OMD: Monster Mash

I know - I know!

It's March, not the time of year for Halloween movies. And I was truly going to go with one that was more related to St. Patrick's Day.....until I realize I may have already done so. And this was on my YouTube watch list and I had such a fun time watching it.


I give you:

"Monster Mash: The Movie" (1995)


I couldn't find a decent image to post on here, so I challenge you to go onto the internet and look it up.


Right - the 90's were full of teenage-coming-of-age-always-in-trouble films and TV shows. Take "Full House" for instance....DJ Tanner is now the protagonist, with her boyfriend in a rather campy, musically fun flick.

"Romeo" and "Juliet" A.K.A. Scott and Mary are on their way to a Halloween party when their car breaks down. Lucky for them there's a rather frightening mansion close by that offers them refuge for the night.

No so luck, it's a house full of literal monsters!

I find this film rather dear because one of my favorite stage actors portrays Dracula (which was a rather big surprise for me when it came up on my playlist. I glanced the name in the opening credits and then freaked out when he started singing.)

With many twists and turns including: Dr. Frankenstein trying to transfer one brain to another body; vampires lusting for fresh blood; a wolf-man with an overbearing mother; a hunchback with a crush; a Mummy with a manager; and lots of campy songs sure to get stuck in your head.

And, of course, the titular title song: The Monster Mash.

Check it out here on YouTube - unless you have a VHS copy in your house!

What are some of your favorite holiday movies?

(Note: I am not paid for this blog. I use the names of things because - well - that's where credit is due.)

Halloween

There are lots of lists that I can make in regards to this amazing holiday: movies, horror flicks, horror video games, party ideas - you get the idea. Last week I covered the top 5 musicals/plays on Broadway.

While Halloween can be either fun and scary, or gory and gruesome; it all depends on which direction you take.

Here's a look a some of the best, "Classical", Halloween monsters that have graced the silver screen. Here they are - in no particular order (but I'll put my favorite last). Please Note - all pictures are taken from the internet - if I could have taken quite a few of these myself, I would have!

1. Frankenstein

1931 - this was the age when movies were coming out more frequently. The majority were in black and white, soundless until the early thirties. When the movie premiered, the actor who portrayed the monster was billed as ?????? This was to keep in the spirit of it being an actual monster. Boris Karloff cemented his acting in horror movies. Which leads us to -

2. The Mummy

Another classic flick from the thirties, this one came out in 1932. Karloff returned to don the wraps of Imhotep, a priest brought back to life centuries. He spends the entire time trying to find his reincarnited lover. This sparked a wonderfully fun three film series by Stephen Sommers back in the early 2000's. Sadly, it's getting rebooted again soon (don't see it!).

3. The Wolfman

1941 - This movie has quite a few infamous actors in it to bring the full-moon riser to light (not sure if that was a bad pun or not...) Lon Chaney Junior brings this cast of high bill-ers together as a man fated to becoming a bity wolfer. With an appearance from Bela Lugosi and Claude Raines, it's a flick sure to get you howling.

4. Dracula

1931 - Bela Lugosi didn't speak a word of English going into this film. Giving a stunning performance as the main vampire, this takes you from the haunted hills of darkest Transylvania to the elegant ballrooms and foyers of London. You will never hear, "Swan Lake" the same every again. Or see a full moon on a cloudy night the same either . . .


And Rounding the list of Top Five,

5. The Phantom of the Opera

1925 - A silent film so frightening, smelling salts were in hand for the infamous un-masking scene. The Man of a Thousand Faces would give a stellar performance that has lasted and endured through the ages. While other adaptations try to give it their all, this one is what gave every other adaptation a basis. Lon Chaney Senior, Mary Philbin, and Norman Kerry. Watch this in the dark. It changes everything.


What is your favorite old timey monster?

How about the new age monster?

Leave a comment below.