quality

for me it was jaws-it makes me even leery of going into a swimming pool