ORIGINAL CREATURE HEAD CASTS

Born of the original movie filmed in 1954 the Gillman went on to appear in two sequels. The title character, however iconic was the result of some good old Hollywood trial and error. The Creature heads that are most represented in our culture on posters or toys are the “land head” worn by Ben Chapman and the “underwater head” worn by Ricou Browning. The Creature was initially conceived as a homage to the Oscar statuette and the first designs to come out of Bud Westmore's Universal Studios make up department were sleeker and more human like. The Creature Prototype head has been the subject of much conjecture over the years. At one time the theory was presented that there might have been plans for a “female version” of the Gillman. Although it's original or subsequent use is unknown its provenance is clear. This Prototype Creature head is from the same mold used to create the mask worn by Ricou Browning in the very early test stages of the film. The foam filled head is the original as it was pulled from the original mold. The first sequel made to cash in on the success was The Revenge of the Creature in 1955. This time around the monster was played by Tom Hennesy above the water and, once again, Ricou Browning swam the part below the water. For reasons lost to time the Universal Studios make up department altered its iconic Gillman design for the sequel. The once sleek Creature head was re-imagined in a “boxier” form. This Revenge of the Creature head was clay pressed from an existing Revenge of the Creature head many years ago. That clay press was meticulously cleaned up thus refining all of the original folds and bumps so evident on the actual screen used mask.

[SOURCE: iCollector.com]

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO MY MAD LOVE

One wonders what Dr. Gogol might have written had he sent a Valentine's Day card to the lovely Yvonne!

Rivaling Universal's THE BLACK CAT in its litany of perversities, MGM's MAD LOVE (a,k.a. THE HANDS OF ORLAC) reads like a What's What of the unnatural: Obsession, lust, greed, lunacy, fetishism, you name it.

Peter Lorre really got into his role as the sinister surgeon and eschewed the bald head cap for the barber's razor to shave his head. Just a couple of years away from his alcohol-related death, Colin Clive plays his usual hysteric role as a famous pianist who loses both his hands. His wife, Yvonne Orlac, is the hapless victim of the diabolical Dr. Gogol's twisted love. Played by Frances Drake, can you blame him?

Here are a trio of startling studio photograph negatives of Peter Lorre (one shown above) in his role, probably shot by Clarence Sinclair Bull. Following is a little story to read to your Valentine today, the Filmbook of MAD LOVE from FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND #63 (March 1970).

Gogol by Gogos.

BARBARA CARRERA ON THE ISLAND OF DR. MOREAU

Not your average bear for obvious reasons.

MONSTERS CAN TURN UP IN the least likely of places. They can also turn up in the least likely of magazines, too.

Take a now-obscure side project of PENTHOUSE magazine mogul Bob Guccione, for instance. Long-dead VIVA: The International Magazine for Women, premiered in 1973 and saw its last issue published in 1980. Marketed for "adult women", it focused on female's fantasies and other groovy and sexy topics that came gushing out of the publishing world's coke-addled brains (and noses) when the 70s were full of swingers . . . er, full swing.

But here's where the monsters come in. The August 1977 issue included a pictorial travelogue of sorts that covered the -- at the time -- almost-released AIP-produced, MGM-distributed THE ISLAND OF DR. MOREAU. This, the second of 3 film versions (so far) from H.G. Wells' classic novel, was cast heavy with stars such as Michael York, Nigel Davenport and Richard Basehart. Burt Lancaster played Dr. Moreau (a tidge better than the gawd-awful Brando version -- but both not even close to the Charles Laughton portrayal).

(Pictured above left: There oughta be a law! Some lucky Humanimal(TM) has the pleasure of posing in an intimate embrace with the cook-an-egg-on-the-sidwalk hot Barbara Carrera.)

The movie's not too bad, but despite all the publicity and hype it fairly flopped at the box office (it cost $6,000,000 to make), mostly, I think, because of a lousy script. It wasn't because of the high-quality special makeup effects designed and created by Messrs. John Chambers and Tom Burman, either. And it definitely wasn't because of the onscreen prescence of the scorching hot Nicaraguan beauty, Barbara Carrera, in a role made especially for her in only her fourth film.

The article was written and photographed for obvious publicity reasons. The location was not on Dr. Moreau's island, however. Davis Bay on St. Croix, Virgin Islands is still pretty remote and exotic, though. While the monsters are impressive, I'd have to say that Miss Carrera steals the show, however.

In a move that was one part pride of ownership, one-part corporate exclusivity, and a dash of Hollywood ego, Dr. Moreau's creatures, known as "manimals" to us Monster Kids raised on Forry's formula bottle filled with FAMOUS MONSTERS, the appliance-laden actors were trademarked with the term, Humanimals(TM)!

BONUS! Included here are a trio of test shots from the development phase of "Humanimals(TM)" Michael York (color shot) and Sayer of the Law Richard Basehart (B&W shots). They were up for bid at a recent iCollector online auction.

EXTRA SPECIAL BONUS! The MONSTER MAGAZINE WORLD "Horror Hotties" page is now officially open. All red-blooded males and other hearty sorts are welcome to view it HERE. However, if you are even remotely offended by gratuitous images of Scream Queens sans their costumes, then DO NOT click on the link and you'll stay right here.

THIS FEATURES THE CREATURE

To mangle a phrase, "The Creature's worth a thousand pictures". The Universal denizen of the fabled Black Lagoon is side-by-side in popularity with Godzilla for monsters of the atom age.

A favorite subject in the pages of many monster magazines, the original Goonie enjoys a cult popularity like few others. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say he's my favorite monster from the 1950's. Few monster designs can be considered downright "cool" and The Creature From the Black Lagoon is one of them. The simple, but unique story of the Creature comes complete with its own mythology, and when you add one of the hottest of the classic horror hotties, Julie Adams, in her striking one-piece white bathing suit to the mix, who can complain?

While I don't have a thousand pictures (maybe hundreds) in my collection, I do have a few to share. This gallery has been compiled from a few auction sources. Creature collectibles can be an expensive hobby. For instance, the group of lobby cards shown below collectively sold for over $2,000.

MY, WHAT BIG, BULGING EYES YOU HAVE, MR. SPACEMAN!

Who can forget the bug-eyed aliens of KILLERS FROM SPACE? Offered at auction is a (partially) screen-used prop rarity that is expected to take in up to $1,200. This would definitely be a good living room conversation piece, don't you think?

"A rare find for cult classic collectors! A whole generation of young filmgoers forever had nightmares after seeing the "Marty Feldman" bulging eyes sprouting from the aliens in the unforgettable 1954 sci-fi "Killers From Space" (directed by Billy Wilder's brother and starring Peter Graves!). These infamous eyes were created by legendary low-budget makeup artist Henry Thomas of the original "Little Shop Of Horrors" and "Plan 9 From Outer Space" fame. There were only a half dozen or so of these iconic eyes created and are extremely difficult to find. As an extra added bonus these hero screen used eyes are mounted on a specially crafted custom life-size head piece based on the Lead Alien, Deneb Tala. The amazing head includes his overly busy eyebrows, and monk-link hood and neck piece. A magnificent museum quality display from the movie mother's used to worn their children about (if you watch too much TV your eyes will budge out like the Killers From Space")! Each eye is approx. 2"x2". Realistic head display is foam rubber and is 12"x7"x11"."

 

RICK BAKER'S BABY HEAD IS ALIVE

Presented here is a prototype of the IT'S ALIVE baby critter from the eponymous-titled movie. The approximately 8" high bundle of joy was a creation of makeup and special effects master, Rick Baker. At auction, it was expected to sell between $2,000 and $2,500.

Here is the auctioneer's description:
 
"It's Alive" (1974) still shocks almost 40 years later. The story of a sweet infant who turns out to be a monster who kills when it's scared scored huge at the box office. And it had some amazing talents, including a score by the legendary Bernard Hermann and the baby creature created by the equally legendary Rick Baker. This is a prototype exact replica of "the baby", created at Rick Baker's studios during production. Made of formed foam rubber and painstakingly painted it also includes its demonic Plexiglass eyes and killer teeth. In perfect condition, even after all these years. (Approx. 8"x7"x7")."

Rick Baker's talents were also showcased in an article written by Saul Kahan for FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND #105 (March 1974). In it, Baker was described as having Lon Chaney-quality skills and was destined to be the next "up-and-coming" makeup and special effects star. Well, they were right, weren't they?