Back in the 1980's and early 1990's, when I was still a kid, I loved Halloween even more than I do now. That is quite a lot. Back in those days there was no internet. All the monster movies I loved I had to either hope that the local video store had it in or watch them on TV. It seems ridiculous now that we all had to rely on TV guide or newspaper listings and then be in front of the box on time to see the shows and movies we wanted to.
Those wonderful classic creatures. Mad scientists and other such psychotically obsessed brains of men, manimals and madames. They graced our boxy screens filling our eyes with imaginary evil for an hour or two. This ghoulish glow was skillfully guided to our morbid minds by the guillotine-sharp wit of those gnarly, knowledgeable, macabre MC's. Let's begin then...
Part I: The Terror Tzars
Vincent Leonard Price. His film and theatre career spanned 7 decades. With his wife, Mary he founded the ELAC Vincent Price Art Museum in 1957. He's worked with everyone from Alice Cooper, to Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones. From Roger Corman and Tim Burton, to Hanna Barbera and The Muppets. He has, even almost 20 years after his death, probably the most recognizable voice of any American actor there has ever been. He was also a consumate gourmet. He published several cookbooks and once demonstrated to TV audiences how to cook fish in a dishwasher on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show.
As far as I'm concerned, he was an absolutely, one-of-a-kind, theatrical genius. His range was fantastic. He was extremely exceptional at both dramatic and comedic acting and had a unique way of blending the two, brilliantly. He has been portrayed multi-generationally on SNL by Dan Aykroyd, Michael McKean, and Bill Hader. Whether it was his awesome, masterful depictions of Poe's tormented characters in Corman's classic AIP films, or helping out Scooby and Scrappy on "The 13 Ghosts of Scooby Doo", Vincent always appeared to give 100% and he always seemed to be having a great time doing it.
Anyone could easily write an entire bio-blog on this man's timeless and brilliant contributions to American horror film/culture. However, his own daughter, Victoria, has fortunately saved us all the trouble. In her bio-memoir, Vincent Price: A Daughter's Biography she presents the most involved, personal and definitive volume that could ever possibly be written about the man. Every Halloween, his spirit, carried by his distinct voice is always a welcome ghostly guest in my home, and I'm sure, millions of others.
 |
| If you can't name 'em all, You shouldn't even be reading this. |
In the spirit of the season, I would be damned if I didn't mention the Universal Monsters, one and all. Not just the legendary monsters themselves but where they come from and the equally legendary actors who portrayed them.
Phantom of the Opera (1925): A silent film based on the 1911 novel by Gaston Leroux who also created France's Sherlock Holmes, Joseph Rouletabille. It stars the legendary Lon Chaney (Sr.) who was also put the Hunch in the Hunchback of Notre Dame 2 years prior and who sired legendary Wolf-Man/Frankenstien/Mummy character actor, Lon Chaney Jr. The film ends for the Phantom, as it does for most human-sized monsters: death by angry mob.
Dracula (1931): I believe I covered this one already. (see Fright Flick List Part 1-Vampires) One more note about Lugosi...He was supposedly going to play Frankenstein too, but quit. Despite this, he did go on to play both Igor (in Son of Frankenstein) and the Monster (in Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman).
Frankenstein (1931): Boris Karloff starred in numerous sci-fi and horror films during his 50 years as a film actor. None were so memorable or revered as his role as the Monster in Frankenstein. Thanks to make-up effects innovations by OG monster-maker, Jack Pierce (who also did Frank's Bride, Dracula, the Mummy, the Invisible Man and the Wolf Man among dozens of others) and Karloff's performance, an icon was born in this film. I also really liked Karloff as Cary Grant's sadistic older brother in Arsenic & Old Lace and love his narration of the Grinch every Christmas. Something not a lot of Americans know is how massively popular and influential Frankenstein was in Japan. It was Ishiro Honda's inspiration for Godzilla, among other things. The Monster also inspired Jack Kirby and Stan Lee to create the Incredible Hulk.
The Mummy (1932): Although it never clearly admits to it, the plot of this film is taken from a Sir Arthur Conan Doyle short story called "The Ring of Thoth." It's actual script was written by John L. Balderston who had allegedly covered Tut's Tomb opening for NY World 10 years earlier and had helped adapt both Mary Shelley and Bram Stoker's books into screenplays. Again, Karloff steals the show with his kick-ass character acting. I don't count any of the Brendan Fraser versions of the Mummy movies because they all suck sandy shit.
The Invisible Man (1933): I love this movie. I love H.G. Wells' story better. The book is almost always better than the movie is though. Especially when that book is written by H.G. Wells. Anyway, Karloff was originally supposed to play Griffin. If he had this would have been a very different film to be sure. One interesting thing about, Claude Rains... He was apparently claustrophobic. Therefore a double was often used instead of Rains in the bandaged mask. This can be seen because the double was shorter and had an a huge nose which was very pronounced even with the bandages over it.
Bride of Frankenstein (1935): Elsa Lanchester played the titular monster as well as Mary Shelley in this movie based somewhat on a sub-plot of the original tale. I say somewhat because it takes so many liberties with Shelley's writing. It's always worth a watch. Even if it's just to see Karloff as the Monster again and his old lady's crazy-ass hair. Classic.
Wolf Man (1941): Yup. Covered it. (see Fright Flick List Part 2-Werewolves)
Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954): The Gillman, as he came to be known, was originally played by Ricou Browning underwater and by Ben Chapman on land. It's design was created by either Millicent Patrick or Bud Westmore, depending who you talk to. (I say Millie.) Its head was modelled after some 17th century woodcuts of a beast called the "Sea Monk"while its body was intended to resemble Oscar. Despite its revolutionary-for its-time underwater cinematography, it won none.
Obviously this is just the iconic tip of the iceburg as far as Universal Monster films go. Watch them and scope out the extra features on the dvds for more info if you need it. Also TCM is a great way to watch them because they have so much film expertise at their disposal. The hour grows late, and we must move on...
Part II: Those Anchors of Rancor
 |
| The Crypt Keeper (aka John Kassir) |
We'll start with the host who had the most. Stars, that is. Tales from the Crypt was not at all like the other shows listed below because each week it offered its own self produced teleplays. In the tradition of Twilight Zone, it also had an eclectic blender-full of famous people who starred in its vile vignettes. It's alumni include 2 James Bonds (Dalton and Craig), Supermen Cristopher Reeve and Richard Donner (as a director) and even Lois Lane too (Margot Kidder). It had great theatrical actors like Malcom McDowell, John Lithgow and Bob Hoskins, TV legends like Adam West and Sam Waterson and everyone from Don Rickles, Dan Aykroyd and Steve Buscemi to Meat Loaf, Iggy Pop and Slash. It had weird guest directors too, like Tom Hanks, Michael J. Fox, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. A truly fantastic show which never took itself too seriously, Tales from the Crypt was originally a comic book although almost none of the show's stories came from its pages. The show was on HBO for 7 seasons and spinned-off 2 more shows, and 3 feature films.
 |
| the 2 variant theme songs explain the plot perfectly. Watch: Joel's / Mike's |
If you're like me, and I know I am, you love bad B-movies almost as much as the artistry of great films. MST3K or Mystery Science Theater 3000 took that love to a whole new level. It used some of the local (Minneapolis/St.Paul in this case) cult horror host formula but then boosted it into a whole new orbit, having the hosts actually watch the b-movie with you and make fun of it as it played. It had a basic plot and a myriad of characters rather than just one host coming in with jokes and trivia at the commercials. The show's creator and first host, Joel Hodgeson (in the red jumpsuit) created the show and built all the original sets (The Satellite of Love, Gizmonics Institute) and robots (Gypsy, Tom Servo and Crow T. Robot). He left the show in the middle of season 5 and head writer Mike Nelson took over from then until it's end in season 10. Thanks to an extremely loyal fan base (including myself), and the show's own encouraged circulation of tapes by them, MST3K survives today on the internet. A hilarious and amazing addition to media culture and one of the most fun TV shows to ever surf the airwaves. By far, my favorite on this list.
Joe Bob Briggs (aka John Irving Bloom) hosted TNT's best-ever program Monstervision from 1995 until its unfortunate demise in 2000. He was a great comedian and would intro each movie with his signature "Drive-In Totals" which included the following film's boob and body count. All this despite TNT always censoring this content. Joe Bob became a somewhat outspoken but humorous opponent of this censorship and incorporated it into the program.
The Original Svengoolie (aka Jerry G. Bishop shown above) was the horror host toasted most in the Chicagoland area. He was one of the innovators of this type of program, at least he was one that got a strong fan following. His Svengoolie aired from 1970-73. The "Son of Svengoolie" ( aka Rich Koz, a writer on the original show) resurrected it and remains Svengoolie to this day. Svengoolie can still be seen on the ME (Memorable Entertainment) channel on Saturday nights at 10pm.
Last but most certainly not least is the host of WTOG's Creature Feature (1971-1995), the late great Dr. Paul Bearer (Dick Bennick 1928-1995). This was the horror host I grew up with. He would come on every Saturday and greet you with "Good Afternoon...whatever you are." Each week there was "...another horrible movie for you kids..." which whenever I was home I was sure to watch. In fact it was probably this show that initially sparked my own interest in b-grade horror. Thanks Doc. In honor of this great man, I'll sign off this edition just as he would have...
"I'll be lurking for you."
Happy Halloween Everybody!!!
-2012 Wielgorecki
No comments:
Post a Comment