This one really needs no introduction. You've either seen it, or you've absorbed knowledge of it via cultural osmosis. Check out my post on it here!
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Throwback Thursday: It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!
Previously on this date: Son of Frankenstein (1939) and Halloween Wallpaper!
This one really needs no introduction. You've either seen it, or you've absorbed knowledge of it via cultural osmosis. Check out my post on it here!
This one really needs no introduction. You've either seen it, or you've absorbed knowledge of it via cultural osmosis. Check out my post on it here!
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Werewolf Wednesday: The Wolfman (2010)
Previously on this date: The Mummy (1932), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923) and DIY Vinyl Halloween figures!
2010's remake of the 1940s classic The Wolf Man was much maligned on its release, and not without reason. It's a very uneven film, and its good qualities-- such as the performances by its main cast-- are largely outweighed by its flaws. No matter what anyone thinks of the movie as a whole, however, one thing we can all agree on is that the werewolf designs and effects are fantastic!
2010's remake of the 1940s classic The Wolf Man was much maligned on its release, and not without reason. It's a very uneven film, and its good qualities-- such as the performances by its main cast-- are largely outweighed by its flaws. No matter what anyone thinks of the movie as a whole, however, one thing we can all agree on is that the werewolf designs and effects are fantastic!
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Transylvania Tuesday: Happy Birthday to Bela Lugosi!
Previously on this date: Werewolf of London and The Immortal Count: The Life and Films of Bela Lugosi!
In honor of the great Bela Lugosi's birthday, enjoy a bunch of photos from his life and career! You can check out all my posts about Bela right here. Enjoy!
Here's a shot of Bela as Jesus, from his stage days. Given his fame as Dracula, and the obsession many christian religions have with imbibing blood, it's a natural fit!
Here he is at the tender age of 18!
On the set of Glen or Glenda? with alleged movie director Ed Wood.
In honor of the great Bela Lugosi's birthday, enjoy a bunch of photos from his life and career! You can check out all my posts about Bela right here. Enjoy!
Here's a shot of Bela as Jesus, from his stage days. Given his fame as Dracula, and the obsession many christian religions have with imbibing blood, it's a natural fit!
Here he is at the tender age of 18!
On the set of Glen or Glenda? with alleged movie director Ed Wood.
Monday, October 19, 2015
Mummy Monday: The Mummy's Hand
Previously on this date: The Haunting (1963) and Gargoyles!
1940's The Mummy's Hand is not a well-remembered film. Frankly, I don't know that it deserves to be; it's just not very good. 1932's The Mummy, starring Boris Karloff, is easily one of the greatest of all horror films, and one of the crown jewels of Universal's series of horror classics. It's a shame that all of its sequels are, at best, mediocre.
That said, Tom Tyler certainly looked impressive in this picture, the first of those sequels to the 1932 classic. The makeup and costume were excellent, and his eyes were colored black in post-production, making for a genuinely creepy effect. As most of the photos we'll be looking at today are not stills from the finished film, however, this effect is only visible in one of them.
Costar Peggy Moran has a laugh with Tyler on the set.
That's it for today, but be sure to creep on back tomorrow for your regular Tuesday vampire fix!
1940's The Mummy's Hand is not a well-remembered film. Frankly, I don't know that it deserves to be; it's just not very good. 1932's The Mummy, starring Boris Karloff, is easily one of the greatest of all horror films, and one of the crown jewels of Universal's series of horror classics. It's a shame that all of its sequels are, at best, mediocre.
That said, Tom Tyler certainly looked impressive in this picture, the first of those sequels to the 1932 classic. The makeup and costume were excellent, and his eyes were colored black in post-production, making for a genuinely creepy effect. As most of the photos we'll be looking at today are not stills from the finished film, however, this effect is only visible in one of them.
Friday, October 16, 2015
Frankenstein Friday: Bride of Frankenstein art by comic book greats
Previously on this date: Horror of Dracula and House of Leaves!
Today we'll be taking a look at some awesome renditions of the Bride by a variety of comic artists! Enjoy!
Here's a pair by Hellboy creator Mike Mignola:
This one is by DC Animated Universe mastermind Bruce Timm:
Kevin Nowlan:
Bill Sienkiewicz: (And yes, I was able to spell that without checking.)
Art Adams:
Sadly, I don't know the artists responsible for the rest of these, but they're too great not to share! I definitely recognize the art style on some, but just can't quite put a name with it.
Today we'll be taking a look at some awesome renditions of the Bride by a variety of comic artists! Enjoy!
Here's a pair by Hellboy creator Mike Mignola:
This one is by DC Animated Universe mastermind Bruce Timm:
Kevin Nowlan:
Bill Sienkiewicz: (And yes, I was able to spell that without checking.)
Art Adams:
Sadly, I don't know the artists responsible for the rest of these, but they're too great not to share! I definitely recognize the art style on some, but just can't quite put a name with it.
Thursday, October 15, 2015
Throwback Thursday: Frankenstein (1910)
Previously on this date: Bride of Frankenstein and The Creature From the Black Lagoon figure!
When assigning themes to each day of the week, I had a couple of problems with Thursday. Frankly, there just aren't many alliterative words that would also make suitable themes. Hence, we'll go with the standard Thursday theme used across social media: Throwback Thursday. Since I'm only doing posts on the weekdays this October, there are quite a few worthy articles from the first couple of years of the blog that risk being ignored. So, on Thursdays this month, I'll choose one of those to re-represent for your enjoyment!
Today's throwback is the 1910 silent version of Frankenstein! It's interesting more as a historical curiosity than as genuine entertainment these days, but it won't take much of your time, and is readily available on Youtube. Check it out, and enjoy!
Today's throwback is the 1910 silent version of Frankenstein! It's interesting more as a historical curiosity than as genuine entertainment these days, but it won't take much of your time, and is readily available on Youtube. Check it out, and enjoy!
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Werewolf Wednesday: The Evolution of Lon Chaney Jr's Wolf Man
Previously on this date: The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and Frightening Frankenstein Figures!
The Wolf Man is one of the great monsters of the classic Universal canon, no doubt about it. Unique among the classic movie monsters, the hirsute horror was portrayed throughout his existence by a single actor: Lon Chaney Jr. Chaney Jr. is generally held in lesser regard than many of his peers, but I maintain that, while he was not as versatile as Karloff, Lugosi, or his own father, he was a good deal better than he is normally given credit for. today we're taking a look at a selection of photos and film stills to demonstrate how the look of the Wolf Man changed over the years.
Naturally, 1941's The Wolf Man is the place to begin.
His look was basically unchanged for several years, as this shot from 1944's House of Frankenstein shows.
However, once master makeup artist Jack Pierce was replaced with Bud Westmore, the makeup process was altered in several ways to make it quicker and easier. This was the result, seen in 1948's Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein.
These photos of Chaney's appearance as the Wolf Man on the 1960s TV series Route 66 display the importance of someone like Pierce or Westmore, not to mention an adequate makeup budget.
As a bonus, here's a nice shot of The Wolf Man co-star Evelyn Ankers pitching in.
Creep on back tomorrow for more classic horror goodness!
The Wolf Man is one of the great monsters of the classic Universal canon, no doubt about it. Unique among the classic movie monsters, the hirsute horror was portrayed throughout his existence by a single actor: Lon Chaney Jr. Chaney Jr. is generally held in lesser regard than many of his peers, but I maintain that, while he was not as versatile as Karloff, Lugosi, or his own father, he was a good deal better than he is normally given credit for. today we're taking a look at a selection of photos and film stills to demonstrate how the look of the Wolf Man changed over the years.
Naturally, 1941's The Wolf Man is the place to begin.
His look was basically unchanged for several years, as this shot from 1944's House of Frankenstein shows.
However, once master makeup artist Jack Pierce was replaced with Bud Westmore, the makeup process was altered in several ways to make it quicker and easier. This was the result, seen in 1948's Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein.
These photos of Chaney's appearance as the Wolf Man on the 1960s TV series Route 66 display the importance of someone like Pierce or Westmore, not to mention an adequate makeup budget.
As a bonus, here's a nice shot of The Wolf Man co-star Evelyn Ankers pitching in.
Creep on back tomorrow for more classic horror goodness!
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Transylvania Tuesday: Bram Stoker's Dracula
Previously on this date: Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man and The Monster Squad!
Few horror films are as divisive as Francis Ford Coppola's 1992 release Bram Stoker's Dracula. Personally, I consider it an interesting failure. There are some issues with the script, some baffling casting-- you know who I'm talking about-- and several strange creative decisions. At the same time, it's visually stunning, with some very nice makeup effects and costumes, and it boasts one of my favorite scores from any movie. It's also the only film adaptations (as far as I'm aware) of Stoker's story that portrays the Count as a creepy, elderly man who becomes young after he consumes blood, as in the novel. Today, our focus is on Gary Oldman's portrayal of the titular Count. Whatever gripes you may have with this movie, it cannot be denied that Oldman is amazing throughout.
Few horror films are as divisive as Francis Ford Coppola's 1992 release Bram Stoker's Dracula. Personally, I consider it an interesting failure. There are some issues with the script, some baffling casting-- you know who I'm talking about-- and several strange creative decisions. At the same time, it's visually stunning, with some very nice makeup effects and costumes, and it boasts one of my favorite scores from any movie. It's also the only film adaptations (as far as I'm aware) of Stoker's story that portrays the Count as a creepy, elderly man who becomes young after he consumes blood, as in the novel. Today, our focus is on Gary Oldman's portrayal of the titular Count. Whatever gripes you may have with this movie, it cannot be denied that Oldman is amazing throughout.
Monday, October 12, 2015
Mummy Monday: Christopher Lee edition
Previously on this date: Freaks (1932) and Monster Muumuu Heads!
While Christopher Lee is best known as Dracula in the long-running Hammer series-- outside of the Lord of the Rings movies, anyway-- he also had a memorable turn as the bandage-swathed menace alongside Peter Cushing in Hammer's 1959 version of The Mummy. While I've made no secret that I consider this a pretty mediocre movie, the makeup effects are quite good. The role as scripted gives Lee nothing to work with, as this movie goes with the mummy as a shambling automaton, rather than the enthralling threat of the Karloff version, his physicality and the costume make for a visually interesting monster nonetheless.
While Christopher Lee is best known as Dracula in the long-running Hammer series-- outside of the Lord of the Rings movies, anyway-- he also had a memorable turn as the bandage-swathed menace alongside Peter Cushing in Hammer's 1959 version of The Mummy. While I've made no secret that I consider this a pretty mediocre movie, the makeup effects are quite good. The role as scripted gives Lee nothing to work with, as this movie goes with the mummy as a shambling automaton, rather than the enthralling threat of the Karloff version, his physicality and the costume make for a visually interesting monster nonetheless.
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