Monster! #12: December 2014

Issue #12, the last issue of 2014, is the (un)usual mixture of monster movies known and unknown and is a great read from beginning to end. We begin with an in-depth review of THE ALLIGATOR PEOPLE (1959), which also happens to be on the cover, by Dennis Capicik. Very well-written. We then have another well-written (by Troy Howarth) in-depth review of Tobe Hooper's LIFEFORCE (1985) and how the extended cut is the preferred version (I agree). I think this film is very under-appreciated and Troy gives it the respect it deserves. Then there are a series of reviews, both short and long, of such monster films as Bert I. Gordon's chintzy giant grasshopper film BEGINNING OF THE END (1957), CELLAR DWELLER (1988), the unbelievable Filipino fantasy film THE BOY GOD (1982), WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS (1966), the stupifyingly bad Bigfoot flick CRY WILDERNESS (1986) and a negative review of ABOMINABLE (2004), which I couldn't disagree with more. Writer/Editor Tim Paxton then gives us Part 7 of his look at India's infamous House Of Ramsay and his writing and reviews of films I never heard of before only makes me want to learn more (Tim is writing a reference book of Indian genre films, which I can't wait for). Next-up is writer Adam Parker-Edmondston's 12-page look at the weirder moments in zombie films, mentioning dozens of zombie films both past and present, including SHOCK WAVES (1977), THE DEAD HATE THE LIVING (2000), ZOMBEAVERS (2014) and many more, some that you may have heard of and many you may not have. It's a great article. Writer Steve Fenton then delves into the life of 30's & 40's Western movie star/professional movie gorilla Ray "Crash" Corrigan, who also played the title creature in IT! THE TERROR FROM BEYOND SPACE (1958; his last film). Steve talks about Crash's life and times (he died in 1976 at the age of 74) and the hopefully upcoming biopic of his career. It's my favorite article in this 105-page issue. Louis Paul then writes reviews on monster films where eye creatures were the main attraction, including one of my favorite 50's horror films, THE CRAWLING EYE (1958). Another excellent job done by Louis. Stephen R. Bissette then writes a 24-page article on the giant monster film THE GIANT BEHEMOTH (1959) and makes a good argument on how this film was unfairly maligned when it was originally released. There is so much information in this article, it just might make you want to buy the film (I already own it). The issue then closes out with the always informative Movie Checklist (written by Steve Fenton & Tim Paxton), where we are given the availability and further comments of every movie mentioned within the pages. If you want to ring-out 2014 in grand style, order this issue ASAP! A steal at $5.95.

This digest-sized paperback has the heart of fanzine but the goal of a well-rounded inclusio for various monster movies. The highlights for me in this tome, which treats us to the normal variety of reviews, a feature on “The Alligator People”, and a vast overview of the zombie genre, were the articles on “The Giant Behemoth” which prompted me to go out and buy that end-of-its-era Obie classic and a feature on jack-of-all-trades actor Ray “Crash” Corrigan which got me interested in the intended feature/ biopic. I knew virtually nothing about him and now his oeuvre interests me. So Monster! does what it sets out to do: entertain and inform and generate more interest.

There is no way to rate one issue over another! This mag is a celebration of that particular theme of horror film that never gets old. Some of the films may look a bit dated. But the subject remains immortal and irresistible. And every issue is priceless in content and authorship. May they publish for decades to come!

Have a few of these and are nice books for the B-maovie fan. Small print but compact with articles and images. I got this one for the War of The Gargantuas and Giant Behemoth articles. Behemoth and Beast of Hollow Mountain get the largest of the articles. Some Saucer-Men too!

One of the best publications out there! If you are a fan of everything monster, from the well known to the obscure and/or foreign, this is for you.

As I've said before, top notch publication on niche films. Great fun to read! Try to support this effort if you can.

yet another fab ish, featuring two of my faves, ALLIGATOR PEOPLE and GIANT BEHEMOTH!!!

Highest recommendations for MONSTER! -- a concentration of genre scholarship like few others I have encountered. Lively and informative, with no bogging down in verbiage for the sake of verbiage. Our respective publications -- mine is the FORGOTTEN HORRORS series -- have much in common, and each series benefits from the diligent and provocative participation of Stephen Bissette. Glad to see this remarkable title persisting and prospering