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Acromegaly (a syndrome where the pituitary gland produces excess growth hormone resulting in giantism and then disfigurement), was all the rage in horror movies between 1944 and 1946, thanks primarily to actor Rondo Hatton, a real-life sufferer. Hatton's large size and dis-proportioned features led to a memorable, though short-lived, stint as a horror star at Universal beginning with his role as "The Creeper" in 1944's THE PEARL OF DEATH. The reporter-turned-actor would go on to take half-a-dozen more roles before his death in early 1946. PRC, who were considered the lowest of the low as far as low-rent movie companies of its day went, were also ready to cash in on the sudden interest in the disease. Though this one doesn't actually star Hatton, it's likely that it was made because of his success at Universal. Ironically, after Hatton died, Universal felt so embarrassed about "exploiting" their ill-fated new horror star that they sold the rights to Hatton's final film THE BRUTE MAN to another company. Guess who? Why PRC, of course!Back to THE MONSTER MAKER. It's really not a bad low-budget B effort at all. The science is erroneous at times and there aren't too many creative flourishes, but it's an entertaining way to spend an hour. The always-great J. Carrol Naish, complete with Eastern European accent, headlines as Dr. Igor Markoff. What a perfect mad scientist name that is, huh? While attending a concert with his enamored female assistant Maxine (Tala Birell), Markoff spots the lovely Patricia (Wanda McKay) in the audience and can't help staring. After all, she's a dead ringer for his long-dead wife. Quickly becoming obsessed, Dr. Markoff starts sending flowers to Patricia three times a day, nevermind the face she's already keeping company with Bob Blake (Terry Frost). Annoyed, Patricia sends her father, pianist Anthony Lawrence (Ralph Morgan), to Dr. Markoff's clinic to tell him she's not interested and to leave her alone. Markoff quickly bonks Anthony over the head with a candlestick and shoots him up with an extremely potent shot of the acromegaly. Pretty soon, poor Anthony becomes restless, has sudden bursts of energy, a stronger-than-usual appetite and finally transforms into a deformed, unrecognizable shadow of his former self. Since Dr. Markoff is the only one with an antidote, he demands Patricia's hand in marriage or else he'll let the condition worsen until her father passes away. The plot also makes room for a large caged gorilla and even features an appearance from "Ace the Wonder Dog." How can you not love this stuff?I liked the majority of the cast in this one. Naish and Morgan both get to have a lot of fun and even though I don't see many people mentioning Birell in their reviews, I thought she was excellent as the assistant who's been in love with the mad doctor for a very love time but is now at her breaking point. The two "romantic leads" were alright but, as usual, they take back seat to the three aforementioned performers, who have the showier roles. Glenn Strange (who would go on to replace Boris Karloff as The Frankenstein Monster the very next year) has a small supporting role as Markoff's brutish butler Steve. The film itself is well done inside its budget; efficiently put together and very well paced, too. The acromegaly make-up is surprisingly good as well and actually reminded me of the same design later used in Lynch's THE ELEPHANT MAN!
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