This special column focuses on one of my favourite film series – the classic Universal Monsters film cycle, made by Universal Studios from the 1920s through to the late 1950s under the supervision of some of the greatest (and some not so great) talent in Hollywood. These films adapted classic gothic novels, created entirely new horror subgenres and characters, broke new ground and popularised the horror genre on a scale not previously accomplished. They created stars out of some of the key actors of the era, such as Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney Jr., and Claude Rains.
With this series of articles, I hope to go in-depth on the more than 60 films outlined in Michael Mallory’s Universal Studios Monsters: A Legacy of Horror. Join me as I revisit some of my favourite films, and discover some for the first time as well! You’ll see key analysis, behind-the-scenes drama, and rare photos from the sets of the films.
Though the series was written in the order of the films’ first appearances, the articles will be archived both chronologically, to present a continuing story of Universal studios, as well as categorically, to provide easier navigation to different characters and themes. I hope you enjoy reading these articles as much as I enjoy writing them!
This column ran from 09 September 2015 – ??
Chronological Order
Series Order
Tales from the Border 