Crypt of Curiosities: A Look Back at Universal’s Horror Films Featuring Rondo Hatton’s “The Creeper”
In the mid ’40s, the Universal Monsters were in a tough spot. Up until then, the ’40s had been a nonstop flow of sequels and one-offs, with an avalanche of Invisible Men, Draculas (Draculi?), and the odd Frozen Ghost here and there releasing at a steady clip. But this high release rate had made them stale, and by the time 1946 came around, the studio was in desperate need of a new, recognizable monster.
Enter Rondo Hatton. A journalist-turned-b-movie-bit-player, Hatton had been afflicted with acromegaly for most of his adult life, which enlarged his jaw and pronounced his forehead over the years. This distinctive appearance led to him being cast as nameless goons up until the ’40s, when he got his big, career-defining role as The Creeper.
Curiously, The Creeper’s first appearance wasn’t in a horror film at all. It was in The Pearl of Death (1944), one of the...
Enter Rondo Hatton. A journalist-turned-b-movie-bit-player, Hatton had been afflicted with acromegaly for most of his adult life, which enlarged his jaw and pronounced his forehead over the years. This distinctive appearance led to him being cast as nameless goons up until the ’40s, when he got his big, career-defining role as The Creeper.
Curiously, The Creeper’s first appearance wasn’t in a horror film at all. It was in The Pearl of Death (1944), one of the...
- 9/15/2017
- by Perry Ruhland
- DailyDead
Photos Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures/ Tm & © DC Comics
Warner Bros. Pictures’ screen pairing of the world’s most iconic super heroes has at last answered the question “Who Will Win?” by winning over movie audiences and setting box office records around the world this weekend with an estimated worldwide box office total of $424.1 million.
Batman and Superman. Gotham and Metropolis. Lex Luthor, Doomsday and—for the first time ever on the big screen—Wonder Woman. With its stellar lineup of heroes and villains and bigger and better battles with even more at stake than the destruction of the Earth, Zack Snyder’s Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice is an epic Super Hero journey like no other.
Pit the two greatest heroes in the world against each other and the unthinkable becomes inevitable in the form of a truly seismic clash: Batman, the underground vigilante, a knight in the darkness,...
Warner Bros. Pictures’ screen pairing of the world’s most iconic super heroes has at last answered the question “Who Will Win?” by winning over movie audiences and setting box office records around the world this weekend with an estimated worldwide box office total of $424.1 million.
Batman and Superman. Gotham and Metropolis. Lex Luthor, Doomsday and—for the first time ever on the big screen—Wonder Woman. With its stellar lineup of heroes and villains and bigger and better battles with even more at stake than the destruction of the Earth, Zack Snyder’s Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice is an epic Super Hero journey like no other.
Pit the two greatest heroes in the world against each other and the unthinkable becomes inevitable in the form of a truly seismic clash: Batman, the underground vigilante, a knight in the darkness,...
- 3/28/2016
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Halloween evokes imagery of all of the great myths and monsters. Witches cackling on broomsticks, Vampires screeching as they turn into bats and the ominous groan of the ever-loved Frankenstein‘s Monster. But is there anything so chilling as the stop-you-in-your-tracks anguished howl of a werewolf? A man reduced to his most base instincts. An unwilling killer. A victim.
Ever since I was a kid I have wanted to be a werewolf. They have always been my favourite monster and any Psychotherapist worth their degree would probably track it all back to the issues of growing up as an outcast, puny Geek. And they would most likely be right.
I don’t care. Issues or no issues, having the sheer raw ferocity to rend limb from limb always seemed quite romantic to me. Clearly I have missed the subtext of the human cursed, a murderer but not by choice. Maybe I do have issues.
Ever since I was a kid I have wanted to be a werewolf. They have always been my favourite monster and any Psychotherapist worth their degree would probably track it all back to the issues of growing up as an outcast, puny Geek. And they would most likely be right.
I don’t care. Issues or no issues, having the sheer raw ferocity to rend limb from limb always seemed quite romantic to me. Clearly I have missed the subtext of the human cursed, a murderer but not by choice. Maybe I do have issues.
- 10/6/2011
- by David Hawkins
- Obsessed with Film
Enter for your chance to win tickets to see House Of Frankenstein, and House Of Dracula at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood!
Famous Monsters is giving away tickets, courtesy of American Cinematheque and the Egyptian Theatre, to Five Lucky winners!!!
Event Details: Friday, October 30 – 7:30 Pm
Double Feature: House Of Frankenstein, 1944, Universal, 71 min. Dir. Erle C. Kenton. Mad scientist Boris Karloff is at the center of this horror classic, which gathers the most popular Universal icons — the Wolf Man, Frankenstein’s Monster, Dracula — in one highly enjoyable film.
House Of Dracula, 1945, Universal, 67 min. Dir. Erle C. Kenton. Once again, Lon Chaney Jr. reprises his role as Lawrence Talbot, the Wolf Man. Both Talbot and Count Dracula (John Carradine) seek a cure for their afflictions, so they secure the help of renowned scientist Dr. Edelman (Onslow Stevens) and his hunchbacked nurse (Jane Adams).
To enter to win tickets: 1. Find the image of...
Famous Monsters is giving away tickets, courtesy of American Cinematheque and the Egyptian Theatre, to Five Lucky winners!!!
Event Details: Friday, October 30 – 7:30 Pm
Double Feature: House Of Frankenstein, 1944, Universal, 71 min. Dir. Erle C. Kenton. Mad scientist Boris Karloff is at the center of this horror classic, which gathers the most popular Universal icons — the Wolf Man, Frankenstein’s Monster, Dracula — in one highly enjoyable film.
House Of Dracula, 1945, Universal, 67 min. Dir. Erle C. Kenton. Once again, Lon Chaney Jr. reprises his role as Lawrence Talbot, the Wolf Man. Both Talbot and Count Dracula (John Carradine) seek a cure for their afflictions, so they secure the help of renowned scientist Dr. Edelman (Onslow Stevens) and his hunchbacked nurse (Jane Adams).
To enter to win tickets: 1. Find the image of...
- 10/23/2009
- by kristen
- FamousMonsters of Filmland
Famous Monsters of Filmland is thrilled to be able to share a two-day double feature event at the end of May with the American Cinematheque at the Egyptian Theater in Los Angeles, California. Saturday, May 30th, will be adorned with a double bill of Son of Frankenstein (1939) followed by Ghost of Frankenstein (1942). Sunday goes for the famous leading vampire with the classic Dracula (1931) as well as House of Dracula (1945).
Seeing these monster classics is treat enough; tossed on top as the cherry to crown your ice cream is an arrangement of guest speakers who will provide some interesting insight; most were personally involved in the films' making! The screenings will be introduced by Sara Karloff, Janet Ann Gallow, Carla Laemmle, and Jane Adams, respectively. This is bound to be an excellent event!
For additional details, including start times and directions, please visit the Famous Monsters of Filmland website!
- Tristan...
Seeing these monster classics is treat enough; tossed on top as the cherry to crown your ice cream is an arrangement of guest speakers who will provide some interesting insight; most were personally involved in the films' making! The screenings will be introduced by Sara Karloff, Janet Ann Gallow, Carla Laemmle, and Jane Adams, respectively. This is bound to be an excellent event!
For additional details, including start times and directions, please visit the Famous Monsters of Filmland website!
- Tristan...
- 4/29/2009
- by Tristan Sinns
- DreadCentral.com
Famous Monsters of Filmland is thrilled to be able to share a two day double feature event at the end of May with the American Cinematheque at the Egyptian Theater in Los Angeles, California. Saturday, May 30th, will be adorned with a double bill of Son of Frankenstein (1939) followed by Ghost of Frankenstein (1942). Sunday goes for the famous leading vampire with the classic Dracula (1931) as well as House of Dracula (1945).
Seeing these monster classics is treat enough; tossed on top as the cherry to crown your ice cream is an arrangement of guest speakers who will provide some interesting insight; most were personally involved in the film's making! The screenings will be introduced by Sara Karloff, Janet Ann Gallow, Carla Laemmle, and Jane Adams, respectively. This is bound to be an excellent event! For additional details, including start times and directions, please visit the Famous Monsters of Filmland website!
-...
Seeing these monster classics is treat enough; tossed on top as the cherry to crown your ice cream is an arrangement of guest speakers who will provide some interesting insight; most were personally involved in the film's making! The screenings will be introduced by Sara Karloff, Janet Ann Gallow, Carla Laemmle, and Jane Adams, respectively. This is bound to be an excellent event! For additional details, including start times and directions, please visit the Famous Monsters of Filmland website!
-...
- 4/29/2009
- by Tristan Sinns
- DreadCentral.com
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