Monster-a-Day: Frankenstein

Boris Karloff stars in the quintessential monster film, Frankenstein directed by James Whale (1931). Leaner and hungrier (literally) than he would appear in 1935's Bride of Frankenstein, Karloff became an icon with this film.

Frankenstein at All Movie

Frankenstein at IMDb

Read Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (for free) at Project Gutenberg

or, listen to the book (also available free thanks to Project Gutenberg)

Monster-a-Day: Dracula

A native of Hungary, Bela Lugosi (born Béla Ferenc Dezsõ Blaskó) was nearly 50 years old when he played the iconic count in Tod Browning's 1931 Dracula. Dracula at All Movie

Dracula at IMDb

Read Dracula by Bram Stoker (for free) thanks to Project Gutenberg

or, listen to the book (also thanks to Project Gutenberg)

Monster-a-Day: The Mummy

Better known for his role as the creature in Frankenstein, Boris Karloff brings long "dead" Egyptian priest Imhotep to life with chilling results in 1932's The Mummy. A special nod to Karl Freund's direction, a great example of what one could do with a camera, even in the early '30s.

The Mummy at All Movie

The Mummy at IMDb

"The Mummy's Curse" (an article by John Warren at Tour Egypt)

Monster-a-Day: The Invisible Man

The classic H.G. Wells novel became a vehicle for Claude Raines (directed by James Whale of Frankenstein fame). A tale of the corrupting influence of power, The Invisible Man utilized landmark special optical effects that influenced generations of filmmakers.

The Invisible Man at All Movie

The Invisible Man at IMDb

Read The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells (for free) at Project Gutenberg

or, listen to the book (also available free thanks to Project Gutenberg)

Monster-a-Day: Phantom of the Opera

Phantom of the Opera (1925) made Lon Chaney a star and Universal the go-to studio for horror films in the 1930s. Give me spirit gum and imagination over digital effects any day.

Phantom of the Opera at All Movie

Phantom of the Opera at IMDb

Read The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux (for free) thanks to Project Gutenberg

New Edition of Frankenstein

A new edition of Frankenstein is available, one that hopes to "clarify" the authorship of the classic gothic novel. Newsweek ran a nice article a few weeks back. Check it out, and then grab yourself a copy of the book. (If you're a collector like me, you know you want to)

Speaking of Zombies

Zombies.

Love 'em or hate 'em, they're ala mode. Zombieland, while it looks entertaining, doesn't strike me as much of a thinking person's film. Tracing zombie roots to Voodoo isn't all that hard, but western culture has captured the fiends and created ghouls of its own for decades--undead monsters that deviate from the classic slaves of a powerful bokor (sorcerer). Although the Romeroesque zombies have been the fodder for the horror biz since the "ghouls" first stumbled up to a secluded farmhouse in the late '60s, they've received a few upgrades since gnawing on those chicken bones...a few wear track shoes and learned to sprint...others started to think (and remember).

A few questions still haunt me...late at night...when I'm thinking too much.

1. Why don't zombies eat each other? They obviously don't care that much about sanitation (just look at them) and are pretty indiscriminate about what they put in their mouths. I'm sure somebody has cooked up the "virus doesn't taste good" or "don't eat their own kind" argument, but that's just lame. In the real world, the whole zombie problem would probably be over in a few hours after the outbreak, just after they devour each other. The National Guard can wait around and pick off remainders.

2. Although popular, the whole "brains" idea is too restrictive. Zombies want meat. Brain meat is hard to attain. (ever try cracking that nut?) One would think the mindless rabble would simply chomp down on the convenience food...each other (see #1) or a nice juicy thigh with no bones to get in the way.

3. Why, if most living people caught by the horde are devoured, does the size of the zombie mob keep growing? It's not as though they take one bite, decide you taste bad, and move on to the next shrieking victim. I've watched plenty of disembowelings on film; those poor bastards aren't getting back up, even as a member of the undead.

4. Running zombies? Are you kidding? Ever try to do a 40 yard dash with rigor mortis? (Don't tell me zombies don't experience rigor mortis...they sure as hell look dead.)



I could go on, but why? Regardless of "reality", zombies are scary as hell and entertaining. I'm willing to suspend my disbelief just for the fun of it.

Zombie (Lucio Fulci, 1979)

What "reality gaps" are you willing to look past for a good gut-muncher?