The Monkey Man of New Delhi is a monster that was reported roaming Delhi, India, in mid-2001.

In May 2001, reports began to circulate in the Indian capital New Delhi of a strange monkey-like creature that was appearing at night and attacking people. Eyewitness accounts were often inconsistent, but tended to describe the creature as about four feet (120 cm) tall, covered in thick black hair, with a metal helmet, metal claws, glowing red eyes and three buttons on its chest; others, however, described the Monkey Man as having a more vulpine snout, and being up to eight feet tall, and muscular; it would leap from building to building like a parkour enthusiast.

Still others described it as a bandaged figure or as a helmeted thing. Theories on the nature of the Monkey Man ranged from an Avatar of the Hindu god Hanuman, to an Indian version of Bigfoot.

Many people reported being scratched, and two (by some reports, three) people even died when they leapt from the tops of buildings or fell down stairwells in a panic caused by what they thought was the attacker. At one point, exasperated police even issued artist’s impression drawings (see above) in an attempt to catch the creature.

Further sightings were reported in Kanpur in February 2002 and New Delhi in July 2002, the latter describing a monkey-like machine that sparkled red and blue lights

The entire incident has been described as an example of mass hysteria.

Wikipedia | Thanks to Blumhouse.com for inspiring this post

War for the Planet of the Apes is a 2017 American science fiction film directed by Matt Reeves (Dawn of the Planet of the Apes; Let Me In; Cloverfield) from a screenplay co-written with Mark Bomback (Total Recall; The Night Caller).

The film stars Andy Serkis (Burke and Hare; King Kong; The Cottage), Woody Harrelson (Zombieland), Steve Zahn, Judy Greer, Karin Konoval, and Terry Notary (Kong: Skull Island).

Principal photography began on October 14, 2015 in Vancouver. The film is scheduled to be released on July 14, 2017 through 20th Century Fox in 2D, 3D, RealD 3D and Large Format.

Plot:

Following the events of Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Caesar and his ape colony are embroiled in a battle with an army of humans. When the apes suffer heavy losses, Caesar wrestles with his darker instincts as he resolves to avenge his kind.

The ensuing battle puts Caesar against the humans’ leader, a ruthless Colonel, in an encounter that will determine the fate of their species and Earth’s future…

Cast and characters:

Apes:

• Andy Serkis as Caesar
• Steve Zahn as Bad Ape
• Judy Greer as Cornelia
• Karin Konoval as Maurice
• Terry Notary as Rocket
• Max Lloyd-Jones as Blue Eyes
• Aleks Paunovic
• Sara Canning

Humans:

• Woody Harrelson as the Colonel, a ruthless senior military colonel and the leader of the human armies.
• Gabriel Chavarria as Preacher, a soldier who is allied with the apes.
• Chad Rook as Boyle
• Amiah Miller

Wikipedia | IMDb

Skull Island: The Birth of Kong is a 2017 monthly comic book written by Arvid Nelson with artwork by Zid.

The comic serves as both a prequel and sequel to the blockbuster film Kong: Skull Island, in addition to paving the way for future entries in the ‘MonsterVerse’. The first issue is released on September 12, via Legendary Comics.

Official synopsis:

Skull Island: The Birth of Kong tells of a secret team of Monarch operatives returning to Skull Island to discover the truth behind Kong and the island he was born to protect.

In doing so, they unlock an ancient history of monster conflict, witness the primal war between Kong and an otherworldly ecosystem of deadly new creatures, and finally reveal how this lonely god became the last of his kind.

Featuring new monsters and previously unseen Skull Island locations, the book gives fans a chance to see how Kong has evolved since the events of the film.

Related: Comics from Hell: The Horror Films That Spawned Comics – article

‘Big meets bigger’

Rampage is a 2018 American action monster film directed by Brad Peyton from a screenplay by Ryan Engle. It is based on the 1980’s arcade video game of the same name by Midway Games.

The film stars Dwayne Johnson, Naomie Harris, Malin Åkerman, Joe Manganiello, Jake Lacy, Marley Shelton, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan.

Primatologist Davis Okoye, a man who keeps people at a distance, shares an unshakable bond with George, the extraordinarily intelligent, albino silverback gorilla who has been in his care since birth.

However, a rogue genetic experiment gone awry mutates this gentle ape into a raging creature of enormous size. To make matters worse, it’s soon discovered there are other similarly altered animals.

As these newly created alpha predators tear across North America, destroying everything in their path, Okoye teams with a discredited genetic engineer to secure an antidote, fighting his way through an ever-changing battlefield, not only to halt a global catastrophe but to save the fearsome creature that was once his friend…

New Line Cinema will release Rampage on April 20, 2018 in RealD 3D and IMAX.

Main cast:

• Dwayne Johnson as Davis Okoye, a primatologist and head of an anti-poaching unit out of Rwanda.
• Naomie Harris as Dr. Kate Caldwell, a discredited genetic engineer who teams up with Okoye.
• Malin Åkerman as Claire Wyden, the villainess who infects a gorilla, alligator and wolf with a serum that will cause rapid growth and induced rage.
• Joe Manganiello as Burke, the leader of a private military group
• Jake Lacy
• Marley Shelton as a scientist and astronaut
• Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Agent Russell, a government agent with attitude who works for an agency called OGA.
• P. J. Byrne as a scientist
• Jack Quaid
• Matt Gerald
• Breanne Hill as Amy
• Urijah Faber

Filming locations:

Principal photography began on April 17, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois, USA

Wikipedia | IMDb | Official site

‘She’ll suck more than your blood!’

Sexcula is a 1974 Canadian adult science fiction horror film that was previously considered to be ‘lost’. Shot in Vancouver, British Columbia, by Bob Hollowich it was screened once before disappearing and has been sought after by cult sinema aficionados for decades. It stars Debbie Collins, Jamie Orlando and John Alexander.

A young woman inherits a mansion and discovers an old diary that details the exploits of Dr. Fellatingstein (Jamie Orlando), who has created a man named Frank (John Alexander) to satisfy her insatiable desires Unfortunately, Frank doesn’t seem up to the task. Frustrated, she summons a relative, Countess Sexula (Debbie Collins), to assist her in arousing Frank to perform. A gorilla and a female pleasure-robot are also involved…

Following a print being discovered in the Canadian Film Archives, Impulse Pictures, an imprint of Synapse Films, released this hardly seen movie on DVD on April 9 2013.

Buy: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk

Reviews:

“… fairly horrible but no less enjoyable and everyone in front of the camera seems to be in on the joke. Even if the performances are goofy and wooden, the cinematography fairly primitive and the whole thing completely ludicrous, this makes for a fun watch.” Ian Jane, Rock! Shock! Pop!

“On most levels, Sexcula is poorly made. The director and cinematographer have little clue about staging scenes in any interesting way. The film is indifferent to the period setting – with telephones and modern lights turning up in the supposed 1869 era. This does lead to the occasional breaking of the fourth wall…” Richard Scheib, Moria

” …it’s a brew so completely out of its mind you won’t believe it exists even after watching it. A mad female scientist, a lady robot, a lust-crazed bisexual ape, random inserts, nonsensical plotting, and terrible, terrible acting. In short, it’s pretty glorious.” Nathaniel Thompson, Mondo Digital

Buy: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.ca

“The film’s visuals are actually very good, especially the more sexually charged moments. Pacing is never an issue as things move along nicely from one sexual rendezvous to the next. And even the in between moments that give the viewer more character backstory are all very entertaining and at times extremely amusing.” Chris Wood, 10k Bullets

“With its gorilla suits, crackling electronic equipment and references to classic Universal monsters, Sexcula manages to be almost as out-of-time as the Countess’ bedside telephone—a genre-mixing curiosity piece that is still fun but, like other Canadian films of its ilk, a little sexually self-conscious in the way it keeps insisting on its own artifice.” Canuxploitation!

Main cast:

• Debbie Collins in dual roles as Countess Sexcula and an aroused bride
• Jamie Orlando as Fellatingstein
• John Alexander
• Tim Lowery
• Bud Coal
• Marie McLeod
• David F. Hurry
• Julia Simons
• Franklin Parker
• Clarence Frog

IMDb

HORRORPEDIA on social media:  Facebook | Google+ | Pinterest | Tumblr | Twitter

The Monster and the Girl is a 1941 crime science fiction horror film directed by Stuart Heisler from a screenplay by Stuart Anthony. It stars Ellen Drew, Robert Paige, Paul Lukas and Joseph Calleia. Horror veterans Onslow Stevens and George Zucco round out the cast.

The movie was released by Paramount Pictures.

A gangster named Scot Webster (Philip Terry) attempts to save his sister, Susan (Ellen Drew) from the clutches of rival gangster W. S. Bruhl (Paul Lukas). When one of Bruhl’s gang members catches Scot in Bruhl’s rented room, one of Scot’s aides is killed by a gunman. The man tosses him the gun and disappears. Scot is tried and executed.

A mad scientist (George Zucco) salvages his brain and transplants it into a gorilla. Using the strength of his new, bestial body, Webster begins stalking the gangsters to exact his revenge…

Reviews:

‘The first half of this movie is a mess; it’s a complicated, confusing story about a woman who marries a gangster, and trying to sort out the characters is a pain; you really start wondering why it’s considered a horror movie […] However, something very strange happens in the second half; once the brother’s brain is in the body of the gorilla, it becomes almost another movie and a memorable one at that.” Dave Sindelar, Fantastic Movie Musings and Ramblings

” …basically what you get here is about a third of a monster movie, and a long wait for it. The monster parts make satisfying viewing, but what it takes to get there…. Well maybe that’s why God gave us fast-forward.” Dan Stumpf, Mystery File

“Monster’s screenplay has some very interesting points, including a mixture of noir and horror which, while not totally successful, offers some rewards, as well as its nimble manner in skirting the Code’s prohibition against prostitution. With one exception, the cast is also much better than one usually finds in horror films of this type.” AllMovie

“Surprisingly well acted, it is also directed with real flair, notably in a sequence where the gorilla (constantly threatened with betrayal by a puzzled dog who recognises his master somewhere in there) stalks the rooftop in parallel with his gangster-prey strolling in the deserted nighttime street below.” Time Out (London)

” …the producers have exhumed the old affair of the scientist and the simian with a transplanted human brain. Whimsically, the lady’s brother provides the brain for the marauding monk, making them relatives under the skin, so to speak, and confusing the family tree no end. Sometimes we can’t believe our eyes.” The New York Times, March 20, 1941

Cast and characters:

• Ellen Drew as Susan Webster
• Robert Paige as Larry Reed
• Paul Lukas as W. S. Bruhl – The Ghost Breakers
• Joseph Calleia as ‘Deacon’
• Onslow Stevens as J. Stanley McMasters – Them!; Mark of the Gorilla; The Creeper; House of Dracula
• George Zucco as Dr. Perry
• Rod Cameron as Sam Daniels
• Phillip Terry as Scot Webster
• Marc Lawrence as Sleeper
• Gerald Mohr as Munn
• Bud Jamison as Jim
• Emory Parnell as Policeman

Wikipedia | IMDb

Related: Going Ape! A Short History of Who’s Inside the Gorilla Suit – article

Kong: King of the Apes is a CGI animated series produced by 41 Entertainment due to premiere in 2016 on Netflix. The series will be executive produced by Avi Arad, who has worked on a number of superhero movies, including Spider-Man, X-Men and Marvel’s Iron Man.

Plot teaser:

San Francisco, 2050: The famous prison island of Alcatraz has been converted into a Natural History and Marine Preserve, and Kong is its star attraction. But after escaping from the island, Kong is framed by a villain, who plans to unleash an army of giant robotic dinosaurs on the world. Soon, Kong is the only thing standing between the monsters and total destruction…

‘Young pawns thrust into pulsating cages of horror in a sadistic experiment!’

Teenage Zombies – re-release title Teenage Torture – is a 1957 [released 1960] American science fiction horror film written [as Jaques Lecotier], produced and directed by Jerry Warren (Creature of the Walking Dead; Face of the Screaming Werewolf; Curse of the Stone Hand). The movie stars Don Sullivan, Katherine Victor and Steve Conte.

The film’s soundtrack score was recycled from Kronos (1957).

Warren revisited some elements of the plot for Frankenstein Island (1981).

While boating, a quartet of teenagers, Reg (Don Sullivan), Skip (Paul Pepper), Julie (Mitzie Albertson), and Pam (Brianne Murphy), accidentally discover an island run by a mad scientist named Doctor Myra who, backed by foreign agents from “the East”, intends to turn everyone in the United States into a zombie.

The teenagers become trapped on the island, and are temporarily imprisoned in cages. They are freed when other teenagers arrive with the sheriff (who turns out to be in league with Doctor Myra).

A complicated fight scene serves as the climax, in which a de-zombified gorilla arrives just in time to attack Dr. Myra’s henchmen and allow the teens to escape. When they are safely back on the mainland, it is implied that the teens will receive a reward for discovering the island, and will have an audience with the President of the United States.

On November 10, 2015, Vinegar Syndrome issued the film on a DVD double-bill with 1959 nudie western Revenge of the Virgins (co-written by Edward D. Wood Jr.). Both films are presented in 1.85.1 anamorphic widescreen in black and white transfers taken from 2K scans of the original 35mm negatives.

Buy Vinegar Syndrome DVD: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk

Reviews:

“To some, Teenage Zombies is a fun and hilariously bad movie. To most, it’s absolute torture to sit through. Either way, it’s cheap, poorly filmed, endlessly talky, slow-moving, technically inept, bargain basement garbage. The acting and dialogue are both terrible, nearly the entire thing is comprised of medium shots which seem to go on forever… The Bloody Pit of Horror

“Teenage Zombies is often considered one of the worst horror films ever made. The claustrophobic sets–the ice cream parlor, the general’s headquarters (complete with large map), the police station, and Victor’s lab–all look like they were shot in someone’s house, and it’s enough to make Eddie Wood blush.” DVD Drive-in

“Entire scenes will go by in one master shot, even when only one person speaks throughout the whole thing. Occasional (very occasional) close-ups seem jarringly out of place on the rare times they occur, and you get the impression that they are being used to hide edits than the result of any sort of creative decision. I think there are about 100 cuts in the entire movie.” Horror Movie a Day

“To the stock music that in no way matches any of the film over which it blares — to gargantuan plot holes, non-existent special effects, and an ending that just sort of drags on and on like an elaborate but poorly constructed joke. Teenage Zombies has absolutely nothing going for it. But Teenage Zombies is hilariously awful, and at 70 or so minutes doesn’t overstay its welcome.” Horrorview.com

“Don’t expect much zombie action here, but the junky charms of this film are plentiful as it reels out pages and pages of ridiculous “gee, whiz!” dialogue, a clunky soundtrack cobbled together with stock music from other ’50s sci-fi films, and some juicy overacting from the villainous actors, not to mention “minimalist” sets that would get thrown out of most high school plays. Yep, this one’s a keeper.” Nathaniel Thompson, Mondo Digital

“Teenage Zombies is only 70 minutes long, but that’s not exactly indicative of a breezy watch when it comes to awful films from this period. Manos was shorter, and we all know what kind of a ride that movie is! But thankfully, this move is never boring, and it gets into gear very quickly.” Not This Time, Nayland Smith

” …Teenage Zombies is a lot of good, dopey fun. It’s never even close to scary and very much a product of its time but that’s half the charm of a B picture like this. Warren keeps things moving at a pretty quick pace and has a tendency to throw in a strange plot device anytime the story seems like it’s going to slow down, so we wind up with a picture that is, if not particularly logical, pretty entertaining.” Ian Jane, Rock! Shock! Pop!

Buy Alpha Video DVD: Amazon.com

“These are the types of zombies that were usually featured in the horror films of old – mindless beings who did whatever they were called upon to do by their masters and though not as fun as the brain-eating kind, they still had a charm about them. The most enjoyable part of it all was not the terrible acting or the hammy script, but the hypnotized ape who took his revenge in the end. Though it might have faults, more than a few even, Teenage Zombies is not the worst feature film that Warren would ever produce…” The Telltale Mind

Buy Bayview Entertainment DVD: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk

“There are mad, unregulated scientists, Communist scare business, hunchbacks with their eyes rolled up in their head, drugged out “zombies”, awful fashions (check out Morrie and Dottie’s rolled up baggies and her perfectly hideous hairdo) and even a guy in a gorilla suit. I ask you, what’s not to love?” Third Eye Cinema

Cast and characters:

• Don Sullivan as Reg – The Giant Gila Monster; The Monster of Piedras Blancas 
• Katherine Victor as Doctor Myra – Cape Canaveral Monsters
• Steve Conte as Whorf
• J.L.D. Morrison as Brandt
• Brianne Murphy as Pam
• Paul Pepper as Skip
• Mitzie Albertson as Julie
• Jay Hawk as Morrie
• Mike Concannon as Sheriff
• Nan Green as Dotty
• Don Neeley as Major Coleman
• Mitch Evans as Gorilla
• Chuck Niles as Ivan

Running time:

73 minutes

Trivia:

Actress Brianne Murphy was married to Jerry Warren and was also the production coordinator and wardrobe supervisor. She went on to direct Blood Sabbath (1972) and become an Emmy-winning cinematographer. In 1980, she became the first female to shoot a major studio, union picture (Fatso). [Thanks to The Bloody Pit of Horror for this info.]

Wikipedia | IMDb | American Film Institute

Whole movie at the Internet Archive

Image credits: Third Eye Cinema | Wrong Side of the Art!

Donate to HORRORPEDIA

$5.00

‘A love stranger than King Kong’

Schlock – aka The Banana Monster – is a 1971 American comedy horror feature film, written, directed by and starring John Landis (Burke & Hare; Innocent Blood; Michael Jackson’s Thriller; An American Werewolf in London). It was one of Rick Baker’s first makeup jobs.

The $60,000 movie was released in March 1973 by Jack H. Harris Enterprises (Equinox; The Blob and sequel).

Schlock will be released on Blu-ray on October 16, 2018, via Arrow Video. It has been restored in 4K from the original camera negative and features the original lossless mono soundtrack. Read further down for details.

Schlockthropus is a prehistoric apeman who falls in love with a teenage blind beauty and terrorises her Southern California suburb. Schlock is no ordinary simian as he possesses some very unusual skills. Among other things, he plays the piano and gives TV interviews…

Reviews:

“The jokes essentially stop coming about 20 minutes into the 80-minute Banana Monster, giving the last hour or so a palpable we’re-making-this-shit-up-as-we-go-along vibe, but anyone looking for nothing more than a film in which John Landis runs around in a monkey suit for 80 minutes won’t likely be disappointed.” Nathan Rabin, AV Club

“There are also some fun ideas (I love the TV newsman who hosts a “guess the body count” contest), and its heart is certainly in the right place. On the down side, the movie is unfocused; it has the bare minimum of a plot, and many of the scenes feel like random events placed in a random order.” Dave Sindelar, Fantastic Movie Musings and Ramblings

“When the humor lands, this movie can be hilarious, but in those slower sections, Schlock drags on and that grinds the fun to a halt. I think there’s more good than bad here though, with a lot of fun nods to classic b movies and such an offbeat, unpredictable atmosphere, so for me, this one is easily recommended.” Marc Fusion

“the energy and the creativity on display make this work, and credit where it’s due, that monkey suit is really nicely done (it’s no surprise that Baker went on to become one of the best in the effects business). This isn’t Landis’ best movie, nor his funniest, but for a first effort it’s pretty damned entertaining.” Ian Jane, Rock! Shock! Pop!

” …this writer found himself staring at the clock on multiple occasions. This film immediately gained a cult following when released in 1973, and seems to bare its fair share of fans to this day. It was far too unfunny, foolish, and uninterestingly to gain much praise from myself.” Chris Mayo, Severed Cinema

Cast and characters:

• John Landis … Schlock
• Saul Kahan … Detective Sgt. Wino
• Joseph Piantadosi … Ivan
• Richard Gillis … Officer Gillis
• Tom Alvich … Torn Cop
• Walter Levine … Police Thief
• Eric Allison … Joe Putzman
• Ralph Baker … Dying Man
• Gene Fox … Billy
• Susan Weiser-Finley … Betty
• Jonathan A. Flint … Bobby
• Amy Schireson … Barbara
• Belinda Folsey … Goria
• Emile Hamaty … Professor Shlibovitz
• Harriet Medin [credited as Enrica Blankey] … Mrs. Blinerman

Release:

Schlock will be released on Blu-ray on October 16, 2018, via Arrow Video. It has been restored in 4K from the original camera negative and features the original lossless mono soundtrack.

Graham Humphreys designed the new cover art, while the original poster will be on the reverse side.

• Audio commentary with writer-director John Landis and makeup artist Rick Baker
• Interview with author and critic Kim Newman
• Birth of a Schlock – 2017 interivew with writer-director John Landis
• Archival video interview with cinematographer Bob Collins
• 1972, 1979 and 1982 theatrical trailers
• Radio spots
• Collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Joe Bob Briggs (first pressing only)

Related:

Going Ape! – A Short History of Who’s Inside the Gorilla Suit – article

Trog – UK, 1970

Konga – UK, 1961

Murders in the Rue Morgue is a 1932 American horror feature film directed by Robert Florey (The Beast with Five Fingers) from a screenplay co-written with Ethel M. Kelly, Tom Reed and Dale Van Every, plus [uncredited] John Huston. It was very loosely based on Edgar Allan Poe‘s 1841 short story of the same name. The Universal production stars Sidney Fox, Bela Lugosi, Leon Ames and Bert Roach.

This film was apparently produced as a compensatory package for Lugosi and Florey, after both were dropped from the 1931 Frankenstein. Florey was replaced as director by James Whale, as producer Carl Laemmle Jr. was both unsatisfied with Florey’s work on the project, and had given Whale first choice of any Universal property at the time.

Despite the film being pre-Code, violent sequences prompted Universal to cut its running time from 80 minutes to 61 minutes. Unfortunately, the box office returns for Murders in the Rue Morgue were disappointing, and Lugosi’s original Universal contract for Dracula was not extended.

Plot:

Sideshow lecturer Dr. Mirakle (Bela Lugosi) and his ‘ape with a human brain’ Erik (Charles Gemora) take an unhealthy interest in Camille L’Espanaye (Sidney Fox). Mirakle uses his servant Janos (Noble Johnson) to find out where Camille lives.

When a woman he kidnaps off the streets (Arlene Francis) fails a blood compatibility test, he murders her. She’s just one of several victims who end up dumped into the Seine. Mirakle is intent on subjecting Camille to his weird experiments — but what exactly is he trying to achieve?

Reviews:

“The narrow streets of Paris seem perpetually shrouded in a semi-mist, and the old buildings loom over the streets at improbable angles. Lugosi hams it up as he always did, but somehow the movie would be less without his peculiarly mangled style of acting.” Richard Cross, 20/20 Movie Reviews

“Lugosi supplies an essential touch of rudimentary European mystery through non-acting tricks and his bewitching deconstruction of the English language […] Florey lacked James Whale‘s narrative rhythm and Tod Browning‘s authentic empathy. The result is a case of style over substance, with the style supplied by others.” Alfred Eaker, 366 Weird Movies

“The film’s stronger elements — a woman’s death in Mirakle’s lab, another who is murdered and left stuffed in a chimney — come across even more powerfully thanks to the fine cinematography of the masterful Karl Freund (Metropolis) […] Director Robert Florey does a solid job of keeping the action moving and the audience on its toes despite a script that does have its occasional lame points.” Patrick Legare, All Movie

“Beefed up with interesting sets that recall German Expressionist horrors of the silent era, the film is mostly badly acted and poorly written, with Lugosi’s eccentric performance being the sole ingredient that makes if of interest today. The gorilla is mainly an actor in a laughable furry suit and mask…” George R. Reis, DVD Drive-In

” …a hugely enjoyable mess, often derided for its awkward acting and logic-challenged story. Lugosi’s Dr. Mirakle is a total nut-job whose carnival sideshow is little more than a display of an ape named Erik and a distorted lecture on evolution. It emphasizes evolution as a (still-potent) threat to religious beliefs and mocks the idea that a special divinity sets man apart from the rest of creation.” Glenn Erickson, DVD Savant

” …the Caligari-like sets are great, the use of light and shadows (especially in Lugosi’s presentation of the ape) is wonderful, and a great deal of wit is evident in the proceedings. It lags a little in the middle of the movie, and, despite the fact that Mirakle has a gorilla (played by Charlie Gemora), they keep intercutting shots of a real chimpanzee in key scenes…” Dave Sindelar, Fantastic Movie Musings and Ramblings

“It is always a nostalgic joy to watch Lugosi at the peak of his scenery chewing powers. Despite the drippiness of its romantic leads, it remains a fascinating example of the homicidal ape sub-genre. Arguably, it has yet to receive proper due for its lasting influence.” Joe Bendel, J.B. Spins

” …Robert Florey reaches back to German Expressionism and in particular The Cabinet of Dr Caligari (1919). The streets of Paris are designed as a stylised world of arched black-and-white shadows, which gives the film a strikingly ornate look that many later, cheaper mad scientist films lack.” Richard Scheib, Moria

“The entire production suffers from an overzealous effort at terrorization, and the cast, inspired by the general hysteria, succumbs to the temptation to overact. Miss Sidney Fox and Leon Waycoff are the romantic leads and Bert Roach supplies some tepid comedy.” The New York Times, 1932

“Without music (in the early days of talkies, most films had no music track), the ape scenes are really bland and laughable and considering the sheer quality of most every other Universal horror flick to come out of their early cycle, the movie is a big letdown. One thing the film has going for it is it has a bit more implied violence…” Brett H., Oh, the Horror!

“The movie often falls back on comedy, and that definitely isn’t to everyone’s cup of tea. In spite of that, Murders in the Rue Morgue may be one of the more consistently morbid films from the era, often preying upon fears of scientific malfeasance and thinly-veiled implications of miscegenation to excite the audience.” Pre Code

“What the film does have in its favour is an attractively gothic look, with long shadows, atmospheric sets and the blessing of that photography, a few tricks such as grotesque closeups helping keep that air of menace. What it isn’t, despite the odd similarity to its source, is a decent Poe adaptation…” Graeme Clark, The Spinning Image

“This 1932 horror may not boast the strongest of plots. But it’s certainly worth seeing for Lugosi’s electrically-charged performance. His portrayal of the Darwin-obsessed Mirakle yields up some creepy acting from the horror icon. And he’s sporting one of his coolest looks ever in this one.” The Terror Trap

Cast and characters:

• Sidney Fox … Mlle. Camille L’Espanaye
• Bela Lugosi … Doctor Mirakle
• Leon Ames … Pierre Dupin (as Leon Waycoff)
• Bert Roach … Paul
• Betty Ross Clarke … Mme. L’Espanaye
• Brandon Hurst … Prefect of Police
• D’Arcy Corrigan … Morgue Keeper
• Noble Johnson … Janos The Black One
• Arlene Francis … Woman of the Streets
• Ted Billings … Sideshow Spectator (uncredited)
• Herman Bing Herman Bing … Franz Odenheimer (uncredited)
• Joe Bonomo … Gorilla (uncredited)
• Agostino Borgato … Alberto Montani (uncredited)
• Iron Eyes Cody … Indian at Sideshow (uncredited)
• Christian J. Frank … Gendarme Using Snuff (uncredited)
• Charles Gemora … Erik, the Gorilla (uncredited)
• Harrison Greene … Sideshow Barker (uncredited)
• Charlotte Henry … Blonde Girl in Sideshow Audience (uncredited)
• Harry Holman … Victor Albert Adolph Jules Hugo Louis Dupont, the Landlord (uncredited)
• Edna Marion … Mignette (uncredited)
• Torben Meyer … The Dane (uncredited)
• Charles Millsfield … Bearded Man at Sideshow (uncredited)
• Monte Montague … Workman / Gendarme (uncredited)
• John T. Murray … Gendarme (uncredited)
• Tempe Pigott … Crone (uncredited)
• Dorothy Vernon … Tenant (uncredited)
• Michael Visaroff … Mirakle’s Sideshow Barker (uncredited)
• Polly Ann Young … Girl (uncredited)

Some images are courtesy of Pre Code

Related:

Going Ape! – A Short History of Who’s Inside the Gorilla Suit – article

HORRORPEDIA is genuinely independent and we rely solely on the very minor income generated by affiliate links and online ads to maintain and grow our online presence. Please support us by not blocking ads on this website. Thank you.

Quick links to site contents:

A | B | C | D | E  | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

The post Murders in the Rue Morgue – USA, 1932 appeared first on HORRORPEDIA.

‘A horror film that will stiffen you with laughter!’

Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla is a 1952 comedy horror science fiction feature film directed by William Beaudine from a screenplay by Tim Ryan with additional dialogue by ‘Ukie’ Sherin and Edmond G. Seward.

The Realart Pictures production stars Bela Lugosi, Duke Mitchell, Sammy Petrillo (a duo that impersonated Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, they made Scared Stiff the following year), Charlita and Muriel Landers.

Plot:

On their way to perform in Guam for the troops, nightclub performers Duke Mitchell and Sammy Petrillo find themselves stranded on a seemingly treacherous island, known by the natives as “Kola Kola”. The natives are quite friendly, especially Nona (Charlita), the tribal chief’s daughter, who tries to help the two get off the island.

Though paradise has been found, for the time being, the duo soon discovers that a mad scientist named Dr. Zabor (Bela Lugosi) lives on the other side of the island. Seeing a chance to get help, the two visit the strange doctor in his “castle”.

Tension mounts as Duke falls in love with Nona. Seeing Duke as a threat, jealous Dr. Zabor plans to literally make a monkey out of Duke, for he too loves Nona. Sammy tries to help his pal, with unexpected results…

Reviews:

“As far as Lugosi is concerned, he plays his role straight […] and is fine. If anything, this film proves that it does indeed get worse than starring in Ed Wood movies as the films Lugosi made for the supposed “worst director of all time” are infinitely more interesting and entertaining that this one.” The Bloody Pit of Horror

“Bela is good in his patented “mad scientist” role, rising above the crappy material. He’s adept at comedy, too, as he’d proved years earlier in films like Broadminded and International House. Even in his deteriorated state, Bela Lugosi is better than anyone else in this dud.” Gary Loggins, Cracked Rear Viewer

“Poor Bela. By the time he got to the Fabulous 50s, he was sharing the screen with everything from a rubber octopus to transvestites. But nothing could have been more demeaning than acting alongside the flash-in-the-pan, non-comical duo of Duke Mitchell and Sammy Petrillo.” Joe Lozowsky, DVD Drive-In

“Laughs are thin on the ground, as is the plotting. There is some amusement to be had seeing Petrillo clap Lugosi on the back and shout, “Hiya Pop!”, but the rest of the gags are more along the lines of Petrillo being chased around by a fat girl…” Graeme Clark, The Spinning Image

Cast and characters:

• Bela Lugosi … Dr. Zabor
• Duke Mitchell … Duke Mitchell
• Sammy Petrillo … Sammy Petrillo
• Charlita … Nona
• Muriel Landers … Saloma
• AAl Kikume … Chief Rakos
• Mickey Simpson … Chula
• Milton Newberger … Bongo – the Witch Doctor
• Martin Garralaga … Pepe Bordo / Waiter
• Steve Calvert … Gorilla (uncredited)
• Ray Corrigan … Gorilla (uncredited)
• Luigi Faccuito … Native Warrior (uncredited)
• William Wilkerson … Native Warrior (uncredited)

Running time:

74 minutes

Production:

Filmed over a six-day period at the General Service Studios (now the Hollywood Center Studios) in Los Angeles on a budget of $12,000.

Release:

Released on September 4, 1952 in New York City. The movie was later reissued as The Boys from Brooklyn

Trivia:

The original title was White Woman of the Lost Jungle

Decades later, the film was referenced by Martin Landau, who watched it three times in preparation for his role as Lugosi in Tim Burton’s biopic Ed Wood, saying that it was “so bad that it made Ed Wood’s films look like Gone with the Wind.”

Image credits: The Bloody Pit of Horror

Related:

Going Ape! – A Short History of Who’s Inside the Gorilla Suit – article

HORRORPEDIA is genuinely independent and we rely solely on the very minor income generated by affiliate links and online ads to maintain and grow our online presence. Please support us by not blocking ads on our website. Thank you.

Quick links to site contents:

A | B | C | D | E  | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

The post Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla – USA, 1952 appeared first on HORRORPEDIA.

Link is being released on Blu-ray and DVD by Kino Lorber Studio Classics on May 14, 2019, with the following special features:

• Audio commentary by film historian Lee Gambin and film critic Jarret Gahan
• Deleted work print scenes (standard definition)
• Audio interview with director Richard Franklin
• Link theme demo by Jerry Goldsmith
• US Theatrical Trailer
• US Theatrical Teaser
• French Theatrical Trailer

Read below for more details about Link:

‘An experiment in terror’

Link is a 1986 British horror thriller feature film directed by Richard Franklin (Psycho II; Roadgames; Patrick) from a screenplay by Everett De Roche (Patrick; Long Weekend) from a story by Lee David Zlotoff and Tom Ackermann. The movie stars Terence Stamp and Elisabeth Shue.

In 1979, director Richard Franklin optioned a short outline which he described as “a sort of Jaws with chimps.” He did not do anything with it until Everett de Roche showed him a National Geographic article by Jane Goodall about violence among chimpanzees.

“The English setting to me was essential. I wanted to contrast the primitivism of jungle animals with Old World values, high culture, and “civilisation” – which is one of the subjects of the picture.” Richard Franklin

The soundtrack score was composed by Jerry Goldsmith (The Mummy; Alien; The Omen; et al).

Plot:

Jane, an American zoology student, takes a summer job at the lonely cliff-top home of a professor who is exploring the link between man and ape. Soon after her arrival he vanishes, leaving her to care for his three chimps: Voodoo, a savage female; the affectionate, child-like Imp; and Link – a circus ape trained as the perfect servant and companion.

A disturbing role reversal takes place in the relationship between master and servant and Jane becomes a prisoner in a simian house of horror. In her attempts to escape she’s up against an adversary with several times her physical strength – and the instincts of a bloodthirsty killer…

Although the title primate is clearly an orangutan, he is referred to as a chimpanzee through the entire film, and his fur appears to have been dyed black (orangutans have reddish-brown fur).

The film was bought for American release by Universal, who cut eight minutes out, despite Franklin’s objections. When EMI was taken over by the Cannon group, five more minutes were removed.

Reviews: 

“A great climax and priceless final shot bring the film to a sublime close and I was left sitting in the dark, wondering just how the hell the movie had worked at all. It’s a thought I find myself having during many Cannon productions. All production technicalities aside, Link stands with the best the company has to offer.” The Parallax Review

“Director Richard Franklin studied with Alfred Hitchcock, and obviously learned a thing or two at the feet of his master, as while this doesn’t have the same reputation as some of his other thrillers, it’s actually not half bad. The plot may be fairly basic, but he made that contribute to a straightforward suspense piece laced with themes around Link’s possible sexual attraction to Jane and his belief (as far as we can tell) that his kind are the superior species.” Graeme Clark, The Spinning Image

Buy DVD: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

“The small cast really gets into their roles as well actually sucking the viewer into Jane’s plot even further. Top off it all off with some quality jump scenes (Link rips a persons arm through a mail slot!) and a pretty nifty score and you have a decent animal attack subgenre 80’s piece.” Horror News

“Richard Franklin certainly gains his feet in the last quarter of the film and offers a suitably tense series of shock effects […] The scenes with Link pursuing Elisabeth Shue through the house, spying on her as she bathes and trying to push her over the cliff in a freewheeling van, are well sustained. The chimp Link has an incredibly sinister expressiveness in its sleekly beautiful face and blankly luxuriant eyes.” Richard Scheib, Moria

“Richard Franklin did a typically splendid job of creating a really fun, strange little “animal attack” movie that definitely went for a unique and original twist on the genre and killed it. His combination of suspense, action and humor is a perfect balance. Oh, and you also have another fantastic musical score from the legendary Jerry Goldsmith…” Michael Monterastelli, CHUD.com

“Whilst Link is not a perfect movie by any stretch of the imagination it is an enjoyable watch. We wouldn’t necessarily call the film a horror but it’s certainly horrific as the events escalate. With a tighter story and a better score it could have been very different. As it is Link is a fairly effective film that could have been so much more.” Entertainment Focus

” Link isn’t a bad film – but the best thing about it has to be Link himself. At times the thing really looks evil, and at no point do you think “ah look, he’s just playing” or “it’s a bloke in a suit!”. Unfortunately, it being a mid-80s film, it is saddled with some of the worst music ever committed to celluloid, which starts off just being intrusive and ends up totally inappropriate…” British Horror Films

“Although Franklin delivers a decent scene every once in a while (like when Link kills a guard dog), it’s more of the exception than the rule. Franklin’s overuse of slow motion during the chimp POV shots is also pretty annoying and further dilutes any potential suspense from the film. I’m usually a fan of Terence Stamp, but his performance is just too aloof and droll…” Mitch Lovell, The Video Vacuum

“A flabby thriller that generates few surprises and no suspense.” John Elliot, Elliot’s Guide to Films on Video

Cast and characters:

• Elisabeth Shue … Jane Chase
• Terence Stamp … Dr. Steven Phillip – Crow; The Haunted Mansion; The Company of Wolves
• David O’Hara … Tom
• Steven Pinner … David
• Kevin Lloyd … Bailey
• Richard Garnett … Dennis
• Linus Roache [uncredited]
• Locke … Link [uncredited]
• Carrie … Voodoo [uncredited]
• Jed … Imp [uncredited]

Filming locations:

St. Abbs, Scotland

HORRORPEDIA is truly independent and we rely solely on the very minor income generated by affiliate links and internet ads to stay online. Please support us by not blocking ads on our site. Thank you.

Quick links to contents:

A | B | C | D | E  | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

The post Link gets new release on Kino Lorber Blu-ray and DVD appeared first on HORRORPEDIA.

Ultimate King Kong of Skull Island is the latest action figure to be announced by Mezco Toyz.

“King Kong, the ruler of Skull Island who terrorized 1930’s New York is set to reign over the world of collectibles. Immense in detail and size, this king-size Kong stands at a towering eighteen inches tall. He comes complete with three interchangeable head portraits, each showcasing a different expression, and four interchangeable hands.

Featuring ten points of articulation, the ruler of Skull Island can create a thrilling array of dynamic and defiant poses.

The Ultimate King Kong of Skull Island figure comes packaged in a collector-friendly box, perfect for display. But unlike the legendary wall of Skull Island, it may not contain him for very long…

Please note: Due to the substantial size of the figure, it is strongly recommended that you do not display on surfaces above three foot high.”

Shipping from November 2019 onwards Ultimate King Kong of Skull Island can be pre-ordered for $250 from Mezco Toyz

HORRORPEDIA provides an independent and unbiased range of diverse opinions and reviews from a wide variety of sources in one handy web location. We rely solely on the very minor income generated by affiliate links and internet ads to stay online and expand. Please support us by not blocking ads on our site. Thank you.

The post Ultimate King Kong of Skull Island – action figure appeared first on HORRORPEDIA.