The Monster Maker (1944)

User Rating:

4.8/10   

Director:

Sam Newfield

Writers:

Pierre Gendron (writer)
Martin Mooney (writer)

Release Date:

15 April 1944 (USA)

Genre:

Horror

Plot:

Mad scientist injects his enemies with acromegaly virus, causing them to become hideously deformed. |

Plot Keywords:

Mad Scientist | Acromegaly | Virus | Loss Of Wife | Remorse

Cast

J. Carrol Naish	...	Dr. Igor Markoff
Ralph Morgan	...	Anthony Lawrence
Tala Birell	...	Maxine
Wanda McKay	...	Patricia Lawrence
Terry Frost	...	Bob Blake
Glenn Strange	...	Steve
Alex Pollard	...	Stack (as Alexander Pollard)
Sam Flint	...	Dr. Adams
Ace the Wonder Dog	...	Ace

Also Known As:

The Devil's Apprentice (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

62 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:Unrated

Company:

Producers Releasing Corporation

Trivia:

Throughout the film, Dr. Igor Markoff and Steve make several references to Frankenstein. Later that same year, Glenn Strange (Steve) would go on to play Frankenstein's Monster for the first time in House of Frankenstein (1944).

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: The same wall barometer and elephant statuette seen in Dr. Markov's office are also visible in the office of Dr. Adams.

Movie Connections:

References Frankenstein (1931)

Gorilla in the Midst

"A scientist has developed a serum which grotesquely distorts the victim's hands and heads. The scientist decides to use his serum on a concert pianist to extort money from him for the cure as well as take the man's daughter for a wife," according to the DVD sleeve's synopsis. J. Carrol Naish (as Dr. Igor Markoff) plays "The Monster Maker" in the low budget Bela Lugosi mode.

Mr. Naish's serum causes a real disorder, "acromegaly", which American Heritage defines as, "A chronic disease of adults marked by enlargement of the bones of the extremities, face, and jaw that is caused by overactivity of the pituitary gland." Ralph Morgan (as Anthony Lawrence) plays the afflicted man with some dignity. Pretty blonde Wanda McKay (as Patricia "Pat" Lawrence) is the daughter desired by mad scientist Naish; in early scenes, Ms. McKay and Naish emote hilariously.

Watch for Tala Birell (as Maxine) in a surprisingly good supporting performance; she plays the somewhat Garbo-like, and long suffering, assistant to Naish. Ms. Birell definitely steals the film; and, you've got to question Dr. Markoff's sanity in casting her aside. Glenn Strange (as Steve) and a crazed gorilla (Ray Corrigan) add to the fun. The monster makeup (Maurice Seiderman) is very good.

**** The Monster Maker (1944) Sam Newfield ~ J. Carrol Naish, Ralph Morgan, Tala Birell