|
| • Advanced Search • Help |
Bride of the Monster | Year: 1956 Directed: - Edward D.Wood Jr. Actors/Actresses: - Bela Lugosi The Ed Wood movie with Bela Lugosi and the rubber octopus "Bride of the Monster," also known as "Bride of the Atom," is the 1956 Ed Wood film where Bela Lugosi wrestles with a giant fake octopus (oh, THAT Ed Wood film). The argument here is not that this is a good movie, but we are talking Ed Wood, which means a whole different criteria for evaluating a film and your enjoyment in viewing same. Yes, this is a bad film, but there is such an earnestness to Wood's efforts that he is obviously oblivious to it all, which makes the film equally endearing and depressing. The man got his movies made, so I just do not see this as sad as those people who finally get the opportunity to make a film and make some dreadful splatter flick. So, now, Ed Wood is not in the lowest circle of the cinematic inferno. This is not a four-star film, just a four-star experience. Big difference. Lugosi is the evil mad scientist Dr. Eric Vornoff, who uses his dumb assistant, Lobo (Tor Johnson) to capture the locals so he can use atomic energy to transform them into supermen back as his laboratory in an abandoned house in the middle of a swamp where the pet rubber octopus out back is used to dispose of the mistakes. Intrepid girl reporter Janet Lawton (Loretta King) investigates the disappearances, although her fiance, Detective Lt. Dick Craig (Tony McCoy) tries to warn her off. Janet is captured by Lobo and (horrors) forced to wear a wedding dress (thereby justifying if not explaining the title). Can Dick and the other cops rescue her in time? "Plan 9 From Outer Space" remains the apex of bad Ed Wood films, but all things considered "Bride of the Monster" probably comes in second. The acting is probably worse, but so is the script, so I do not find as many memorably lines that force you to howl in laughter. Much is made of Lugosi's participation in these Ed Wood flicks and this is the one where the old actor has the most to do as he goes tampering with God's domain. He gives it his all despite the problems with the script and the fact there is no budget for making this movie. "Night of the Ghouls" is considered a sequel to this film because Tor Johnson again plays "Lobo," but do not expect any more continuity between the two than that if you bother to track it down, but then there is not reason for you to do so. After "Plan 9 From Outer Space" this is the Ed Wood film to check out, and if you really want to find out more about Ed then "Glen or Glenda." But beyond those three, you are on your own. Ed Wood's Best Film and Lugosi's Last Hurrah Released in 1956, "Bride of the Monster" is an enjoyable schlock-fest from Grade-Z auteur Edward D. Wood, Jr. However, the film rises above its low-budget shortcomings -- thanks to a bravura performance by an aging Bela Lugosi. Regardless of his personal and professional misfortunes, Bela plays Dr. Eric Vornoff to the hilt, as though it were the performance of his life. Sadly, it would be Lugosi's last starring and speaking role. Despite the amateurish supporting cast and obvious production flaws (who can forget that rubber octopus), "Bride of the Monster" has a comic-book charm that's hard to resist. It's certainly on par with most of Bela's Monogram programmers from the 1940s, and it's definitely superior to Wood's "Glen or Glenda" (1953) and "Plan 9 From Outer Space" (1959). In retrospect, Hollywood has managed to surpass Ed Wood's cinematic ineptitude on a larger scale (remember "Heaven's Gate," "Showgirls" and, more recently, "Battlefield Earth"?). For once, let's give the Master of Bad Cinema his due. It's not too bad but yes it is rubbish Basically this a sci-fi flick with an interesting story. The actors were not as atrocious as in Glen or Glenda. Sure they were wooden, but they weren't as cardboard cut out as Dolores was in that or many of the actors that were in that. In some ways though sympathies have to go to Bela Lugosi. He tries his damnedest to do his best in every film and is only let down by nearly all of those around him. His assistant Lobo ( or Tor ) isn't so bad himself. He plays the silent part well and knows how to carry out his job perfectly. It's just a pity he had to be in this film. Everybody else just is a bit too hammy in their acting to be really believable and well when it comes to inanimate objects that are pretending to be snakes or giant octopusses, the less said the better! Well actually, I might as well divulge them anyway......basically see them scream and squirm and toss and turn when the thing does absolutely nothing is hilarious. Another problem is the ending which happens a little too quick. I know some might just turn off the DVD when they think it's all just crap but it seems Ed spent ages on how to plot the suspense and leaves you short changed on the ending. Just a simple few words " He messed with..." blah blah blah and kaboosh show's over folks. It's not so much of a happy ending as more of a botched job of an ending. Still there's a dramatic improvement in this film and Glen or Glenda But Ed tried, honestly he tried Buy Bride Of The Monster at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on Bride Of The Monster Search with the Priority Search Engine on Bride Of The Monster This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
|
