31 Days of Halloween – Universal Monsters

Story Found By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Cliqueclack
Written By: Chuck Duncan

I ran across this nice article about the classic Universal monsters:

If you love Halloween as much as we do, then you’ve come to the right place! Welcome to CliqueClack Flicks’ 31 Days of Halloween. All month long our coven of writers will dust off some of our favorite horror movies and discuss what makes them a seasonal favorite.

To kick off the month, we’ll start with what is arguably the movie famous and beloved collection of movie monsters ever committed to celluloid — the Universal Monsters: Dracula, Frankentstein, the Bride of Frankenstein, the Wolfman, the Mummy, and the Invisible Man (the Creature from the Black Lagoon is often lumped in with this group, but the Gill Man didn’t come along for another 20 years).

Dracula (1931) was based on a stage play which was based on Bram Stoker‘s novel — the first official adaptation of the book (Nosferatu was, infamously, nearly erased from existence when Stoker’s widow sued for infringement on the material). The movie, like the play, cast the debonair Bela Lugosi in the title role — a departure from the novel’s tall, elderly man with the long white mustache — to give the Count more of an air of sophistication and smoldering sexuality. The better to mesmerize you and drain your blood. If reports are to be believed, the film was so frightening to audiences that woman were fainting in the aisles. Today, it’s a slow, stage bound adaptation of a stage play (a Spanish version filmed at night on the same sets is considered by many to be far superior to this classic). Frightening or not, it certainly holds its place in history as an iconic horror movie.

Universal really struck it rich with its adaptation of Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein, and all the credit goes to director James Whale for his stunning visual style and his casting genius. This is the movie that made Boris Karloff a star, and unlike Lugosi, he managed to have a long, successful career (albeit, mostly in horror films) and is beloved by fans the world over. Besides Whale’s expert direction, Karloff’s performance lifts the Monster (mistakenly referred to by many as Frankenstein) from just a simple caricature to a creature with deep emotional turmoil. His iconic makeup scared the pants off of audiences in 1931, but they also felt sorry for the misunderstood creature as he plunged to his death in the flaming windmill at the end of the movie.

The movie was such a hit that Universal demanded a follow-up, so the Monster was resurrected (again) for The Bride of Frankenstein, which is considered to be one of the best monster movies ever made. Again, with Karloff’s performance, Whale’s directional influence (and Whale certainly managed to camp things up with some not very subtle homosexual subtext — two words: Ernest Thesiger) and the addition of Elsa Lanchester as both the Bride and Mary Shelly, this might actually be the first horror film with comedic overtones. Whether funny, scary or both, The Bride of Frankenstein is simply brilliant filmmaking all around.

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Just When You Thought It Was Safe To Go Back In The Casino! Universal Monsters Invade MONSTER JACKPOTS

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: WMS

I grabbed this little story off a press release about new slot machines that will be featured at the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas next week.

Slot machine manufacturer WMS has just come out with a new game that will feature the classic Universal monsters Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy, The Wolfman and The Creature From The Black Lagoon.

As many of you out there probably already know, I have spent many an hour in Vegas parked in front of the Creature From The Black Lagoon slot machine (photo left) dropping in my hard-earned money ....and loosing it. Regardless of my unlucky ways I always loved playing the game due to the wonderful graphics and animations. This new game promises more of the same so it would be safe to assume that when it comes out I will be dropping a twenty into it hoping that Lady Luck will finally smile on me.

Here is a brief description of Monster Jackpots from the press release:

Monster Jackpots: This new theme is the first game from WMS that features the classic Universal Studios Monsters(TM) such as Frankenstein, Dracula, Invisible Man, The Wolf Man, The Mummy, Creature from the Black Lagoon and Bride of Frankenstein in unique base games and bonus rounds. In the free spin bonus round, players select their own volatility level to try to capture Monsters and win a large jackpot. (initial approvals anticipated in the June 2012 quarter)

WMS also makes a kick-ass looking Star Trek slot machine called STAR TREK Battlestations. You can check that out HERE.

Just When You Thought It Was Safe Here Comes NINJAS vs MONSTERS

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: The Flick Cast

I know that the whole "Ninjas vs ..." stick has been overplayed on both sides of the Pacific but today I stumbled upon this while doing my usual online stalking ........ I mean research.

"Ninjas vs Monsters" is actually, as I discovered, the third film in a series produced by independent movie maker Justin Timpane and his crew at Endlight Entertainment. The first two being, of course, Ninjas Vs. Vampires and Ninjas Vs. Zombies.

As you may have guessed "Ninjas vs Monsters" is exactly what the title implies, Japanese assassins fighting an array of classic movie monsters including Dracula, Frankenstein, The Wolfman and The Mummy.

Here is the plot:

In this final installment, the Ninjas and their friends find themselves pitted against the most evil and memorable monsters of them all- Dracula, Frankenstein, the Mummy, the Werewolf, and MORE! Loaded with martial arts action, bloody horror, gun play, magic, comedy, pop-culture references, and a tightly woven twist-filled plot, NINJAS VS MONSTERS looks to be the biggest and best film in the trilogy.

Overall the film reminds me a little too much of Jesse Cook's "Monster Brawl" and about a dozen films made in Japan over the past half-decade, but Timpane got my attention with their promo video for Kickstarter:



Yes, they got a girl to take her top off ...... and that's a classy way to promote a movie!

No, honestly the guys look like they're having fun with the project which should translate into a fun film that doesn't take itself too seriously.

Horror Channel To Bring Hammer Classics To The UK In Time For Halloween

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Brutal As Hell / Ben Bussey

The Horror Channel in the UK has just acquired five classic horror films from the famed Hammer Film Productions. These new additions to the channel's library of scary features will not be sitting on the shelf, no indeed the network has queued them up in a series of Saturday features leading up to Halloween.

Is there a better way to spend your Saturday night than watching Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee and a parade of sexy British damsels?

I thought not.

Here is a list of the movies with air dates courtesy of our friends at Brutal As Hell:

Scars of Dracula (1970), 1st October, 11.10pm – One of Christopher Lee’s last Dracula films, in which his reluctance to reprise the role is painfully apparent. It’s an incoherent mess, and a poor representation of the usually reliable Lee and his late director Roy Ward Baker. But it does star a young Dennis Waterman, which immediately gives it novelty value for British viewers at least.

Frankenstein Created Woman (1967), 8th October, 11.10pm – From one of Hammer’s weakest to one of their absolute best, famously one of Martin Scorcese’s favourite films. Cushing returns as the immoral genius Frankenstein, who revives a vengeful spirit in a female body. In spite of its hammy title it’s actually very smart and sophisticated, and in some respects feels like an early example of a rape revenge film.

Blood from the Mummy’s Tomb (1971), 15th October, 11.10pm – Been a while since I’ve seen this one, and must admit it’s not too clear in my memory, but I do vividly recall Valerie Leon’s performance. Can’t think why…

The Plague of the Zombies (1966), 22nd October, 11.10pm - not unlike Frankenstein Created Woman, this is another of Hammer’s most socially conscious horrors, with a heavy class war subtext. It stands apart as something unique within the studio’s filmography, and a reminder of how zombies used to be before that Romero fellow showed up. You can read my full review here.

The Reptile (1966), 29th October, 11.10pm – another one I don’t remember that well, aside from the iconic image of the titular monster. I see from the press release that it was shot back to back with The Plague of the Zombies.

It should also be noted that Horror will also be airing episodes of the TV series "Hammer's House of Horror" before each movie.

Sounds like a bloody good time eh!

A Gallery Of Great Monster Movie Posters

Written By: Ken Hulsey

As many of you may or may not know collecting classic movie posters, lobby cards and photographs is a real passion of mine. I often times spend hours rummaging through thrift stores, antique malls, flea markets and yard sales looking for authentic movie related items. I have put together quite a collection and one day I hope to get everything framed and up on my walls.

That being said, I woke up this morning with monster movie posters on my mind so I decided to post a collection of some great ones here for all to enjoy.

What makes for a great monster movie poster? Well a great monster is a good start but as you can see from some of the examples here a great work of art can sometimes make a bad monster look good. Of course that is the general idea isn't it? After all the sole purpose for these posters were to put butts in theater seats.

Another great element that most great monster movie posters share is a sexy damsel in distress. Monster plus half-naked woman means box office gold ... or so was the general idea during the golden age of monster films.

A great example of a great monster movie poster is this one (above) from "When Dinosaurs Ruled The Earth". You have dinosaurs fighting in the background, a giant dinosaur eating a bikini-clad cave girl, people chained up, more bikini-clad cave girls and yet another bikini-clad cave girl with a spear front and center.

Would you want to see this movie? Oh, hell yes!

Here are more such posters, some with sexy girls and some without, some with great monsters and some without:

Reptilicus


A great poster here! A giant dragon taking out the Golden Gate Bridge. Too bad the movie didn't live up to this artwork.

Info:

Reptilicus, a giant monster film about a fictional prehistoric reptile, is a Danish-American co-production, produced by American International Pictures and Saga Studios, and is upon close examination two distinctly different films helmed by two different directors.

The original version, which was shot in Danish was directed by Danish director Poul Bang and released in Denmark on February 25, 1961.

The American version, which was in English with a nearly identical cast, was directed by the film's American producer-director Sidney W. Pink; this version was initially deemed virtually unreleasable by American International Pictures and had to be extensively reworked by the film's Danish-American screenwriter, Ib Melchior, before being finally released in America in 1962.

King Kong (1933)


Of all the zillions of King Kong posters that were produced this one has always been my favorite. Great colors, great action pose, what's not to love?

Info:

King Kong is a Pre-Code 1933 fantasy monster adventure film co-directed by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack, and written by Ruth Rose and James Ashmore Creelman after a story by Cooper and Edgar Wallace. The film tells of a gigantic island-dwelling gorilla-like creature called Kong who dies in an attempt to possess a beautiful young woman. The film stars Fay Wray, Bruce Cabot and Robert Armstrong and opened in New York City on March 2, 1933 to good reviews. Kong is distinguished for its stop-motion animation by Willis O'Brien and its musical score by Max Steiner. The film has been released to video, DVD, and Blu-ray, and has been computer colorized. In 1991, the film was deemed "culturally, historically and aesthetically significant" by the Library of Congress and selected for preservation in the National Film Registry.

The Green Slime

Again everything you want in a monster movie poster. A sexy girls, great monster art and great action. The movie ..... well not so good, but one of my faves none the less.

Info:

The Green Slime (ガンマー第3号 宇宙大作戦, Ganmā Daisan Gō: Uchū Daisakusen, aka Gamma 3: Operation Outer Space) is a 1968 science-fiction film produced by MGM in the United States and shot in Japan at the studios of Toei Company by director Kinji Fukasaku. The film was spearheaded by the same creative team who produced similar Italian outings including Wild, Wild Planet, Ivan Reiner and Walter Manley.

Frankenstein meets The Wolf Man


Two great monsters combine for one great poster. There's Frankie carrying off a woman in her night-gown .... ya gotta have that .... and you have The Monster and The Wolf Man trying to kick the crap out of each other. Nuff said.

Info:

Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man, released in 1943, is an American monster horror film produced by Universal Studios starring Lon Chaney, Jr. as the Wolf Man and Bela Lugosi as Frankenstein's monster. The movie was the first of a series of "ensemble" monster films combining characters from several film series. This film, therefore, is both the fifth in the series of films based upon Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and a sequel to The Wolf Man.

Frankenstein 1970


What can I say about this one? Great image of a sexy woman cowering in fear in the shadow of a truly grotesque looking Frankenstein silhouette. This one is just about perfect.

Info:

Frankenstein 1970 is a 1958 science fiction horror film, starring Boris Karloff and Don 'Red' Barry. This independent film was directed by Howard W. Koch, and its alternative titles were Frankenstein 1960 and Frankenstein 1975. Released on a low budget, the film was originally intended to be named Frankenstein 1960 but it did not sound futuristic enough. In October 2009, Warner Brothers released the DVD "Karloff & Lugosi Horror Classics" which includes Frankenstein 1970 as one of the four films and features an audio commentary by co-star Charlotte Austin and historians Tom Weaver and Bob Burns.

Destroy All Monsters


This is pure monster heaven! You have just about every great Japanese movie monster in one poster. Japanese monster posters are always amazing and this one stands out on top!

Info:

Destroy All Monsters, released in Japan as Charge of the Monsters (怪獣総進撃, Kaijū Sōshingeki), is a 1968 Japanese science fiction kaiju. The ninth in Toho Studios' Godzilla series, it was directed by Ishirō Honda with special effects by Sadamasa Arikawa (supervised by Eiji Tsuburaya.) This is the fifth film to feature Mothra, third to feature King Ghidorah, fourth to feature Rodan, and second to feature Gorosaurus, Anguirus, Kumonga, Manda, Minilla, Baragon, and Varan. This film is also considered that last of the more classical era of Showa films.

Bride of the Monster


Great classic vampire poster! Again the reoccurring theme of the monster (or in this case vampire) carrying off a rather buxom maiden. What's with the meatball with tentacles?

Info:

Bride of the Monster is a 1955 sci-fi horror film starring Bela Lugosi, along with Tor Johnson, Tony McCoy and Loretta King Hadler. It was produced, directed and co-written by Edward D. Wood, Jr.

A sequel, entitled Night of the Ghouls, was finished in 1959, but due to last-minute financial problems, was not released until 1987.

Blood From the Mummy's Tomb


With this one you don't even need a mummy in the poster to sell the film. A severed hand choking a buxom victim ... that's all you really need. I love the look of terror on the woman's face. Great poster!

Info:

Blood from the Mummy's Tomb is a 1971 British film starring Andrew Keir, Valerie Leon, and James Villiers. This was director Seth Holt's final film, and was adapted from Bram Stoker's novel The Jewel of Seven Stars. The film was released as the support feature to Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde.


Beast From Haunted Cave / Attack of the Crab Monsters / The Navy vs The Night Monsters





To save time I decided to lump these three posters together because what can be said for one can be said for all three. Sub-par monster movies with great posters! All three contain the classic monster menacing sexy woman theme, except for "The Navy vs The Night Monsters" where that sexy woman is none other than Mamie Van Doren. In fact all that the poster really needs is MAMIE VAN DOREN in huge letters with a picture of her in her underwear. No monster .... just MVD. Anyway it's a great poster with jets and a-bombs going off plus a bunch of killer trees on a rampage.

More movie posters to come in future articles so stay tuned!