HIDDEN (HUMOROUS) HORRORS

CRACKED wasn't the only humor mag that used photos from monster movies for their jokes. The gag mag POPULAR JOKES (Visual Varieties, Inc., May 1968) was yet another in the slew of adult cartoon digests and regular-size 'zines that offered risque single panel strips, short humorous text stories and semi-nude to all-nude photos and pin-ups, usually accompanied by a suggestive gag-line.

This issue has a two-page spread titled, "Have You Enjoyed An Out-of-the-Way Holiday Recently?" It includes two photos from horror flicks: Maria Ouspenskya as Maleva, "The Gypsy Woman" from THE WOLFMAN and Otto Kruger and Gloria Holden in DRACULA'S DAUGHTER.

Also in this issue is a spot pic of nudist and pin-up model, Diane Webber, star of MERMAIDS OF TIBERION (1962). The recycled photo was first used in a pictorial of Miss Weber in the men's adventure magazine, MAN'S ILLUSTRATED (February 1958). The cartoon on the top right panel is by Archie's own Dan DeCarlo.

Included is this full-page pinup of Austrian actress, Marisa Mell, taken around the time she was seen in Mario Bava's crime thriller DANGER: DIABOLIK. The captivating Miss Mell appeared in European films, including the Umberto Lenzi's giallo, SEVEN BLOOD-STAINED ORCHIDS (1972), VIOLENT BLOODBATH (1974),  PARAPSYCHO (1975), OBSCENE DESIRE (1978) and RING OF DARKNESS (1979), 

HAPPY FALL!

Autumn officially started yesterday!

"Even a man who is pure in heart,

and says his prayers by night,

may become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms,

and the autumn moon is bright!"

GINGER ROGERS SKETCHES MARIA

In the July 1938 issue of PHOTOPLAY, the perky actress, Ginger Rogers, was interviewed. The first question she was asked was, "What personal accomplishment are you most proud?" Her answer was a sketch she had done of Maria Ouspenskaya!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MALEVA!

When Maleva, the "Gypsy Woman", intones "De vay you valked wus torny", over the dying Larry Talbot in Universal's 1941 THE WOLF MAN, she lifted the curse of the werewolf forever, or at least a few years later until FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLFMAN.

Russian-born Maria Ouspenskaya (1876-1949) will be remembered by horror film fans for her brief, but indelible appearances as the aforementioned Maleva. She appears to come, literally out of the mist, to Talbot's aid in the most fortuitous of situations, as if she were his guardian angel.

The chain-smoking Ouspenskaya was quite respected as an actress in her day. IMDB states that she was "addicted" to astrology and would interrupt a film's production until the stars were right for her to go in front of the camera, which added a colorful but problematic dimension to her persona.

Following is an article from SCREENLAND, April 1941. In it, she reflects on her life and the struggles she had along her own "thorny way". When told by her mother, "You are an Ugly Duckling. Men will not seek you out. Your salvation lies in developing your intelligence", she knew she was telling her the truth and took her advice. The result was a remarkable life and career in the theater and films.

MALEVA!

It's true that Unviversal's monster movies wouldn't be much if it weren't for the monsters themselves and the mon-stars that played them. Production design, sets, scripts, and music also play a large part in the general atmosphere of these gothic greats.

Another important element that makes these vintage horror films classics are the numerous supporting cast members, many of them playing memorable roles that have over the years, become iconic in the oeuvre. After all, whrere would Dr. Frankenstein be without Dwight Frye's Fritz, or Rathbone's Frankenstein be without Lugosi's Ygor?

One of the most unique of these supporting players was a woman who knew how to "say her prayers by night" and avoid the bite of the werewolf -- the character that monster fans the world over know as "the old gypsy woman", Maleva, played by Maria Ouspenskaya.

Maria Ouspenskaya was born in Tula, Russia, on July 29, 1876. She played in hundreds of Russian films before coming to America to make a few more.

In her biography by Homer Dickens in SCREEN FACTS #4 (Fall 1963), he proclaims that her "unusual accent, luminous eyes and bold Tartar feautures created an image not easily forgotten". He goes on to chronicle her short run of 20 American films that includes her role as Maleva in THE WOLF MAN and FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLF MAN.

We all know and are endeared towards the character of Maleva as she is always seen as the wise benefactor and sometimes-protector of our anti-hero turned werewolf, Larry Talbot. The role couldn't have been more perfectly cast.