TUESDAY'S TOP FIVE: CLASSIC HORROR MOVIE MONSTERS
BY JENNIFER M. CONTINO
He did the mash, he did the monster mash …. I love Halloween. Partly because of the great childhood memories I have of trick or treating and partly because of the classic movie monsters that I grew up fearing. It's fun to have a little bit of healthy scared out of your wits in your life and those black and white horror movies delivered! So today, in honor of the holiday hitting this week, I'm listing my Top Five Classic Horror Movie Monsters! Be sure to tell me which classics would make your list as well ….

THE BLOB
I watched this for the first time when I was really, really young with my dad. He remembered seeing it at the movie theaters when it was originally released. It scared me majorly, because the idea of this jello like creature just taking over and annihilating anything/everything in its path was frightening. Of course, seeing it now, I'm more amused than terrified, but it still remains a classic in my mind. The story is fun, the horror isn't that bad for the average viewer, and the payoff at the end is well worth it.

LON CHANEY JR.'S THE WOLFMAN
I've seen a lot of Wolfmen in my life, but there's just something about the way Lon Chaney Jr. brought the character to life that really hit a chord with me. His fangs, the fur covering his hands and face, those claws, the eerie look in his eyes – Chaney Jr. really brought his A-game for this character! He made me wary of full moons and long to have a silver bullet always available, though I don't know what good it would do me without a gun. Chaney Jr. is the Wolfman. A lot will try, but few will ever imitate to perfection the dastardly way he brought this horror icon to life. I still get a few shivers when I think of seeing him transform into the Wolfman. He's a howly terror!

THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON
I was a big swimmer when I was little. Anywhere there was water, I liked to get in. So, seeing something so horrific rise from a watery place really freaked me out. But, as with the Blob oozing through the streets and taking anything it its path out, I couldn't turn away from the Creature from the Black Lagoon or stop imagining what it would be like if this freaky being would someday rise out of my Grandma's pool. Of course, you know there's no chance of that happening? (But I did feel a little better a few years after seeing this when Gram got rid of her pool.) The Creature is a classic that will have you longing for these old time films that left a lot to the imagination. (And, let's face it, most of our imaginations are way better than what actually unfolds on the small screen!)

BELA LUGOSI'S DRACULA
No one brought the Prince of Darkness to life like Bela Lugosi. He was horrific, terrifying, frightening and charismatic. He truly was like the Count and so believable in the role that you couldn't help but be impressed. I still remember what it felt like seeing his eyes peer out above his cape and seeing those fangs. Ugh! He was quite imposing. Like Chaney Jr. he believed in the role and lived, breathed, died Dracula. Even today, I'll still get a few tingles down my spine when I see him in any of his Dracula appearances. Lugosi is an icon and deserves to be one. Many have tried to capture the magic that he presented in the role, but hardly anyone has played it with as much gusto as Lugosi. Bravo!


BORIS KARLOFF'S FRANKENSTEIN'S MONSTER
My absolute favorite, and not just because his movie with Bud Abbott and Lou Costello is one of my all-time favorites, is Boris Karloff and his rendition of Frankenstein's Monster. He was a striking figure, dark and foreboding. He had little dialogue, but could turn the most guttural of sounds into a frightening symphony. I wouldn't want to meet him in a dark alley or even in a well lit one. He was the king of the monsters in my mind. I think he was the best horror icon EVER! Karloff didn't shy away from playing the monster, he embraced it and the lexicon of horror is all the better for his work.

TOP FIVE BONUS!


Just as a bonus, I'm including my favorite movie that incorporated so many horror icons, Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein! It's something of a Halloween tradition for me, and, if you've never seen it, I suggest renting it today! If you're a fan of classic horror, you won't be disappointed!

Fantastic!

If you like please check out my Movie Monster Series at http://blog.rough-sea.com

Best,

Chris

The Blob featured a young Steve McQueen.

The Lone Ranger would be an ideal escort to fend off werewolves on a moonlit night.

I had the honor of meeting the late Ben Chapman, who portrayed the Creature Of The Black Lagoon. Mr. Chapman was the Gill Man on land, while Ricou Browning did the underwater work.

He was delighted to know that people still remembered the Creature, the last of the Classic Universal Monsters.

Kudos to Lugosi and honorable mention to Christopher Lee, who likewise elicted terror and attraction as the Count Dracula of Hammer Films.

Likewise, I enjoyed those Hammer Films with Peter Cushing as Van Helsing or Baron Frankenstein facing off against Christopher Lee as Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, and the Mummy.

"Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein" was a classic, with Glenn Strange as the Monster.

The actor was also an avid comic book collector and reader.

did you know that Bela Lugosi was laid out and buried in his Dracula costume. If your interested in seeing a pic you can view it at www.findeath.com under directory under the "L" its not gross just looks likes he is Dracula in a coffin pretty neat.

Wolf Man, Dracula and Frankenstein's monster are definitely good choices. I'm a little disappointed that Karloff's Mummy didn't make the list.

However, there are just so many great monsters and actors who played them that it's hard to pick just five. The Blob and Creature from the Black Lagoon are both good examples of well-made '50s sci-fi/horror.So, it's nice to have them in the list.

Other highly notable possibilities are Lon Chaney's original Phantom of the Opera and Fredric March as possibly the scariest of all the monsters, the cunningly evil Edward Hyde.

If I was doing a Top Ten the Mummy and Hyde would have made that list, as would the Invisible Man. I'll leave you to guess who my last two would have been to fill out a Top Ten.
Jen

Excellent list. I've always loved the creature from the Black lagoon, and preferred the classic monsters to the more modern "slasher" or "torture porn" movies.

Of the modern era, I do think Freddy Krueger stands out as the most iconic.

I've never seen Abbott and Costello... and I'll have to look for that. However, I'll suggest a couple of other ones.

Mad Monster Party, the Rankin-Bass animated feature, with Phyllis Diller as Mrs. Frankenstein.

It, The Terror from beyond Space, the 1950's B movie version of Alien. It still holds up well.

I like It.

I only saw Mad Monster Party once when I was a little girl. I might have to look for that on DVD.

If you like classic monsters, you should buy the Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein. I don't think you'll be disappointed!
Jen

I just rented Abbott and Costello..., watched the first half with my son, and it's a riot - especially the scene with the revolving door. Thanks for the recommendation Jen.

As a counter-recommendation, try downloading some of the old time Abbott and Costello radio shows - especially the one where they meet Peter Lorre. It's a hoot, and you can get this stuff for free on the web.

I have a bunch of Abbott and Costello DVDs. I love the duo. Some of my happies childhood memories are watching Abbott and Costello movies on Sunday mornings before church. I wish they still showed those on a regular basis. This Abbott and Costello Meets Frankenstein is my absolute favorite one! Though I do like The Time of Their Lives a WHOLE lot, too!
Jen