Let’s keep rolling with the old school monster movies, shall we?

This one is a classic mash up as Lon Chaney’s Wolf Man is removed from his grave, resurrected, and quickly decides he needs to find a way to end his life as the ol’ silver bullet apparently didn’t work. Off he goes to find Dr. Frankenstein, hoping the man who figured out the secret of life also knows the secret of death. Unfortunately, upon arrival, Chaney discovers that the Doc is dead and his notes have been lost. Fortunately, he finds Frankenstein’s monster (played this time by Bela Lugosi), who also would like to be rid of his curse and granted the ability to die. Both of them are in luck, as another doctor comes along, willing to figure out a way to send the two monsters to the afterlife.

I love Lon Chaney. We started SHOCKtober with a late Chaney movie, so it’s good to talk about the role that made him famous. The Wolf Man is a sad character as he knows he’s done terrible things, but is unable to prevent them from happening or from stopping himself. Bela Lugosi, on the other hand, comes off as a little goofy in the role of the monster and I definitely prefer Karloff’s take. Lugosi looks old and is just a few years away from doing Plan 9 from Outer Space. In fact, many of the scenes here are done with a stand-in, and it’s rather obvious.

Despite this, Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man is still a fun popcorn flick. It’s difficult not to enjoy the makeup, the special effects, and the models passing as set pieces. If you’re looking to buy it, this movie comes in the Wolf Man set.

Another classic today. Bride of Frankenstein is one of the great Universal monster pictures of the era. And check out that awesome poster! I just can’t get enough of this stuff.

A direct sequel to the original Frankenstein, the movie continues immediately where its predecessor left off. Except this time, there is a brief introduction with Mary Shelly and Lord Byron in a sitting room while a storm rages outside. Byron praises Shelly for her tale of Frankenstein’s monster and she lets him know that there’s more to the story. From there, the actual movie begins.

I bought the set of Universal’s Classic Monster Collection years back and try to watch at least one or two from the set each year. I just love the look of these films and the classic storytelling. Some aren’t as good as others, but they’re all worth watching.

So this time, the monster turns out not to have died after the mob burned down his tower, though the townsfolk believe they killed him. Shortly thereafter, Doctor Frankenstein is revealed to also not have died, and during his recovery, another mad scientist makes a visit and shows Frankenstein a new set of rather odd experiments. The other wacky doctor convinces Frankenstein to create a mate for the monster in order to build some sort of master race, created by man. The two monsters meet, goofy shit happens, and the audience is entertained.

I love the Frankenstein flicks because you can’t help but pity Karloff’s monster. The poor bastard is misunderstood and gets attacked every time he shows his face. As a result, the viewer is rooting for him at every turn, and every time the townsfolk grab their pitchforks and torches, you watch hoping he finds a way to squeak by with an escape.

If you’re into the classic monster flicks, I highly recommend the Universal collection I linked to above. You can buy either the whole set or purchase them individually by series. Either way, they’re well worth the cost.

Let’s mix it up a little bit, shall we?

We all know that this isn’t a horror movie, but come on, it’s Abbott and Costello! Not only that, but all the big monsters are here. Lon Chaney as the Wolfman, Bela Lugosi as Dracula, and Glenn Strange as Frankenstein’s monster. You really can’t top that. I’m a big fan of old comedy teams; especially The Three Stooges. But Laurel & Hardy, The Marx Brothers, and Abbott & Costello are just as awesome.

In Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, the pair play a couple of freight handlers who wind up transporting the remains of Dracula and Frankenstein’s monster. They, of course, awaken and Dracula concocts a scheme to replace the monster’s brain. Meanwhile, the Wolf Man shows up to attempt to stop Dracula’s diabolical scheme. Of course, the full moon comes out and all hell breaks loose.

As you’d expect, Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein is loaded with goofy laughs and good times. This is a perfect movie to watch with the kids and introduce them to the classic monsters of the 30s and 40s. It’s a movie that I try to watch every year.

I never tire of watching Lou scream, “AABBOTTTT! AABBOTTTT!”