The Naked Monster

You have to approach this movie with humor and nostalgia. If you look only at the technical aspect of the film, yes you will find things to complain about. The humor in it, the one liners, the cameos, the nods to the classic monster movies, that's what this film was to me. Call it "Z-grade" all you want...I thought it was a nice tribute to the genre. There is no doubt this was a low budget film. Yes the SPX can hit the cheese level as can some of the acting. I looked beyond that though and saw some writing and scenes that got me chuckling. Every new cameo from a genre star got me to smile as well. I applaud the film makers for doing what they did on a small budget and doing it with some humor as well as some respect for the classic monster movies.

Forrest J. Ackerman, who plays "flustered man" shows up in a few films. "Forrie" is best known as the editor/publisher of the magazine "Famous Monsters of Filmland" He was doing this kind of cameo before Stan Lee ever thought of it.

It's obvious from the opening credits through the cruddy stock shots that it's intended as a spoof of no-budget monster movies. Too bad some people don't have friends to watch it with, because with a group, it's a hoot. Having seen it at conventions, screenings, and living rooms, I've heard people laughing with the gags-- not AT the film, but with it. Ken Tobey is very dry and funny, sending up his roles in The Thing, Beast from 20,000 Fathoms, etc.... I think Brinke Stevens is probably at her best here (although she's fine in Teenage Exorcist-- which at least had a couple hundred thousand dollars' worth of budget, unlike this $1.98 miracle), and the cast I just love-- all the oldtimers as well as the young-timers. Yeah, I'm more than a little prejudiced, and believe me, I see and hear the flaws more than anyone else. But I know it works as a silly comedy.

(As cruddy as some people might think it is, it was good enough to get into the CascadiaCon Film Festival in Seattle, WA, the RiverRun Film Festival in Winston-Salem, NC, and the sci-fi fest in Modesto, CA. Yeah, but what do THEY know, anyway, huh? As opposed to some fnork in East Bombfook, Noo Joisey.)

A gargantuan beast attacks, resulting in a battle for the survival of mankind from land, sea, and air!

THE NAKED MONSTER is a gift beyond price for lovers of sci-fi / monster movies from the 1950's. Both homage and parody, stock footage and inside jokes are the order of the day. A cavalcade of our favorite -remaining- stars of yesteryear make copious cameos! John Agar! Les Tremayne! Gloria Talbott! To name a few. Hell, just seeing Kenneth Tobey back in his bomber jacket made me weepy! Intentionally cheeeze-tacular schlock with a side order of corn!

WARNING: Contains groan-inducing humor, gorillas with machine guns, and unnecessary nudity! Absurd, ridiculous, and possibly fattening!

Co-stars Brinke Stevens as Dr. Nikki Carlton and R.G. Wilson as Sheriff Lance Boiler. Watch for Linnea Quigley as an early victim!

I really did enjoy this film. Laughed out loud and saw the joy and love that went into the compilation and final cut. The parade of science fiction memories and stars from the 50s and 60s is almost breathtaking. The script is wry and spot on the various targets writer Ted Newsom sets up and knocks down as this tale of lunacy unfolds. You'll laugh but I assure you, you will NOT cry. A beautiful scientist, a handsome hero, bumbling assistants, various squashed red shirts, a brain-dead cop and a grizzled and sad monster killer PLUS three gorillas (Count 'Em, THREE!) combine to give the true fan a couple of hours of hoots and howls. EVERYbody got in on this one, including my personal favorite brilliant scientist: Robert Cornthwaite. Rock on Newsom. It's a beauty! Bring it out on DVD! -Jessie Lilley: http://www.mondocult.com