The Monstrous Movie Photo Of The Day: Heralding The Completion Of Harvey

Written By: Ken Hulsey

As you probably have guessed by now all of today's posts have something to do with bunnies in honor of it being Easter and all so I decided to pull a rabbit out of my hat, or to be more precise, pull a rabbit themed image out of my collection. This particular image was released by Universal to herald the completion of the 1950 film which starred one of my favorite actors Jimmy Stewart and actress Josephine Hull. This photo was published in movie trade magazines and was never released to the general public to promote the film.

Here is some history:

Harvey is a 1950 film based on Mary Chase's play of the same name, directed by Henry Koster, and starring James Stewart and Josephine Hull. The story is about a man whose best friend is a pooka named Harvey—in the form of a six-foot, three-and-one-half-inch tall invisible rabbit.

The classic stage hit gets the Hollywood treatment in the story of Elwood P. Dowd who makes friends with a spirit taking the form of a human-sized rabbit named Harvey that only he sees (and a few privileged others on occasion also.) After his sister tries to commit him to a mental institution, a comedy of errors ensues. Elwood and Harvey become the catalysts for a family mending its wounds and for romance blossoming in unexpected places. - Dale Roloff

Hull's performance earned her an Academy Award as Best Supporting Actress; Stewart's portrayal earned him a Best Actor Oscar nomination. Stewart later declared in an interview that Hull had the most difficult role in the film, since she had to believe and not believe in the invisible rabbit... at the same time.

This film was ranked #35 on AFI's 100 Years... 100 Laughs.

In June 2008, AFI revealed its "10 Top 10"—the best ten films in ten "classic" American film genres—after polling over 1,500 people from the creative community. Harvey was acknowledged as the seventh best film in the fantasy genre.

- Wikipedia

I know that there are other "bunnies" out there that I could have posted photos of ... Bugs Bunny would have been an all too obvious choice and Playboy Bunnies Lisa Welch (Miss February 1980) and Patricia Farinelli (Miss December 1981)(both personal faves) would have driven a lot more traffic to this page but in the end I decided that the invisible 6'3" Harvey would be the choice.

I do of course realize that a good number of you have just jumped to Google to look up both Lisa Welch and Patricia Farinelli ... which is to be expected.

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!!!!

The Monstrous Movie Quote Of The Day: Jennings (Revenge Of The Creature 1955)

"I've lost my white mouse."

- Jennings - Lab Technician (Clint Eastwood)(Revenge of the Creature)(1955)

Let me explain this one. Now normally I post quotes that are quite memorable or witty, and granted "I've lost my white mouse" doesn't really fall into either of those categories. The reason I chose such a quote on this St. Patrick's Day is because it's from one of the "Creature" films (and he's green) and it's the first ever onscreen line uttered by Clint Eastwood (he has Irish blood running through them veins).

In case you don't know who Clint Eastwood is ... well ... he starred in a bunch of Italian westerns, was a sidekick to an orangutan in a couple of movies, played Dirty Harry and directed some Oscar winning films.

Yep, he's done okay for himself.

As it were Eastwood was uncredited for his role as Jennings The Lab Technician in "Revenge of the Creature" much like Leonard Nimoy (as an Air Force sergeant) in "Them!" and George Takei in "Rodan".

Gee ... maybe Clint should have tried out for "Star Trek?" ... well no use looking back at what may have been.



You can't pinch this post ... it's got green all over it!

The Monstrous Movie Photo Of The Day: Deep In The Icy Antarctic ... A Paradise Of Hidden Terrors!

Written By: Ken Hulsey

I am so happy that everyone has been enjoying my movie photo and poster series. Since I first started doing these regular occurring features I have gotten nothing but positive feedback ... and I thank you. Today I decided to tweak things just a little bit by combining the photo and poster series. For the foreseeable future I won't be scouring the internet like I have been for images to share but pulling items from my own personal collection. Some of these images will be studio originals, others will be rare items, and yet others will be copies, that is to say images that aren't original studio photos but copies of said photos.

I've got a scanner and I'm not afraid to use it people!

For my fist image I have chosen a promo advert for the 1957 Universal International release "The Land Unknown". Now what sets this particular image apart from any other movie poster, magazine add, or lobby card is the simple fact that it wasn't produced for the general public to see. It was instead produced for theater owners via trade publications. The image, which I think is truly amazing, was produced on heavy stock paper to be stapled into a magazine and actually appeared on the back of a two-page (three out of four sides) promo for the release of "Run of the Arrow" a western.

I will be posting the image from "Arrow" sometime later on.

Many of you probably remember "The Land Unknown" and may or may not remember "Run of the Arrow", anyway back in the 1950s westerns were way more popular than dinosaur flicks so this advert got the butt end of the promotion.

I hate to admit it but I haven't seen "Run of the Arrow" but the poster has a beautiful Indian maiden on it ... plus the movie stars Rod Steiger, Brian Keith and Charles Bronson so I really should search it out.

As for as "The Land Unknown" goes ... well it wasn't exactly "Jurassic Park" then again what movie is?

Synopsis:

The Land Unknown (1957) is a sci-fi, CinemaScope adventure film about a naval expedition trapped in an Antarctic jungle. The story was allegedly inspired by the discovery of unusually warm water in Antarctica in 1947. It starred Jock Mahoney and Shirley Patterson and was directed by Virgil W. Vogel. The film is notable for its low-budget special effects, which include men in dinosaur suits, puppets and monitor lizards standing in for dinosaurs. William Reynolds recalled the studio spent so much money on their mechanical dinosaur that they couldn't afford to shoot the film in colour as they first planned.

In other words it was "The Land That Time Forgot" from a time forgotten.

This little gem is one of my favorites and I hope to have it framed and mounted on my wall for all to see very soon!

"Deep In The Icy Antarctic ... A Paradise Of Hidden Terrors!"

This one is a treasure just for that tag line ... "Paradise?" ... "Terrors?" One of these words is not like the other! Gotta love that!

The Monstrous Movie Photo Of The Day: "The Beauty Who Designed The Beasts!"

Written By: Ken Hulsey

Throughout the history of monster movies literally hundreds of beautiful young women have been carried off in the arms of an uncountable number of various creatures. What you may not know is that one such beauty actually was responsible for designing a few of these Hollywood Horrors.

Actress and artist Milicent Patrick (sometimes credited as Millicent Patrick) actually created several of the most notable and iconic monsters in history including the "Creature From The Black Lagoon", the alien xenomorph from "It Came From Outer Space" and the alien mutant from "This Island Earth." Patrick also penned an unknown amount of illustrations for Disney that included Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and the gang.

In 1954 Patrick was called in by Universal make-up artist Bud Westmore to design a half-man-half-amphibian monster for a little movie called "Creature From The Black Lagoon." Though Westmore was credited for the creation of the "Gill-Man" for decades it was actually Patrick who created the monster from scratch.

During the production of "Creature" Patrick was photographed extensively both behind the scenes and on the set for publicity purposes. Actually there seems to be as many pictures of the artist with the monster as there are of Julia Adams ... and she was actually the heroine.

Pairing Patrick with the Gill-Man made a lot of sense from a publicity stand point, after all the young woman was rather stunning and had all the curves in the right places.

Surprisingly she actually never appeared on screen in any of the three Creature films though she did land roles in several lesser known productions spanning from the late 1940s to the late 1960s.

Note: Observe the mask in the upper left portion of the photo ... is it me or does that look an awful lot like the Gorn mask from the "Star Trek" episode "Arena"?

Did Patrick design that monster too?

Universal Centennial - Restoring the Classics - A Lifetime of Memories

by Armand Vaquer



Universal Pictures is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, and to celebrate, they are doing some great things.

Here's what Universal Pictures posted:

Universal will mark its 100th anniversary in 2012, and will commemorate its centennial with a yearlong celebration honoring the studio's rich film history and cultural legacy. The campaign draws its inspiration from Universal's extraordinary and diverse library of films, many of which will be highlighted throughout the year, and is designed to engage fans of all ages in the art of moviemaking.

A significant element of the centennial includes the extensive restoration of 13 of the studio's most beloved titles such as To Kill a Mockingbird, All Quiet on the Western Front, Jaws, The Sting, Out of Africa, Frankenstein and Schindler's List.

Also included in the centennial restoration project is the 1931 Dracula starring Bela Lugosi and the 1931 Spanish version. Besides Frankenstein, Universal is restoring Bride of Frankenstein (1935) starring Boris Karloff.

Here is a 9-minute YouTube video Universal posted on the restoration:

Bride of Frankenstein - Bride And Monster Model Kit

Source: Entertainment Earth

Bride of Frankenstein - Bride And Monster Model Kit:

Together forever!
Classic pose from the Bride of Frankenstein 2 movie!
Build and admire!

This Bride of Frankenstein, 2-figure set shows off a classic pose from the film of both Bride and Monster. The model kit measures 1:18 scale, sculpted by fan-favorite Jeff Yagher.

Order This Model Kit From Entertainment Earth ... Only $44.99 - HERE

The Monstrous Movie Quote Of The Day: Henry Frankenstein (Frankenstein 1931)

"Dangerous? Poor old Waldman. Have you never wanted to do anything that was dangerous? Where should we be if no one tried to find out what lies beyond? Have your never wanted to look beyond the clouds and the stars, or to know what causes the trees to bud? And what changes the darkness into light? But if you talk like that, people call you crazy. Well, if I could discover just one of these things, what eternity is, for example, I wouldn't care if they did think I was crazy." - Henry Frankenstein (Colin Clive)(Frankenstein)(1931)

Halloween Movie Trailers: CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON (1954)

Source: Monster Island News on Youtube

An archeological expedition to the Amazon discovers the fossilized remains of the arm and clawed hand of a “missing link” between man and fish. The item is returned to civilization and a research team consisting of marine biologist Dr. David Reed (Richard Carlson), his employer Mark Williams (Richard Denning), his assistant Kay (Julia Adams), and the man responsible for the find, Dr. Carlos Maia, are quickly assembled to return to the Amazon to search for the rest of the remains.

Upon returning to the site the group discovers that the campsite has been ransacked and the members of first expedition have been slaughtered. Despite this grizzly discovery the group continues on with the dig to no avail. It is soon discovered that the rest of the remains must have been washed down stream into an area that is known to the local natives as “The Black Lagoon.”

Upon arrival at the mysterious lagoon the young assistant, Kay, decides to take a morning swim when she catches the attention of the ominous Gill-man who instantly becomes fascinated with the delicate creature he sees swimming above him. The young woman soon becomes the Creatures obsession and several attempts are made by the monster to capture her.

The group quickly finds itself in a fight for survival after several attempts are made to capture the Creature. The monster effectively blocks the exit from the lagoon and finally captures the object of its fascination. A rescue operation is immediately put into action and the monster is tracked to its lair where it is shot several times. In the end the Gill-man stumbles back into the lagoon where it is last seen floating lifeless in the murky water.

Halloween Movie Trailers: WEREWOLF OF LONDON (1935)

Source: Monster Island News on Youtube

Werewolf of London is a 1935 Horror/werewolf movie starring Henry Hull and produced by Universal Pictures. Jack Pierce's eerie werewolf make-up was simpler than his version six years later for Lon Chaney, Jr., in The Wolf Man but, according to film historians, remains strikingly effective as worn by Hull.

Werewolf of London was the first Hollywood mainstream werewolf movie.

Wilfred Glendon (Henry Hull) is a wealthy and world-renowned English botanist who journeys to Tibet in 1935 in search of the elusive mariphasa plant. While there, he is attacked and bitten by a creature later revealed to be a werewolf, although he succeeds in acquiring a specimen of the mariphasa. Once back home in London he is approached by a fellow botanist, Dr. Yogami (Warner Oland), who claims to have met him in Tibet while also seeking the mariphasa. Yogami warns Glendon that the bite of a werewolf would cause him to become a werewolf as well, adding that the mariphasa is a temporary antidote for the disease.

Glendon does not believe the mysterious Yogami. That is, not until he begins to experience the first pangs of lycanthropy, first when his hand grows fur beneath the rays of his moon lamp (which he is using in an effort to entice the mariphasa to bloom), and later that night during the first full moon. The first time, Glendon is able to use a blossom from the mariphasa to stop his transformation. His wife Lisa (Valerie Hobson) is away at her aunt Ettie's party with her friend, former childhood sweetheart Paul Ames (Lester Matthews, seventeen years older than his "childhood sweetheart"), allowing the swiftly transforming Glendon to make his way unhindered to his at-home laboratory, in the hopes of acquiring the mariphasa's flowers to quell his lycanthropy a second time. Unfortunately Dr. Yogami, who is also a werewolf, sneaks into the lab ahead of his rival and steals the only two blossoms. As the third has not bloomed, Glendon is out of luck.

Driven by an instinctive desire to hunt and kill, he dons his hat and coat and ventures out into the dark city, killing an innocent girl. Burdened by remorse, Glendon begins neglecting Lisa (more so than usual), and makes numerous futile attempts to lock himself up far away from home, including renting a room at an inn, or with Mrs. Whack and Mrs. Moncaster. However, whenever he transforms into the werewolf he escapes and kills again. After a time, the third blossum of the mariphasa finally blooms, but much to Glendon's horror, it is stolen by Yogami, sneaking into the lab while Glendon's back is turned. Catching Yogami in the act, Glendon finally realizes that Yogami was the werewolf that attacked him in Tibet. After turning into the werewolf yet again and slaying Yogami, Glendon goes to the house in search of Lisa, for the werewolf instinctively seeks to destroy that which it loves the most. - Wikipedia

The Monstrous Movie Quote Of The Day: Sir John Talbot (The Wolfman 1941)

"Gypsy woman? Now we're getting down to it. She's been filling your mind with this gibberish. This talk of werewolves and pentagrams. You're not a child Larry, you're a grown man and you believe in the superstitions of a Gypsy woman!" - Sir John Talbot (Claude Rains)(The Wolfman)(1941)

News From The Black Lagoon: Creature Feature And Julie Adams Book

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Sources: Wakulla County News and Information / Julie Adams Official Website

It's that time once again! Time for the residents of Wakulla Springs, Florida to celebrate their favorite monster ... The Creature From The Black Lagoon. As most of you already know Wakulla Springs State Park doubled as the infamous "Black Lagoon" (along with the back lot at Universal) in the first of three Gill-man films. Every October the park shows the movie and holds events to pay tribute to the monster that they love so dearly.

Here is the info from Wakulla.com:

Wakulla Springs State Park will present "Creature Feature" on Friday, October 21, 2011 from 7pm to 9pm.

Entrance will be free to the public. The event is being hosted by Wakulla Springs Lodge on the big screen TV in the hotel lobby. The gift shop will be open during the event for refreshments! Choose from a full range of snacks, drinks and candies.

The Creature will be lurking about the property and is expected to make an appearance!

Can't find the "Black Lagoon"? Maybe this will help - http://www.floridastateparks.org/wakullasprings/

Normally the stars from the movie make a special appearance but this year Julie Adams will be in Hollywood promoting her new book "The Lucky Southern Star: Reflections From the Black Lagoon".

Here is the info from Julie's website:

Julie at Book Signings for Her New Book

After numerous requests, Julie has written her personal autobiography with many pictures never before seen. It is titled The Lucky Southern Star: Reflections From the Black Lagoon and covers her whole career. It will be available on October 27th. It will be launched with a book signing on Thursday, October 27 at Egyptian Theatre, 6712 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. And there will be a double feature screening at the Egyptian Theatre that night of Creature From the Black Lagoon (Shown in 3D) 7:45 - 9:00 p.m. followed by a Question and Answer session with Julie and Bend of the River following the Q & A.

There will be another book signing on Sunday, October 30th at the Dark Delicacies Book Store, 3512 W. Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA from 2 - 4 p.m. There is no charge for a dedication and signature at the book signings.

The book will sell for $29.95, please add $3.00 for postage. If you want a personal dedication and signature through ordering the book on the Web Page it will be an additional $20.00, postage is free on personally signed books.

Universal Monsters Invade The Music Box Theatre In Chicago This Month!

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Music Box Theatre

I know that Monster Island News has a lot of readers/fans in the greater Chicago area (yes, I'm talking to you James Baack) that will find this very, very interesting. In fact they may have a monstergasm of some sort!

Your welcome!

Indeed the Music Box Theatre in Chicago is hosting week long festival of classic Universal Studios monster films beginning October 21st. All the usual creatures will be on hand including ... um ... The Creature, Dracula, Frankenstein, Mrs Frankenstein (okay they never really got hitched) The Wolfman and of course a Captive Wild Woman (you can't let em loose to roam the street!)

Here are your films:

Murders in the Rue Morgue October 21, 2:40pm; October 22, 2:00pm; October 22, 5:15pm

Robert Florey, 1932, 61m

In 19th Century Paris, the maniacal Dr. Mirakle abducts young women and injects them with ape blood in an attempt to prove ape-human kinship…

The Invisible Man October 21, 4:00pm; October 23, 2:00pm; October 23, 7:15pm

James Whale, 1933, 71m

A scientist finds a way of becoming invisible, but in doing so, he becomes murderously insane.

It Came Frow Outer Space October 21, 8:15pm; October 23, 5:15pm

Jack Arnold, 1953, 81m

A spaceship from another world crashes in the Arizona desert, and only an amateur stargazer and a schoolteacher suspect alien influence when the local townsfolk begin to act strange.

Creature from the Black Lagoon in 3D October 21, 10:00pm; October 22, 3:30pm

Jack Arnold, 1954, 79m

A strange prehistoric beast lurks in the depths of the Amazonian jungle. A group of scientist try to capture the animal and bring it back to civilization for study. In 3D!

The Invisible Man Returns October 23, 3:30pm; October 23, 9:00pm

Joe May, 1940, 81m

The owner of a coal mining operation, falsely imprisoned for fratricide, takes a drug to make him invisible, despite its side effect: gradual madness.

Captive Wild Woman October 24, 5:30pm; October 24, 8:45pm

Edward Dymtryk, 1943, 61m

An insane scientist doing experimentation in glandular research becomes obsessed with transforming a female gorilla into a human…even though it costs human life.

The Wolf Man October 24, 7:00pm

George Waggner, 1941, 70m

A practical man returns to his homeland, is attacked by a creature of folklore, and infected with a horrific disease his disciplined mind tells him can not possibly exist.

Dracula October 25, 5:30pm; October 25, 9:00pm

1931, 75m

The ancient vampire Count Dracula arrives in England and begins to prey upon the virtuous young Mina. Starring Bela Lugosi.

The Mummy October 25, 7:15pm

Karl Freund, 1932, 73m

In 1921 a field expedition in Egypt discovers the mummy of ancient Egyptian prince Im-Ho-Tep, who was condemned and buried alive for sacrilege…

Frankenstein October 26, 5:30pm; October 26, 8:45pm

James Whale, 1931, 70m

Horror classic in which an obsessed scientist assembles a living being from parts of exhumed corpses.

Bride of Frankenstein October 26, 7:00pm

James Whale, 1935, 75m

Mary Shelley reveals the main characters of her novel survived: Dr. Frankenstein (goaded by an even madder scientist) builds his monster a mate.

The Black Cat October 27, 5:30pm

Edgar G. Ulmer, 1934, 65m

American honeymooners in Hungary are trapped in the home of a Satan- worshiping priest when the bride is taken there for medical help following a road accident.

Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet Frankenstein October 27, 7:00pm

Charles Barton, 1948, 83m

Two hapless freight handlers find themselves encountering Dracula, the Frankenstein Monster and the Wolf Man.

Here is the full schedule:

Friday 10/21
8:15 – It Came From Outer Space 3D
10:00 – Creature from the Black Lagoon 3D

Saturday 10/22
2:00 – Murders in the Rue Morgue
3:30 – Creature from the Black Lagoon
5:15 – Murders in the Rue Morgue

Sunday 10/23
2:00 – The Invisible Man
3:30 – The Invisible Man Returns
5:15 – It Came From Outer Space
7:15 – The Invisible Man
9:00 – The Invisible Man Returns

Monday 10/24
5:30 – Captive Wild Woman
7:00 – The Wolf Man
8:45 – Captive Wild Woman

Tuesday 10/25
5:30 – Dracula
7:15 – The Mummy
9:00 – Dracula

Wednesday 10/26
5:30 – Frankenstein
7:00 – Bride of Frankenstein
8:45 – Frankenstein

Thursday 10/27
5:30 – The Black Cat
7:00 – Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein

For tickets and more info go HERE

Halloween Movie Trailers: FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLFMAN (1943)

Source: Monster Island News on Youtube

Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man, released in 1943, is an American monster horror film produced by Universal Studios starring Lon Chaney, Jr. as the Wolf Man and Bela Lugosi as Frankenstein's monster. This was the first of a series of "ensemble" monster films combining characters from several film series. This film, therefore, is both the fifth in the series of films based upon Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and a sequel to The Wolf Man.

Larry Talbot the "Wolf Man" (Lon Chaney, Jr.) is awakened from death by grave robbers. Seeking a cure for the curse that causes him to transform into a werewolf with every full moon, he goes to Frankenstein's castle, as he hopes to find there the notes of Dr. Ludwig Frankenstein so he might learn how to permanently end his own life through scientific means, knowing now that being struck by silver was not the final cure the legend claims. By chance, during his transformations into a werewolf, he falls into the castle's frozen catacombs and revives Frankenstein's monster (Bela Lugosi) who had been frozen in ice. Finding that the Monster is unable to locate the notes of the long-dead doctor, Talbot seeks out Baroness Elsa Frankenstein (Ilona Massey), hoping she knows their hiding place. A performance of the life-affirming folk song "Faro-la Faro-Li" enrages Talbot into a fit before the Frankenstein Monster crashes the village festival. With the Monster revealed, Elsa gives the notes to Talbot and Dr. Mannering (Patric Knowles), who has tracked Talbot across Europe, so that they may be used in an effort to drain all life from both Talbot and the Monster. Ultimately, however, Dr. Mannering's desire to see the Monster at full strength overwhelms his logic, and to Elsa's horror he decides to fully revive it. As an unfortunate coincidence, the experiment takes place on the night of a full moon, and Talbot is transformed just as the Monster regains his strength. After the Monster lustfully carries off Elsa, the Wolf Man attacks him, she runs out of the castle with the doctor, and the two title characters "perish" in a flood that results after the local tavern owner blows up the town dam to drown the castle's inhabitants.

The Monstrous Movie Quote Of The Day: Lucas (Creature From The Black Lagoon 1954)

"I can tell you something about this place. The boys around here call it 'The Black Lagoon'; a paradise. Only they say nobody has ever come back to prove it." - Lucas (Nestor Paiva)(Creature From The Black Lagoon)(1954)

Halloween Movie Trailers: FRANKENSTEIN (1931)

Source: Monster Island News on Youtube

Boris Karloff arrived in Hollywood in 1917 and began a career as a bit player in several films before James Whale spotted him in the Universal commissary eating lunch. His silent portrayal as the monster in “Frankenstein” would catapult him to the “A” list of Hollywood horror actors. In real life however Karloff was anything but a monster. He was always noted as being a gentle, kind man who loved to entertain children.

When Universal released “Frankenstein” in 1931 the film was a very unique piece to watch. The film has always been regarded as a black and white classic when it was nothing of the sort. When audiences originally saw the film in theatres the daylight scenes were in amber, the night in pale blue, the eerie scenes in green and the fiery climax in red. Universal also thought it was necessary to hype the film up a bit. As if the film wasn’t scary enough on its own the studio found it in their best interest to park an ambulance out in front of many theatres and to keep two nurses on hand in the lobby to raise the chill factor. They even went as far as to place an actress in the audience during every showing who would, at the scariest moment in the film, scream, jump out of her seat, and run up the aisle and out of the theatre. Too bad we don’t see theatrics like that anymore.

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The Monstrous Movie Quote Of The Day: Helen Grosvenor (The Mummy 1932)

"Do you have to open graves to find girls to fall in love with?" - Helen Grosvenor (Zita Johann)(The Mummy)(1932)

News Headlines Thy Name Is FRANKENSTEIN

Stories Compiled By: Ken Hulsey
Sources: Various and Noted

With Halloween quickly approaching is it any wonder that the news headlines over the past 24 hours have been dominated by Frankenstein's monster!

“I, Frankenstein” starring Aaron Eckhart will release in U.S. Feb 22, 2013
By: Anastasia Alvarado (Hollywood News.com)

HollywoodNews.com: Aaron Eckhart will play Adam Frankenstein in the Lakeshore Entertainment, Hopscotch Features and Lionsgate production of “I, Frankenstein,” commencing in Australia in January. The film was written and is to be directed by Stuart Beattie (director of Australia’s breakout hit “Tomorrow, When the War Began,” and writer of such films as “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “G.I. Joe,” “30 Days of Night,” and “Collateral”), and is based on a graphic novel by Kevin Grevioux, co-creator of the “Underworld” franchise. Lionsgate will distribute the film in the United States, Lakeshore will handle international sales and E1/Hopscotch will distribute in Australia. U.S. release is slated for February 22, 2013.

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Shawn Levy Dishes On His Untitled Frankenstein Project
By Justin Monroe (Complex.com)

When we recently interviewed director Shawn Levy about his new robot boxing movie Real Steel, we had to ask him about about a rather conspicuous genre movie that his IMDB page says he's rumored to be directing and currently developing. Known only as Untitled Frankenstein Project, it makes a genre fan's mind race with the possibilities, both good and bad. Rather than speculate, check out what he had to say about it:

"It’s an amazing script and, yes, I am attached to direct it. That’s true, and if I can get the right pairing of two young guys I’ll make it. It’s a radical retelling of the legend, and the reason that the casting is so critical is that, though it is still very much a monster movie and a genre piece, it really focuses on the friendship and relationship and betrayals between Victor Frankenstein and Igor, who is at once his friend and assistant, all set against this discovery of a science that might change human science forever. So if I can cast it to my liking I will be making it. If I make it I’m gonna make it next year."

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Frankenstein moon: Astronomers vindicate Mary Shelley's account

Frankenstein moon: 'Frankenstein' author Mary Shelley claimed that the tale came to her in a vision late one night as the moon streamed through her window. Her account was disputed, but astronomers at Texas State University have now substantiated her 'Frankenstein moon.'

By Eoin O'Carroll (CSMonitor.com)

Many literary critics have long thought that Mary Shelley fabricated her account of how she came up with the idea for her 1818 novel "Frankenstein." But a research by a team of astronomers suggests that she was telling the truth.

In the preface to the 1831 edition of the novel, Shelley wrote that the idea first came to her in the summer of 1816, where she stayed in a manor on Lake Geneva with her future husband Percy Bysshe Shelley and the writers Lord Byron and John Polidori. Byron suggested that each of them write a ghost story. Days passed, but Shelley produced nothing but "that blank incapability of invention which is the greatest misery of authorship."

Then late one night, after a conversation about the possibility of using electricity to reanimate cadavers, the story came to her in a waking dream in which she saw a "hideous phantasm of a man" being animated by "the working of some powerful engine." When Shelley opened her eyes, she saw moonlight entering her room through the shutters, and a story was born.

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The female ‘Frankenstein’ reaches its climax
By Meredith Deliso (The Brooklyn Paper)


Park Slope’s “feminist Frankenstein” trilogy has finally reached its climax.

Rabbit Hole Ensemble’s year-long exploration of Mary Shelley’s classic concludes this month with “The Tale of Frankenstein’s Daughter” — an interpretation the explores the feminine side of Frankenstein.

So in Stanton Wood’s play, our mad scientist is an infertile doctor who, in her desperation to have a child, creates an impassioned, yet misunderstood, man-killing monster.

“It’s much more a story about a mother and a child, about parenting, loss, rejection and isolation,” said director Edward Elefterion. “It’s less scientific, and more emotional.”

This gender-bending trilogy kicked off last fall with “The Tragic Story of Dr. Frankenstein,” which explored Shelley’s thriller from the doctor’s perspective. The trilogy switched gears this past spring with “Doctor Frankenstein’s Magical Creature,” this time told from the monster’s point of view. This third and final piece blends both plays together for a more fully realized, emotional story, running in a minimal, Kabuki theater-inspired production at Park Slope’s BAX/Brooklyn Arts Exchange starting Oct. 13.

“It’s much deeper, much richer, much more emotional,” said Elefterion. “It’s a whole new beast.”

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Halloween Movie Trailers: DRACULA (1931)

Source: Monster Island News on Youtube

In 1927 a theatrical adaptation of Dracula written by Hamilton Deane and John L., Balderston became a huge hit on Broadway. This play would star the Hungarian born actor Bela Lugosi who didn't speak a word of English. Lugosi learned all his lines phonetically, which produced the famous speech pattern that Dracula (and most vampires) would become associated with.

Bela Lugosi (Bela Ferenc Dezso Blasco) came to America in the 1920s to pursue an acting career. Even though the actor had starred in several small roles prior, he would always be remembered for portraying Dracula, both on stage and in numerous films. After Dracula became a huge hit the actor was offered the part of The Monster in Frankenstein, which he turned down. Boris Karloff would become famous for the part, and Lugosis short term as the King of Horror would end as quickly as it started. Lugosi would go on to play Dracula and other various vampires throughout his career. The actor managed to beat a drug addiction, but ended his career in low budget features such as the infamous Plan 9 From Outer Space which would be his last film. He passed away while it was still in production. Despite all of his stage and film roles the actor died in poverty.

Carl Laemmle Jr. had a vision for a big screen adaptation of Dracula for Universal that would have been in the same league as The Hunchback of Notre Dame and The Phantom of the Opera. Laemmle was also very insistent that Lon Chaney, play the vampire in his picture and set out to lure him away from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Unfortunately Lon Cheney passed away from throat cancer before production was set to begin.

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31 Days of Halloween – Universal Monsters

Story Found By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Cliqueclack
Written By: Chuck Duncan

I ran across this nice article about the classic Universal monsters:

If you love Halloween as much as we do, then you’ve come to the right place! Welcome to CliqueClack Flicks’ 31 Days of Halloween. All month long our coven of writers will dust off some of our favorite horror movies and discuss what makes them a seasonal favorite.

To kick off the month, we’ll start with what is arguably the movie famous and beloved collection of movie monsters ever committed to celluloid — the Universal Monsters: Dracula, Frankentstein, the Bride of Frankenstein, the Wolfman, the Mummy, and the Invisible Man (the Creature from the Black Lagoon is often lumped in with this group, but the Gill Man didn’t come along for another 20 years).

Dracula (1931) was based on a stage play which was based on Bram Stoker‘s novel — the first official adaptation of the book (Nosferatu was, infamously, nearly erased from existence when Stoker’s widow sued for infringement on the material). The movie, like the play, cast the debonair Bela Lugosi in the title role — a departure from the novel’s tall, elderly man with the long white mustache — to give the Count more of an air of sophistication and smoldering sexuality. The better to mesmerize you and drain your blood. If reports are to be believed, the film was so frightening to audiences that woman were fainting in the aisles. Today, it’s a slow, stage bound adaptation of a stage play (a Spanish version filmed at night on the same sets is considered by many to be far superior to this classic). Frightening or not, it certainly holds its place in history as an iconic horror movie.

Universal really struck it rich with its adaptation of Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein, and all the credit goes to director James Whale for his stunning visual style and his casting genius. This is the movie that made Boris Karloff a star, and unlike Lugosi, he managed to have a long, successful career (albeit, mostly in horror films) and is beloved by fans the world over. Besides Whale’s expert direction, Karloff’s performance lifts the Monster (mistakenly referred to by many as Frankenstein) from just a simple caricature to a creature with deep emotional turmoil. His iconic makeup scared the pants off of audiences in 1931, but they also felt sorry for the misunderstood creature as he plunged to his death in the flaming windmill at the end of the movie.

The movie was such a hit that Universal demanded a follow-up, so the Monster was resurrected (again) for The Bride of Frankenstein, which is considered to be one of the best monster movies ever made. Again, with Karloff’s performance, Whale’s directional influence (and Whale certainly managed to camp things up with some not very subtle homosexual subtext — two words: Ernest Thesiger) and the addition of Elsa Lanchester as both the Bride and Mary Shelly, this might actually be the first horror film with comedic overtones. Whether funny, scary or both, The Bride of Frankenstein is simply brilliant filmmaking all around.

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Just When You Thought It Was Safe To Go Back In The Casino! Universal Monsters Invade MONSTER JACKPOTS

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: WMS

I grabbed this little story off a press release about new slot machines that will be featured at the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas next week.

Slot machine manufacturer WMS has just come out with a new game that will feature the classic Universal monsters Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy, The Wolfman and The Creature From The Black Lagoon.

As many of you out there probably already know, I have spent many an hour in Vegas parked in front of the Creature From The Black Lagoon slot machine (photo left) dropping in my hard-earned money ....and loosing it. Regardless of my unlucky ways I always loved playing the game due to the wonderful graphics and animations. This new game promises more of the same so it would be safe to assume that when it comes out I will be dropping a twenty into it hoping that Lady Luck will finally smile on me.

Here is a brief description of Monster Jackpots from the press release:

Monster Jackpots: This new theme is the first game from WMS that features the classic Universal Studios Monsters(TM) such as Frankenstein, Dracula, Invisible Man, The Wolf Man, The Mummy, Creature from the Black Lagoon and Bride of Frankenstein in unique base games and bonus rounds. In the free spin bonus round, players select their own volatility level to try to capture Monsters and win a large jackpot. (initial approvals anticipated in the June 2012 quarter)

WMS also makes a kick-ass looking Star Trek slot machine called STAR TREK Battlestations. You can check that out HERE.