Edward D. Wood, Jr.'s Bride of the Monster (1955) can be experienced in two ways; both on its own terms and as filtered through the many shot recreations and behind-the-scenes views from Tim Burton's affectionate biopic, Ed Wood (1994). The edge is given to the original, of course, if only for the bravura performance by Bela Lugosi – his last speaking role, and one of his most energetic and unforgettable. Make no mistake – the experience of watching Bride of the Monster can only be enhanced by an awareness of the backstage stories of the cast and crew. Since there is no "movie magic" to spoil, knowledge of the fascinating off-camera machinations, personality quirks, and bizarro-world thinking that went into nearly every technical and aesthetic aspect of the film make for riveting viewing. While it is not the surreal dreamscape that is Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959), Wood's Bride of the Monster holds many delights; in addition to Lugosi, there is the emergence of Tor Johnson's iconic Lobo, a staple of rubber Halloween masks and a subliminal presence in the imagination of many who have never heard of the Great Swede, and the debut of Kelton the Cop, the most superfluous running character in the history of stock players. Wood's exquisitely dumb dialogue is always a joy to hear, and in Bride of the Monster it comes out of the mouths of some of the most enthusiastic non-actors he ever cast as juvenile leads. The overriding sensibility that drives the movie (aside from determination), though, is a palpable love of filmmaking itself. Talent and even competence may be well beyond Wood's grasp - even in this, probably his most accomplished work – but the joy of just plain getting it on film is intoxicating and contagious.

Producer: Edward D. Wood, Jr., Donald E. McCoy
Director: Edward D. Wood, Jr
Screenplay: Edward D. Wood, Jr, Alex Gordon
Cinematography: Ted Allan, William C. Thompson
Film Editing: Warren Adams
Art Direction: George Bahr
Music: Frank Worth
Cast: Bela Lugosi (Dr. Eric Vornoff), Tor Johnson (Lobo), Tony McCoy (Lt. Dick Craig), Loretta King (Janet Lawton), Harvey B. Dunn (Capt. Tom Robbins), George Becwar (Prof. Vladimir Strowski).
BW-68m.

by John M. Miller