Quick Review: How to Make a Monster (1958)

 Another Svengoolie Review, albeit one that got delayed.  The more I thought about it, this Film was worth a look.  See why...

In the late '50s, the "Classics' were revived in a few ways (due to them being shown on this new thing called Television).

Outside of Hammer, you got AIP making two 'topical' versions with I Was a Teenage Werewolf and I Was a Teenage Frankenstein.

In a META twist, we see 'the man behind the make-up' as he works on a crossover Film (that doesn't exist).  He also works on the Studio Lot...that doesn't exist (they rented space).

He finds out some bad news- Monster Movies are out and he's fired.

So he does the only natural thing...

Use his special Mind Control Glue to make his Actors his Slaves that go out and kill the Studio Executives that are firing him.

He also does one himself, since, I guess you could only use them once each (for no clear reason).

This all leads up to a big Finale where he brings the Actors (who begin to suspect something is up) back to his place.  In a move that you can't do today (outside of Clerks 2), the final reel is in Color.

What does he have in store for his patsies?  What secrets does he hide?  Will this being in Color matter much?

To find out, watch the Film (but maybe not its Spiritual Remake in 2001).

A META premise that mostly works as low-budget shocker.  The basic premise- a make-up man uses his 'monsters' to get revenge- is a good one.  The fact that it is a Movie about making a fictional Movie that's a Crossover between 2 real Movies is interesting.  I wonder if someone turned down a Teenage Frankenstein/Werewolf Film and the annoyance at that inspired the Writer.  Probably not, but Head Canon is fun.  As a side-note, I wonder how the real Make-Up Man behind those Films felt about being turned into what was basically an evil Mad Scientist?  Honored?  Horrified?  He died in 1968, so I guess we'll never know.  It's also worth noting that the lead from Teenage Frankenstein is back, but NOT the lead from Teenage Werewolf.  Was Michael Landon too busy?  Yes, most likely.  Obviously the biggest thing to accept for this Plot to work with that a guy who does Hollywood Make-Up also found the time to make a mind-control glue.  When did he test it?  Who did he test it on?  I guess we'll never know.  As an otherwise by-the-numbers Thriller, it is fun.  It's not going to amaze you per se, but the mix of Mad Scientist tropes and META Commentary is enjoyable.  Another interesting thing to note is that a Black Actress actually gets a small, but key role in this one, despite being made in 1958.  They also used a Color Still of her Scene for a Lobby Card, despite that part being in B&W.

On paper, it is a truly novel concept.  In reality, it is a fun Horror Film that adds some extra color to an otherwise standard Feature.