How To Make a Monster

'How to Make a Monster' is an entertaining and affectionate tribute to the monster movie, from the studios of Samuel Z. Arkoff.

The plot involves monster make-up artist Pete Drumond being told by incoming executives that his services are no longer needed. Monster movies, he is told, are out of fashion. He is told leave when he finishes his current picture. Devastated by the news, he plots his revenge, enlisting the help of two of his own creations, Teenage Werewolf and Teenage Frankenstein.

Touchingly nostalgic, the opening scenes in and around the studios, with the make-up artist defending his trade and the genre, are a real treat for monster fans, for whom the movie will generate a warm glow.

The performances are better than you might expect from such B-Movie fare, with the interplay between Robert H. Harris as Pete Drumond and Paul Brinegar as his assistant Rivero being particularly engaging. Rivero begins the movie a loyal companion, but once the murders take place the originally sympathetic character of the make-up artist becomes more and more wicked, and it becomes apparent that Rivero is in fact not loyal but subservient.

When the police begin to uncover the truth behind the murders, the film picks up pace and the film's climax (for which the film switches from black and white to glorious Technicolor) provides a satisfying ending involving a gallery of monsters and a violent confrontation.

'How to Make a Monster' is released on DVD as part of the Arkoff Film Library Collection. It is attractively presented, with a great collection of postcards inside featuring posters from other Arkoff movies like 'War of the Colossal Beast' and 'She-Creature'. The DVD also contains a 45 minute audio interview of Arkoff by the Guardian.

Essential viewing for Monster fans!