Man-Made Monsters

100 Years of Horror: Man-Made Monsters (1996)

*** (out of 4)

Nice entry in director Ted Newsom's series once again features Christopher Lee playing host as we're introduced to a wide range of horror films. Lee starts off giving a brief talk about plastic surgery and how it related to horror movies before moving on with 1920's THE GOLEM, which many consider one of the first man-made monsters (not including 1910's FRANKENSTEIN, of course). From here we get clips from the three THE FLY movies as well as its remake. Also include are clips from MURDERS IN THE RUE MORGUE, CAPTIVE WILD WOMAN, RABID, MAN-MADE MONSTER, THE PHANTOM CREEPS and INDESTRUCTIBLE MAN.

Those interviewed include Bela Lugosi, Jr., John Carradine, Edward Bernds, Roger Corman, Michael Curtis, William Schallert, Don Glut and D.P. Smith. Die-hard horror fans probably aren't going to learn anything they don't already know but it's still fun seeing all these old clips in one place and it certainly makes you think back to when you first watched these movies. If you're unfamiliar with the genre then the documentary does a terrific job at highlighting various titles and you'll certainly want to keep a piece of paper nearby to white down stuff to rent. Some of the best stuff has D.P. Smith talking about his friendship with Lon Chaney, Jr. and he shares plenty of great stories including a terrific one dealing with a prank and an autograph. Lugosi, Jr. also talks about what his father told him about the making of BELA LUGOSI MEETS A BROOKLYN GORILLA.