My friend sthorntn had the following to say about THE MONSTER in the Underrated/Overrated, which I thought was a good excuse to give this film it's own folder and jot down my thoughts about the movie.
If I would have thought of it at the time, I would have picked THE MONSTER as the most underrated silent horror film! I really get a kick out it, one of my favorites and a Roland West film I prefer it to THE BAT (or THE BAT WHISPERS). And yeah, I even like Johnny Arthur. I think THE MONSTER has two of the most chilling scenes in silent horror history. Chaney's mad Dr. Ziska is the epitome of composure -- until Amos Rugg calls him crazy. Ziska's reaction is genuinely disturbing as he first bristles and then visibly quakes with anger before getting himself under control. Ziska's death in the electric chair is equally disturbing even though we watch him die as a a shadow on the wall as smoke wafts above his body. Rigo, the knife-wielding hooded terror, is genuinely creepy and menacing. I really wish this one would get a proper DVD release.
Quote:
Overrated:
THE MONSTER. Lon Chaney, Roland West, a mad doctor cavorting about in an old dark house settingon paper this sound like a real winner. But Ive seen the film a good half dozen times and I always have a hard time staying awake until the end.
If I would have thought of it at the time, I would have picked THE MONSTER as the most underrated silent horror film! I really get a kick out it, one of my favorites and a Roland West film I prefer it to THE BAT (or THE BAT WHISPERS). And yeah, I even like Johnny Arthur. I think THE MONSTER has two of the most chilling scenes in silent horror history. Chaney's mad Dr. Ziska is the epitome of composure -- until Amos Rugg calls him crazy. Ziska's reaction is genuinely disturbing as he first bristles and then visibly quakes with anger before getting himself under control. Ziska's death in the electric chair is equally disturbing even though we watch him die as a a shadow on the wall as smoke wafts above his body. Rigo, the knife-wielding hooded terror, is genuinely creepy and menacing. I really wish this one would get a proper DVD release.
GARY L. PRANGE
"Sic gorgiamus allos subjectos nunc."
"Sic gorgiamus allos subjectos nunc."
