The Monster Maker
| The Monster Maker | |
|---|---|
 Promotional release poster | |
| Directed by | Sam Newfield |
| Written by | Lawrence Williams Pierre Gendron Martin Mooney |
| Produced by | Sigmund Neufeld |
| Starring | J. Carrol Naish Ralph Morgan Tala Birell |
| Cinematography | Sam Newfield |
| Edited by | Robert E. Cline |
| Music by | Albert Glasser |
| Distributed by | Producers Releasing Corporation |
Release date |
|
Running time | 62 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Monster Makeris a 1944science-fictionhorror filmstarringJ. Carrol NaishandRalph Morgan.Albert Glasser supplied the film score, his first, an assignment for which he was paid US$250.[1]
Plot
[edit]Dr. Markoff (J. Carrol Naish) has concocted a formula that spreadsacromegaly,a hideous disease that extends bones and distorts facial features. Markoff has no moral dilemma in experimenting on unsuspecting human subjects. His amoral behavior assumes monstrous dimensions when famed concert pianist Lawrence (Ralph Morgan) is injected with the doctor's disease-inducing serum. In return for an antidote, Markoff intends to exact more than his pound of flesh by extorting a fortune from Lawrence and demanding the hand of the musician's pretty daughter Patricia (Wanda McKay).[2]
Cast
[edit]- J. Carrol Naishas Dr. Igor Markoff
- Ralph Morganas Anthony Lawrence
- Tala Birellas Maxine
- Wanda McKayas Patricia Lawrence
- Terry Frostas Bob Blake
- Glenn Strangeas Giant / Steve
- Alexander Pollard as Butler / Stack
- Sam Flintas Dr. Adams
- Ace the Wonder Dogas Ace
Production and reception
[edit]LowlyPRChadn't released a horror picture in nearly 17 months, having spent most of 1943 substantially expanding their capabilities by purchasing the bankrupt Chadwick Studio (a poverty row operation that specialized in renting stages and production equipment to low-budget producers along Gower) for $305,000. While critics, what few that would review a PRC release, complained about the film's lack of action, production values were noted to be somewhat higher than earlier releases. The working title of this film was The Devil's Apprentice.[3]
The film holds an extremely low 3% onRotten Tomatoesand a 4.7/10 on theInternet Movie Database.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^Weaver, Tom (2006).Science Fiction Stars and Horror Heroes: Interviews with Actors, Directors, Producers and Writers of the 1940s Through 1960s.McFarland. pp. 98–99.ISBN0-7864-2857-0.
- ^Erickson, Hal."The Monster Maker".AllMovie.Retrieved2009-08-04.
- ^The Monster Maker TCM Notes
External links
[edit]
- The Monster MakeratIMDb
- The Monster Makeris available for free viewing and download at theInternet Archive
- The Monster MakeratAllMovie
- 1944 films
- 1944 horror films
- American science fiction horror films
- American black-and-white films
- Mad scientist films
- American monster movies
- Producers Releasing Corporation films
- 1940s science fiction horror films
- Films scored by Albert Glasser
- 1940s English-language films
- Films directed by Sam Newfield
- 1940s American films
- English-language science fiction horror films