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.

---

Plot Keywords:

worst movie | trash movie | ed wood | trash | experiment | 

---

Taglines:

It'll make your skin crawl!

---

Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi

---

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

Bela Lugosi's last speaking part in a film.

---

Goofs

In the final scene Dr. Vornoff lays Janet down in the swamp and runs off to the left and is followed by Dick and the Capt. When the doctor is finally killed, Dick and the captain leave to the left again only to enter from the left in the set where Janet is.

---

Quotes

Janet Lawton: When did I tell you my name?
Dr. Eric Vornoff: You didn't. But since you were unconscious, I took the liberty of looking into your purse.

---

Alternate Versions

Also available in a colorized version.

---

Connections

Referenced in On the Trail of Ed Wood (1990)

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.