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Bride of the Monster follows Dr. Eric Vornoff (Bela Lugosi), a "mad" scientist that is determined to complete an experiment that will result in a race of "atomic supermen" to conquer the world. Directed and co-written by Ed Wood, it is the most expensive film the made (at $70,000) and arguably his second most well-known one.
Films directed by Ed Wood come now with a certain baggage. Mostly known for his work in horror and sci-fi, he is more popular for how "mediocre" and "incompetent" his films are than for anything else. So with that perspective in mind, I can say I found this to be not so terrible. Campy and schlocky? Yes, but still a nice slice of fun.
The facts around its production only serve to add layers to the film. Part of the film's production funds came from a meat packing plant owned by Donald McCoy. As part of the deal, he asked for his son, Tony, to be cast as the film's hero, Det. Dick Craig. But the thing is that McCoy is not that bad. Again, not sure how much it has to do with low expectations, or true skills, but well.
The real star of the show, though, is Lugosi who delivers a committed and surprisingly energetic performance, especially if you considered it was his last speaking role, released a year before his death. He owns the role of Vornoff giving it equal doses of gravitas and ham. His character is joined by Lobo, played by Wood's regular Tor Johnson, whose performance has a lot of heart to it.
Even though this was my first actual Wood film, I've read some things about him. After working on horror and sci-fi, he eventually veered more into sexploitation and pornographic films, and also pulp novels; a career path that some might have considered "mad"... or maybe it's something that we cannot grasp?
Grade:
BRIDE OF THE MONSTER
(1955, Wood)
A film from Ed Wood
(1955, Wood)
A film from Ed Wood
"One is always considered *mad* if one discovers something that others cannot grasp!"
Bride of the Monster follows Dr. Eric Vornoff (Bela Lugosi), a "mad" scientist that is determined to complete an experiment that will result in a race of "atomic supermen" to conquer the world. Directed and co-written by Ed Wood, it is the most expensive film the made (at $70,000) and arguably his second most well-known one.
Films directed by Ed Wood come now with a certain baggage. Mostly known for his work in horror and sci-fi, he is more popular for how "mediocre" and "incompetent" his films are than for anything else. So with that perspective in mind, I can say I found this to be not so terrible. Campy and schlocky? Yes, but still a nice slice of fun.
The facts around its production only serve to add layers to the film. Part of the film's production funds came from a meat packing plant owned by Donald McCoy. As part of the deal, he asked for his son, Tony, to be cast as the film's hero, Det. Dick Craig. But the thing is that McCoy is not that bad. Again, not sure how much it has to do with low expectations, or true skills, but well.
The real star of the show, though, is Lugosi who delivers a committed and surprisingly energetic performance, especially if you considered it was his last speaking role, released a year before his death. He owns the role of Vornoff giving it equal doses of gravitas and ham. His character is joined by Lobo, played by Wood's regular Tor Johnson, whose performance has a lot of heart to it.
Even though this was my first actual Wood film, I've read some things about him. After working on horror and sci-fi, he eventually veered more into sexploitation and pornographic films, and also pulp novels; a career path that some might have considered "mad"... or maybe it's something that we cannot grasp?
Grade: