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Jack Arnold’s subtext-rich creature feature originally made a big
splash with audiences – after all, who could say no to an amorous
gillman or the lure of the first underwater 3D movie? The film
opens boldly with no less than the creation of the world, and a
highly suspect scientific explanation concerning our lineage to
the undersea realm (Mr Fishy,
we’re not so different you and
I). Then it’s off on a jungle river
cruise with Julie Adams, who
(understandably) becomes
the object of desire for the
eponymous creature. Not only
is the gillman an “amphibious
missing link”, he’s also the
progenitor of a horde of aquatic
creatures that followed in his
wake.
Taking full advantage of the spectacular arrival of Technicolor,
Universal’s Phantom immediately distinguishes itself as a more lavish
version of Gaston Leroux’s classic tale than its silent 1925 predecessor
(which starred the ‘Man of a Thousand Faces’, Lon Chaney). Moreover,
the 1943
Phantom of the Opera
brings more humanity to the romantic
tale of a beauty and her beast; complemented by extravagant sets and
costume design. Claude Rains revels in the role of a man in pursuit of
his passions, who, after a misunderstanding, is disfigured and forced
to take refuge in
the subterranean
underworld of the
Paris sewers. His
Phantom remains one
of the best screen
incarnations of this
tortured character,
and this version is the
perfect alternative
for those who can’t
stomach Andrew
Lloyd Webber.
“Even a man who is pure in heart and says his prayers by night,
may become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms and the autumn
moon is bright.” George Waggner’s
TheWolf Man
introduced the
mythology of the werewolf in a film that was the signature role
for Lon Chaney Jr. This classic tale has
transformed countless times onscreen
in the decades since its release, but
few werewolf flicks compare to the
Chaney groundbreaker, with its simplistic
man-to-wolf transformation, dense
atmosphere and literate script. The all
too brief inclusion of Bela ‘Dracula’
Lugosi only adds to the reputation of
this granddaddy of all werewolf films.
Something to howl about!
1935
1943
1953
1941
Universal Classic
Monsters:
The Essential Collection
is available as a
Limited Edition Blu-ray Set
at JB Hi-Fi
– only while stocks last.
More than just a sequel,
Bride of Frankenstein
is a reflection of director
James Whale, as his own personality shines through in this wonderful
blend of humour and horror. A more superior film than
Frankenstein
,
the sequel truly brings the monster to life. Karloff the actor stands tall,
allowing us to warm to a creature who just wants to love – and to be
loved. It’s even more apparent in
Bride
as to how misunderstood the monster
really is, and the real villain emerges in
the form of the evil Dr Pretorius.
Bride
of Frankenstein
gave us the first (and
perhaps only) iconic female monster,
and injected the genre with camp
black comedy. And let’s not forget it’s
also one of the greatest horror films
of all time. Never the bridesmaid.
Classic Monsters