Poll: Bela Lugosi's 40's, Poverty Row Films

[Widebrim]

Okay, here's one for you Lugosi fans (and those who are just plain into old horror films). Between 1940-44, "Bela" made ten "Poverty Row" or "Gower Gulch" horror movies; one for PRC, and nine for Monogram. Although Bela gives it his all in these movies, the films themselves are legendary (notorious?) for their inane scripts, mostly horrible direction, often poor acting, and always threadbare sets. None-the-less, compared to some of the dull horror films that the "big" studios were turning out at the time (RKO excepted), many of these cheapies are actually imaginative, as well as highly campy. For those reasons, and more, many fans love these films, and count some of them among their favorite '40s horror films. So, out of the ten, which one is your favorite?

 

[Widebrim]

Dang, finally someone else voted! (Thanks, Dale.) Come on, there have got to be some more Lugosi /horror fans out there...

 

[scotrace]

Nifty question, but is this really a good "poll" sort of topic?

 

[martinsantos]

The only one I saw from this phase, "Ghosts on the Loose". These films had a very bad distribuition, ever with Lugosi in the cast. Probably almost all dever reached Brazil in those days... And still apeared here in any "incarnation" as VHS, DVD, super-8 or similar.

 

[Widebrim]

Nifty question, but is this really a good "poll" sort of topic?

I thought it was, Scott, since Loungers have a chance to vote for their favorite film. Whether or not they will do so is another matter...:eusa_doh:

-Lee

 

[Widebrim]

The only one I saw from this phase, "Ghosts on the Loose". These films had a very bad distribuition, ever with Lugosi in the cast. Probably almost all dever reached Brazil in those days... And still apeared here in any "incarnation" as VHS, DVD, super-8 or similar.

That's likely very true. As regards, Ghosts on the Loose, at least it featured a very young Ava Gardener, freshly divorced from Mickey Rooney. At some theaters, she was actually billed as Mrs. Mickey Rooney!

 

[martinsantos]

Maybe after it could be exibited here... Like one of the very first films of Bogart (do not remember the name in English), from 1931 or 1932. He appears 10 minutes, no more. But 20 years after the movie reapeared with hom as the "star".

That's likely very true. As regards, Ghosts on the Loose, at least it featured a very young Ava Gardener, freshly divorced from Mickey Rooney. At some theaters, she was actually billed as Mrs. Mickey Rooney!

 

[Widebrim]

^^That was often done here with Lugosi (as well as others)--He would be a minor "red herring," or suspect in a plot, and woud therefore receive prominent billing.

 

[John in Covina]

Of the films listed all are ones I have not seen since since i lived in NY, so based on hazy memory i cast my vote.

It would be fun to watch these again in a group setting for sure.

i always wanted to do a Universal Horror Frankenstein festival too.

 

[jamespowers]

Dang, finally someone else voted! (Thanks, Dale.) Come on, there have got to be some more Lugosi /horror fans out there...

There is no Plan 9 to vote for.

 

[Widebrim]

^^We could include that in worst the Bela Lugosi film of all time poll...But did you vote?

 

[Widebrim]

Of the films listed all are ones I have not seen since since i lived in NY, so based on hazy memory i cast my vote.

It would be fun to watch these again in a group setting for sure.

i always wanted to do a Universal Horror Frankenstein festival too.

That is a great idea, John!

 

[John in Covina]

There is no Plan 9 to vote for.

Actually, one film that popped into my head when reading this is "Ed Wood" which does not have Lugsi in it but Rela Lugosi is portrayed very well by Martin Landau. The movie is a comedy, it is sacreligious in a few places, and irreverant but for Lugosi fans it is worth a watch. Christians may need to take extra high blood pressure medication but you can see a bit on the last days of Lugosi.

 

[martinsantos]

Just loved that film! It's a film just with the actor's work, very human and pleasant. And the way the director found to get a "happy end" surprised me.

Actually, one film that popped into my head when reading this is "Ed Wood" which does not have Lugsi in it but Rela Lugosi is portrayed very well by Martin Landau. The movie is a comedy, it is sacreligious in a few places, and irreverant but for Lugosi fans it is worth a watch. Christians may need to take extra high blood pressure medication but you can see a bit on the last days of Lugosi.

 

[jamespowers]

^^We could include that in worst the Bela Lugosi film of all time poll...But did you vote?

I can't rightly vote. I haven't seen even one of those on the poll. I'll have to go to John's movie night to vote.

 

[Widebrim]

Actually, one film that popped into my head when reading this is "Ed Wood" which does not have Lugsi in it but Rela Lugosi is portrayed very well by Martin Landau. The movie is a comedy, it is sacreligious in a few places, and irreverant but for Lugosi fans it is worth a watch. Christians may need to take extra high blood pressure medication but you can see a bit on the last days of Lugosi.

Except that in the film, Lugosi is heard to curse very often, something decried by those who knew him. Also, he is seen to be hateful of Karloff, again something which appears to have no proof of fact. I do like (and have a copy of) the film, though, despite other "editorial" revisions...

 

[Widebrim]

Although Invisible Ghost (what a title) is not one of my favorites, it does have some good direction by Joseph H. Lewis, and a bizarre portrayal by Lugosi.

 

[jamespowers]

Although Invisible Ghost (what a title) is not one of my favorites, it does have some good direction by Joseph H. Lewis, and a bizarre portrayal by Lugosi.

A bizarre portrayal by Lugosi? Now that is a stretch.

 

[Widebrim]

A bizarre portrayal by Lugosi? Now that is a stretch.

Well, let's put it this way: more than usual...His character in the film is psychotic, which most of Lugosi's characters were not. Of course, for his most bizarre renditions, we have to turn to those films Lugosi "starred" in under Ed Wood...

 

[Widebrim]

:bump: Ok, where are the rest of the Lugosi fans at?