Halloween horror marathon: The Monster Maker

poster-monster-makerThe Monster Maker is a seam-showing, by-the-numbers bit of ’40s horror. Not outre enough to hit the strange notes that one would get during the Communist threat allegories of ’50s sci-fi, nor soon enough after World War 2 to reflect the horrors of war, this 1944 film is for the most part, a terrible mess.

The film has a strangely framed scene wherein Dr. Markoff is in the middle of a full-on mad scientist lab — bubbling beakers and all — and speaking to his secretary on the intercom. It could be the work of an SNL sketch, if it wasn’t absolutely earnest. The tale of random pre-revenge in order to blackmail a woman into marrying him is simply murky and weird, and you may find yourself scratching your head as you attempt to discern motives.
Continue reading