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No B-Movie horror fan should ever rush through collections of forgotten movies of yore like they are peanut butter sandwiches. Although Film Masters Monster Mayhem Collection has been out for a month, to enjoy these restored works requires dedicating a Saturday night at the drive-in. Back then, during the 50s, that was when these movies were released, and whether couples were necking or actually watching what’s projected, I’d need a time machine to find out. The slang used is appropriate for the era as groovy, man, and I think that’s why this set appeals to me.
In this set, the works offered are Monster from Green Hell, The Brain from Planet Arous, Frankenstein’s Daughter, and Giant from the Unknown. This collective has chosen these works as the “first volume” of movies originally released by the Film Detective, and if the distributor labels seem confusing enough, you’re not alone!
Instead of reviewing the movies as a bundle, what I’ll focus on is the latest release as a whole. When I don’t have the previous release as a reference, all I can say is that the repackaging and print look as good as they can get. Apparently the prior bonus material is the same, and as for what’s new, I can’t say. According to the press materials offered for this latest release, no new on-disc extras seem to be included.
There are reports that some of the older extras are actually missing, including select booklets, trailers, alternate 1.33:1 versions, an intro, and one commentary. For a newcomer who just wants to see the films, this latest is a welcome all-in-one package. For the die-hard fan, tracking down the older releases may well be challenging.
Personally, I’m good with the latest, and when looking at Frankenstein’s Daughter, directed by Richard E. Cunha, I cannot help but be reminded of Lee Cronin’s The Mummy. While he and his cronies cranked out films on a shoestring budget, the latest certainly is not, but the concept is there: make a film that’ll sell, no matter how bad or poorly executed the idea is.
When the themes between the two works, back then and now, share something in common, it’s hard not to notice. Trudy is a monster in disguise. She isn’t fully aware when the transformation happens, and in the latest, Katie’s soul is locked away and only the monster exists for all to witness. Both are frightening treatises about the loss of innocence, and while one can be laughed at for its dated context, the other is trauma at its worst. As for who is in control, well…
In a strange way, seeing similar works around the same time makes me think some narrative tropes are as timeless as the threat being borne. What’s offered in the mini-essays by film historian Tom Weaver also helps. He sets up the cultural milieu these movies evolved from, and the trivia layered throughout often explains why these newer releases are such a welcome start to what I hope becomes an ongoing line.
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As for what’s next, the official website lists Destination Moon (1950) and Flight to Mars (1951) as the next collected release. This pairing is said to have helped launch Hollywood into the Space Age and set the standard for realistic space travel on screen. From the official webpage: “When a team of daring American industrialists and scientists defy government hesitation to build the world’s first privately funded rocket, they embark on a perilous journey to the Moon.”
The second feature is described as “a thrilling blend of Cold War allegory and pulp adventure. A bold expedition crew reaches the Red Planet where they encounter an advanced Martian civilization with intentions that threaten Earth!” Both films are sourced from 4K scans of 35mm archival elements.
From horror to science fiction, this label shows a lot of love for the esoteric. Some films I’ve never heard of until now, and others I’ve been reminded to revisit when I get the chance. What they are preserving is that thrill of discovery for a new generation. As for those already in the know, they can be reminded of times gone by. If this first volume is any indication, there’s plenty more buried treasure waiting to claw its way back to the surface.
The Bonus Content of the Film Masters Monster Mayhem Collection is as follows:
Disc One
- Richard E. Cunha: Filmmaker of the Unknown (HD; 36:00)
- Frankenstein’s Daughter Commentary with Tom Weaver is accessible under the Setup Menu for that film.
- Giant From the Unknown Commentary with Tom Weaver is accessible under the Setup Menu for that film.
- Giant from the Unknown Archival Commentary with Gary Crutcher is accessible under the Setup Menu for that film.
Disc Two
- Missouri Born: Films of Jim Davis (HD; 14:41)
- The Man Before the Brain: Director Nathan Juran (HD; 13:52)
- The Man Behind the Brain: Director Nathan Juran (HD; 11:42)
- Monster from Green Hell Commentary with Stephen R. Bissette is accessible under the Setup Menu for this film.
- Brain from Planet Arous Commentary with Tom Weaver and “The Weaver Players” is accessible under the Setup Menu for this film.