STACK's Ultimate Monster Guide

Classic Monsters

1935

1941

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

“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!

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.

1943

1953

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

Jack Arnold’s subtext-rich creature feature originally made a big splash with audiences – after all, who could say no to an amorous gillman or the lure of the first underwater 3D movie?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.

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.

Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection is available as a Limited Edition Blu-ray Set at JB Hi-Fi – only while stocks last.