Bride of the Monster (1955)

A mad doctor attempts to create atomic supermen.

Director:

Edward D. Wood Jr.

Writers:

Edward D. Wood Jr. (original story and screenplay), Alex Gordon (original story and screenplay)

Stars:

Bela Lugosi, Tor Johnson, Tony McCoy

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Bela Lugosi	...	Dr. Eric Vornoff
Tor Johnson	...	Lobo
Tony McCoy	...	Lt. Dick Craig
Loretta King	...	Janet Lawton
Harvey B. Dunn	...	Capt. Robbins
George Becwar	...	Prof. Strowski
Paul Marco	...	Kelton
Don Nagel	...	Martin (as Don Nagle)
Bud Osborne	...	Mac
John Warren	...	Jake
Ann Wilner	...	Tillie
Dolores Fuller	...	Margie
William 'Billy' Benedict	...	Newsboy (as William Benedict)
Ben Frommer	...	Drunk

Storyline

Rumours abound about what may go on at a creepy mansion just out of town. The house is owned by Dr. Eric Vornoff who is conducting experiments to turn people into super-beings through the use of atomic power. Reporter Janet Lawton decides to look into what is going there and its possible connection to men that have disappeared in the area. When Vornoff takes her prisoner, he has definite plans for her.

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Plot Keywords:

mad scientist | worst movie | trash movie | ed wood | trash | 

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Taglines:

It'll make your skin crawl!

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Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

February 1956 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Atomic Monster

Filming Locations:

Griffith Park - 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$70,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rolling M. Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

69 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film uses both stock footage of a real octopus and a fake, rubber octopus in scenes where "the monster" interacts with actors. It is widely believed this is a prop from the film Wake of the Red Witch (1948). Contradictory accounts claim that Edward D. Wood Jr. either stole or rented the prop from Republic Pictures, which produced the earlier film.

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Goofs

During the climactic shoot-out with Vornoff, Craig and Lawton are shown huddled on the ground looking up at the battle. A moment later Craig runs uphill towards Vornoff to confront him. In the very next shot he is shown coming downhill (over the crest of the hill) from behind him.

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Quotes

Lt. Dick Craig: You think there's anything in these monster stories?
Captain Tom Robbins: Your girlfriend does.
Lt. Dick Craig: What about you?
Captain Tom Robbins: The police don't believe in monsters. Facts are our business. Facts and only facts... and don't you forget it.

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Alternate Versions

Also available in a colorized version.

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Connections

Referenced in Die schlechtesten Filme aller Zeiten: Plan 9 aus dem Weltall (2019)

User Reviews

Almost Poignant

Bride of the Monster is the best of Ed Wood's films. Frankly compared with Scared to Death and the Devil Bat-- the film truly looks like a masterpiece -- and truth be told it isn't that bad. In fact, it is rather enjoyable. Okay, I am gonna admit it -- I like it! If you look past the cheesy octopus (no worse than the hysterical devil bat), the cheap sets and the lame acting (better than Scared to Death!), if you suspend a little disbelief and realize this movie was made for a song -- then actually it is pretty darned good. One reason for this is that Bela Lugosi gets ample screen time. If Ed Wood was a bit unimaginative, he at least knew what it was that made Lugosi a legend and reprises little details, from the mad scientific leering of the Devil Bat to the idiosyncratic hand gestures of White Zombie. Bela is given a chance to shine in his final starring performance and shine he does. The movie has its flaws, but Bela is not one of them. He is old and looks weak, but he carries the movie like a true champion. He makes empty dialog sound meaningful and implausible scenarios seem poignant (well almost poignant).

Lugosi's "I have no home" monolog is beautiful. He could make dialog such as "I have proven that I am alright!" sound good. Lugosi gives his all in his last performance, and it is a great performance, even if he does have to wrestle with a fake octopus.