Category Archives: Monsters and Matinees

Monsters and Matinees: The Cinematic Miracle of ‘Nosferatu’

The Cinematic Miracle of ‘Nosferatu’ An overprotective widow looking out for her husband’s masterwork – and her bank account. A disastrous miscalculation by filmmakers that brought down a fledgling studio. A legal order for the destruction of an artistic work. … Continue reading

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Monsters and Matinees: In search of the Yeti

Monsters and Matinees: In search of the Yeti Horror movies of the 1950s fed off real-world fears in a way – it feels so wrong to say – many of us have enjoyed. Paranoia about nuclear war and Communism, among … Continue reading

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Monsters and Matinees: All in a Dysfunctional Family with ‘Frankenstein’s Daughter’

All in a Dysfunctional Family with ‘Frankenstein’s Daughter’ Teens, cars, kissing, music, dancing and a pool party: you might be thinking it’s time to settle in with a 1950s hot-rod film. Not so fast. Meet Frankenstein’s Daughter, a 1958 film … Continue reading

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Monsters and Matinees: The A-Men of a B-movie Trilogy

The A-Men of a B-movie Trilogy “When was the last atomic test in Vegas?” That question is never a good sign for people in a horror/sci-fi film from the 1950s, but it is for the viewers who know that this … Continue reading

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Monsters and Matinees: From Villain to Wronged Man, the Diverse Horror Roles of Vincent Price

From Villain to Wronged Man,the Diverse Horror Roles of Vincent Price It’s October, the time of year when the world realizes it’s OK to watch scary movies every day – and horror film fans are right there with suggestions whether … Continue reading

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Monsters and Matinees: A lifetime of being terrorized by ‘Grizzly’

Not all movie monsters fade away with the end credits. They might make a lasting impression because of their greatness (Universal monsters), uniqueness (The Blob) or silliness (Attack of the Killer Shrews). They can feed on our fears or leave … Continue reading

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Monsters and Matinees: With Beauty and Brains, Mara Corday Battled the Beasts

With Beauty and Brains, Mara Corday Battled the Beasts My lifelong obsession with the horror classic Tarantula is well known among my family and friends. The second column I wrote for Classic Movie Hub detailed my love for the film … Continue reading

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Monsters and Matinees: Honoring Ray Harryhausen, a ‘Titan of Cinema’

Honoring Ray Harryhausen, a ‘Titan of Cinema’ Picture yourself standing in the middle of a fight with Ray Harryhausen’s skeleton army from Jason and the Argonauts. OK, it’s not the “real” skeletons, but it’s still pretty cool experience. This movie … Continue reading

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Monsters and Matinees: Modern Sci-fi owes a Debt to ‘Day of the Triffids’

Modern Sci-fi owes a Debt to ‘Day of the Triffids’ In a continuing quest to enjoy as many classic movie monsters as possible, it was time to revisit The Day of the Triffids. Seeing it with fresh eyes after so … Continue reading

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Monsters and Matinees: All Bug-Eyed over Big-Bug Movies

All Bug-Eyed over Big-Bug Movies It could have been the colossal ants. Or the big locusts. Maybe the giant leeches. Most likely it was that house-sized tarantula. I’ll never really know the one film that started my obsession with big-bug … Continue reading

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