Universal Classic Monster Movies for beginners
Mostly for beginners, of what I would recommend to start watching within the Universal Monster movie catalog. Not a ranked list. In order of films release date. The films I chose represent the best in the catalog and most relevant to each of the monster characters.
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- DirectorRupert JulianLon ChaneyErnst LaemmleStarsLon ChaneyMary PhilbinNorman KerryA mad, disfigured composer seeks love with a lovely young opera singer.Perhaps, Lon Chaney's most memorable performance. If your going to watch any Universal movie from the silent era, this would be the one.
- DirectorTod BrowningKarl FreundStarsBela LugosiHelen ChandlerDavid MannersTransylvanian vampire Count Dracula bends a naive real estate agent to his will, then takes up residence at a London estate where he sleeps in his coffin by day and searches for potential victims by night.The essential Dracula movie of all time. For decades, Bela Lugosi's portrayal of Dracula would define the characters accent and mannerisms.
- DirectorGeorge MelfordStarsCarlos VillaríasLupita TovarBarry NortonCenturies-old vampire Dracula preys upon the innocent Eva and her friends.The spanish version of the iconic classic. Both films were filmed at the same time, using the same sets. Many consider this version superior to the Lugosi version.
- DirectorJames WhaleStarsColin CliveMae ClarkeBoris KarloffDr Henry Frankenstein is obsessed with assembling a living being from parts of several exhumed corpses.The film that basically made and launched Boris Karloff's career. My favorite out of all the Universal monster movies. Supposedly, Bela Lugosi was offered the role of the monster, but denied it due to all the make up.
- DirectorKarl FreundStarsBoris KarloffZita JohannDavid MannersA resurrected Egyptian mummy searches Cairo for the girl he believes to be his long-lost princess.Another memorable performance from Karloff. Not the stereotypical bandaged mummy killing people. Mostly, a film about love and revenge.
- DirectorJames WhaleStarsClaude RainsGloria StuartWilliam HarriganA scientist finds a way of becoming invisible, but in doing so, he becomes murderously insane.A film where the actor, Claude Rains, is invisible for 99 percent of the time, still manages to make his performance memorable. Mostly, a film about revenge and losing one's self to obsession.
- DirectorJames WhaleStarsBoris KarloffElsa LanchesterColin CliveMary Shelley reveals the main characters of her novel survived: Baron Henry Frankenstein, goaded by an even madder scientist, builds his monster a mate.Karloff come's back as the Frankenstein monster, showing more of an evolved personality. a new memorable mad scientist, Doctor Pretorius, along with a monster bride. Many consider this to be the best of all the Universal Monster Frankenstein movies.
- DirectorLambert HillyerStarsOtto KrugerGloria HoldenMarguerite ChurchillWhen Countess Marya Zaleska appears in London, mysterious events occur that lead Dr. Von Helsing to believe that the Countess must be a vampire.In my opinion, the most under rated title in this list. Immediately continues off the events in Dracula.
- DirectorRowland V. LeeStarsBoris KarloffBasil RathboneBela LugosiReturning to the ancestral castle long after the death of the monster, the son of Dr. Frankenstein meets a mad shepherd who is hiding the comatose creature. To clear the family name, he revives the creature and tries to rehabilitate him.A surprising entry to the Frankenstein series. Not only is this a great entry to the series, its among the best in the entire Universal Monster catalog. Karloff's "official" last performance of the monster, and a great portrayal of Igor by Bela Lugosi. A must see, and my second favorite in the Frankenstein series.
- DirectorGeorge WaggnerStarsClaude RainsWarren WilliamLon Chaney Jr.Larry Talbot returns to his father's castle in Wales and meets a beautiful woman. One fateful night, Talbot escorts her to a local carnival where they meet a mysterious gypsy fortune teller.Lon Chaney Jr's defining role. Impressive make-up and werewolf transformation sequence for its time. The absolute best Universal Monster movie of the 40's.
- DirectorErle C. KentonStarsCedric HardwickeLon Chaney Jr.Ralph BellamyDr. Frankenstein's plans to replace the brain of his monster are hijacked by his scheming and malevolent assistant Ygor.A weaker entry to the Frankenstein series, but interesting to see Lon Chaney Jr;s portrayal of the monster.
- DirectorReginald Le BorgStarsLon Chaney Jr.John CarradineRobert LoweryKharis the mummy is given a sacred potion that grants him eternal life to search for his lost love, Princess Ananka, despite the unending curse that haunts them.If your going to watch any of the Mummy sequels, this would be the one. It has a fun stereotypical killer Mummy in bandages, and a good unexpected ending.
- DirectorRoy William NeillStarsLon Chaney Jr.Ilona MasseyPatric KnowlesThe resurrected Wolf Man, seeking a cure for his malady, enlists the aid of a mad scientist, who claims he will not only rid the Wolf Man of his nocturnal metamorphosis, but also revive the frozen body of Frankenstein's inhuman creation.Lon Chaney Jr returns as the Wolf man and the Monster is played by Bela Lugosi. A surprise role for Lugosi, considering he denied the role originally at the beginning. A fun monster romp. Interesting, just to see two iconic monsters go at it, along with lugosi's portrayal of the Monster.
- DirectorCharles BartonWalter LantzStarsBud AbbottLou CostelloLon Chaney Jr.The Wolf Man tries to warn a dimwitted porter that Dracula wants his brain for Frankenstein monster's body.While it was mostly a comedy, here we see Lon Chaney Jr reprise his role as the Wolf Man, and Bela Lugosi as Dracula. Even a small cameo from Vincent Price as the Invisible man.
- DirectorJack ArnoldStarsRichard CarlsonJulie AdamsRichard DenningA strange prehistoric beast lurks in the depths of the Amazonian jungle. A group of scientists try to capture the animal and bring it back to civilization for study.Considered to be the last of the original Universal movie monsters. The Gill man, represented something New and original for the 50's, with some impressive under water shots for its time.