HORROR ICON OF THE MONTH [April 2013]

BELA LUGOSI
(1882-1956)

Bela Lugosi is quite possibly my favourite actor of the classic Universal monster movie line-up, his work has spanned over so many chilling and cunning titles, most notably the 1931 Tod Browning classic; Dracula.

Lugosi has also made many other films that have become regarded as essentials in Horror and Science-Fiction movie history; films such as White Zombie, Invisible Ghost, Bride Of The Monster and his final film Plan 9 From Outer Space. He also had a recurring role as Ygor in both Son Of Frankenstein and The Ghost Of Frankenstein.

The reason why Lugosi is my favourite is because despite his unfortunate career of being typecast due to his thick Hungarian accent, he has remained a true icon of the era and spans many roles, despite his starring role being that of the original Count Dracula. Lugosi is the most iconic of all the Universal stars to me, more iconic than Boris Karloff and Lon Chaney, Lugosi had a real presence when it came to performing in front of the camera and creating an eerie atmosphere; a real talent that was undermined by make-up and special effects.

To me, Lugosi didn't need special effects or make-up to give people the creeps, and that to me is a genuine talent right there, no matter what anybody says. That is why I have chosen to make Bela Lugosi the first in the Horror Icons of the Month, because he was the first I saw when I was young, and to me he shall always remain the best.

IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE [Movie Review]

A true Sci-Fi cinema classic from director Jack Arnold (Creature From The Black Lagoon, Tarantula, etc) starring Richard Carlson and Barbara Rush. This movie is a milestone in the whole line of films of aliens invading Earth and what makes this one stand out more than the others is that it was also co-written by famous Science Fiction writer Ray Bradbury.

The plot of this movie concerns astronomer John Putnam (Carlson) who witnesses a flying saucer crash land near the Arizona Desert; no sooner than he tries to get a closer look at the saucer it disappears under a landslide, covering all evidence of it being there. No sooner than he warns the local authorities they start believing him to be a crackpot and accuse him of staring up at the stars too much...stereotypical behaviour of the police and army from these era of films.

The movie is renowned for being the first Universal Pictures film to be released and filmed in 3D, an exciting new gimmick at the time it seems. This is one of favourite Science Fiction films of all time as it has such an great feel and tone to the movie, plus there is no boring scenes within the film. Every scene is relevant to the storyline and you really get yourself caught up as Putman is trying to figure out the mystery of the saucer. Overall I would say that this is a must-watch for Sci-Fi fans and is probably one of the best of the string of 1950 alien invasion films I've seen and it has a really great ending and a fantastic alien design too!