TOP TEN UNIVERSAL MONSTERS
Welcome to another of Blood Work's Top Ten Lists: October Edition.
The Universal Studios Monsters from the 1920's, 30's, 40's, and 50's are among the most recognizable horror icons the world over. Representatives of the golden age of horror cinema, many stemming from classic novels and age old myths and legends, these monsters are the stuff of nightmares plaguing humanity for hundreds of years. Captured on celluloid for our entertainment.
I love the classic Universal Monsters as well as the other movie monsters from that era, not just Universal Studios. But for the purposes of this list we'll stick strictly with Universal... with one exception, perhaps the only non-Universal monster to reach similar heights of iconography.
Disclaimer: This list is of MY PERSONAL FAVORITE monsters. I have enjoyed the classic Universal Monster movies since I was a child and they hold a special place in my black heart.
So, without further adieu...
#11
DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE
As always I throw in a bonus. This is the one exception to the Universal rule. Paramount Pictures actually contributed this horror gem in 1931, the same year we received the immortal classics from Universal Studios Frankenstein and Dracula.
This particular version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was portrayed by Academy Award winning actor Fredric March and has become perhaps the most well known and iconic film rendition of the character. When I saw the movie in my late twenties I instantly became a fan. The movie is pre-code era Hollywood with its share of risque content, making it all the more compelling. And Fredric March is scary. I daresay his Mr. Hyde is the only non Universal Monster that is iconic enough to stand up with Karloff and Lugosi.
#10
DR. GLENDON ~ WEREWOLF OF LONDON
Before Lon Chaney Jr. donned the make-up and became the iconic Wolf Man, actor Henry Hull portrayed Dr. Glendon, a botanist traveling in the remote areas of Asia in search of a lunar flower that only blooms in the light of the full moon. Attacked by a bizarre animal, Dr. Glendon was transformed into Universal Studios' first werewolf.
This werewolf was less wolf and more Mr. Hyde/vampiric ghoul. Maybe even a little Jack the Ripper for flavor. The Werewolf of London isn't the werewolf movie that typically comes to mind and that is a shame. The design of the monster and Henry Hull's performance I personally find more frightening than the Wolf Man. In any case, the Dr. Glendon werewolf is one of the scarier monsters in Universal's stable.
#9
IMHOTEP ~ THE MUMMY
Many consider Imhotep as Boris Karloff's greatest role in horror. The role showcased a wider range of what the actor was capable of as opposed to the rather limited Frankenstein Monster. The make-up for the Mummy by film legend Jack Pierce is nothing short of amazing. The only unfortunate aspect about it all is that there is only one small fleeting scene with Karloff in full Mummy dressing.
Imhotep is more a sorcerer than a Mummy which is both a strength of the character and a weakness in my opinion. With today's special effects the potential for Imhotep is far greater as demonstrated in the Stephen Sommers films. Even so, Karloff's performance in the Mummy is one of his key roles in solidifying him as a film legend.
Imhotep is more a sorcerer than a Mummy which is both a strength of the character and a weakness in my opinion. With today's special effects the potential for Imhotep is far greater as demonstrated in the Stephen Sommers films. Even so, Karloff's performance in the Mummy is one of his key roles in solidifying him as a film legend.
#8
THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN
One of the most iconic characters in horror and perhaps the most fleeting performance of them all. The Bride of Frankenstein only appears in the final ten minutes of the film with less than five minutes of screen time. A testament to Elsa Lanchester's incredible performance and the costume design, now an instantly recognizable image.
Lanchester's performance is both amazing and weird at the same time. It's almost like a cross between a hostile cat and swan. Elegant and beautiful while simultaneously disturbing. If only for the third film we could've seen a full movie with the Monster and his Bride. And yet, maybe it's the small amount of footage that makes the performance all the more legendary.
Lanchester's performance is both amazing and weird at the same time. It's almost like a cross between a hostile cat and swan. Elegant and beautiful while simultaneously disturbing. If only for the third film we could've seen a full movie with the Monster and his Bride. And yet, maybe it's the small amount of footage that makes the performance all the more legendary.
#7
THE WOLF MAN
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| Artwork by Basil Gogos |
Universal's werewolf take two. Lap dissolves and a ton of make-up made Lon Chaney Jr.'s transformation from Lawrence Talbot into the Wolf Man the stuff of legends. The pentagram on the hand, the mark of the beast, lends a demonic element to the werewolf which I find very interesting and frightening.
Of the five classic films featuring the Wolf Man only Lon Chaney Jr. ever played the character. He's fought Frankenstein's Monster and Dracula and has inspired nearly every werewolf film afterwards in one form or another. Despite being the second of Universal's werewolves no other film lycanthrope has had greater influence on horror.
Of the five classic films featuring the Wolf Man only Lon Chaney Jr. ever played the character. He's fought Frankenstein's Monster and Dracula and has inspired nearly every werewolf film afterwards in one form or another. Despite being the second of Universal's werewolves no other film lycanthrope has had greater influence on horror.
#6
JACK GRIFFIN ~ THE INVISIBLE MAN
One of the best horror films ever made, Claude Rains brings the Invisible Man to life with the same power of that of Lugosi and Karloff. His voice is powerful and memorable and he plays the character with cruel glee and madness. It is amazing to watch, er- Not watch Rains' amazing performance.
The special effects are nothing short of spectacular. Watching the character of Jack Griffin as he removes the bandages covering his body never gets old. All in all it's a wonderful film from top to bottom and probably stands up better today than any other Universal Monster picture.
#5
COUNT DRACULA
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| Art by Basil Gogos |
One of the pillars of horror in any and all mediums, the definitive vampire, Count Dracula. Bela Lugosi's rendition is quite different from Bram Stoker's Dracula. Lugosi's image is handsome and exotic rather than repulsive like Stoker's. Dracula's costume too is different in the novel. Thank goodness Stoker never lived to see it.
Like the Wolf Man, vampires have been forever influenced by this rendition of Dracula. Perhaps the most menacing monster of them all, Dracula has left a permanent impression in the minds of the populace. What's a real shame is that Bela Lugosi's Dracula is vanquished at the end of the first film and Lugosi doesn't reprise the role until 18 years later in the comedy Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein. It's a real shame because is amazing as the Count.
Like the Wolf Man, vampires have been forever influenced by this rendition of Dracula. Perhaps the most menacing monster of them all, Dracula has left a permanent impression in the minds of the populace. What's a real shame is that Bela Lugosi's Dracula is vanquished at the end of the first film and Lugosi doesn't reprise the role until 18 years later in the comedy Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein. It's a real shame because is amazing as the Count.
#4
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
Perhaps Universal Studios' first actual horror film, Lon Chaney Sr.'s unforgettable role as the Phantom set the bar for Hollywood film monsters everywhere. The determination and inventiveness of the Phantom gives the character a frightening persona. Add in Chaney's nightmarish make-up and the stuff of legends is born.
It was the Masquerade Ball sequence in the film that made me a fan of this character. Dressed as Death, his mere presence commands the attention of everyone and holds them in suspense. The scene is also in complete and stunning color (remember this is a 1925 silent film. Color was unexpected to say the least). Lon Chaney's Phantom is the first and some might say greatest of Universal's monster.
#3
KHARIS ~ THE LIVING MUMMY
Growing up watching these old horror movies, the mummy films passed me by. It wasn't until much later that I finally saw them. With the original 1932 Mummy film I was initially disappointed in that we only see Boris Karloff in full mummy dressing for less than a minute. I soon discovered it was the following four mummy films that had what I was wanting.
Kharis, the cursed re-animated Egyptian priest is my all-time favorite film mummy. Silent, shambling, hellbent on murder, I see Kharis as a sort of super-zombie and a template for 80's slashers expressing the same peculiar demeanor. Kharis embodies all the characteristics that make Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees so frightening.
Growing up watching these old horror movies, the mummy films passed me by. It wasn't until much later that I finally saw them. With the original 1932 Mummy film I was initially disappointed in that we only see Boris Karloff in full mummy dressing for less than a minute. I soon discovered it was the following four mummy films that had what I was wanting.
Kharis, the cursed re-animated Egyptian priest is my all-time favorite film mummy. Silent, shambling, hellbent on murder, I see Kharis as a sort of super-zombie and a template for 80's slashers expressing the same peculiar demeanor. Kharis embodies all the characteristics that make Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees so frightening.
#2
FRANKENSTEIN'S MONSTER
The classic monster of monsters, a perversion of nature and a slight against God. Frankenstein's Monster is one of the most compelling characters in film and literature. Frankenstein is my favorite book and the 1931 Frankenstein film is one of my favorite horror movies. The character of Frankenstein's Monster is compelling no matter what form he takes, a testament to the power of the story and character.
Frankenstein's Monster is also a character with considerable complexity. He is both a terrifying and sympathetic figure. A misunderstood monster like King Kong or the Incredible Hulk (two of my top three favorite fictional characters). And let's not forget Boris Karloff's striking and iconic visage as the Monster.
The Monster would undoubtedly be my number one if not for the next monster from Universal.
#1
THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON
The design. I remember first seeing an image of the Creature (or Gill Man to some) and being instantly captivated. Once I saw a picture of him I immediately wanted to see the movie. One of my fondest memories as a child was receiving the VHS tape of The Creature From The Black Lagoon for Christmas. Still to this day I find the Creature's design incredibly compelling.
The mysteries of nature, what "creatures" exist that have yet to be discovered in the further reaches of the Amazon or the darkest depths of the ocean is an incredibly compelling concept. His first two films together basically retell the story of King Kong, my all-time favorite movie. As much as I long to see a big full color modern remake of the Creature, no retelling could ever equal the incredible experience of the original, and no updated redesign could ever surpass the 1954 image.
The Creature From The Black Lagoon is one of the reasons I love monsters and horror films.
The mysteries of nature, what "creatures" exist that have yet to be discovered in the further reaches of the Amazon or the darkest depths of the ocean is an incredibly compelling concept. His first two films together basically retell the story of King Kong, my all-time favorite movie. As much as I long to see a big full color modern remake of the Creature, no retelling could ever equal the incredible experience of the original, and no updated redesign could ever surpass the 1954 image.
The Creature From The Black Lagoon is one of the reasons I love monsters and horror films.
And there you have it! My Top Ten favorite Universal Monsters!
HONORABLE MENTIONS: Gwynplaine (the Man Who Laughs), Count Alucard (Son of Dracula), Countess Zaleska (Dracula's Daughter), Quasimodo (Hunchback of Notre Dame), Igor, Dracula's Brides, the Metaluna Mutant, and more!
Have your own favorite Universal Monsters? List them in the comments below!
And for more Top Ten Lists check out these below!
TOP TEN DOCTOR STRANGE VILLAINS
Check out these film reviews too of the classic Universal Monsters!
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