Review of Bride of the Monster (1955) by Michael H — 06 Sep 2008

I just saw this film on TCM, and didn't find it as much of a "howler" as I expected. Surprised that it was made before "Plan 9," because it seemed much better made. The main two laughable elements are Tor Johnson's ridiculous zombie routine and the totally unconvincing rubber octopus (why didn't Wood just order a few fake tentacles capable of being curled into shapes, and then combine the stock underwater footage with surface shots of the tentacles dragging someone under?), but the direction and scoring are reasonably competent. And Lugosi gets a few good moments, such as his big "I haff no hooome" speech and the hypnotism scenes. Is this really so much worse than countless other no-budget horror/monster films of the era?

In the "knocked-over tombstone" category, watch for the fight scene in the lab where Johnson blocks himself from being pushed through a doorway, and the flimsy set walls shake around him.