100 Years of Horror (TV Series) Man-Made Monsters (1996) User Reviews

Man-Made Monsters

[Leofwine_draca · 8/10 · 13 April 2017]

100 YEARS OF HORROR is a 26-episode TV series made in 1996 and featuring the delightful Christopher Lee as host, his sonorous narration exploring the history of horror cinema in the 20th century. Each themed episode contains plentiful clips from the films mentioned along with brief interview footage seemingly culled from other documentaries as well as TV shows and the like.

Another engaging episode of the show, MAN-MADE MONSTERS takes a look at various laboratory creations running amok, with the likes of CAPTIVE WILD WOMAN and THE INDESTRUCTIBLE MAN featuring predominantly. The most famous films featured are the original FLY and its sequels as well as the 1920 version of DER GOLEM. Set anecdotes involving Lon Chaney Jr. and Bela Lugosi are recounted, and the whole thing is an enjoyable tribute to B-cinema of old.

Man-Made Monsters

[Michael_Elliott · 7 June 2011]

100 Years of Horror: Man-Made Monsters (1996)

*** (out of 4)

Nice entry in director Ted Newsom's series once again features Christopher Lee playing host as we're introduced to a wide range of horror films. Lee starts off giving a brief talk about plastic surgery and how it related to horror movies before moving on with 1920's THE GOLEM, which many consider one of the first man-made monsters (not including 1910's FRANKENSTEIN, of course). From here we get clips from the three THE FLY movies as well as its remake. Also include are clips from MURDERS IN THE RUE MORGUE, CAPTIVE WILD WOMAN, RABID, MAN-MADE MONSTER, THE PHANTOM CREEPS and INDESTRUCTIBLE MAN.

Those interviewed include Bela Lugosi, Jr., John Carradine, Edward Bernds, Roger Corman, Michael Curtis, William Schallert, Don Glut and D.P. Smith. Die-hard horror fans probably aren't going to learn anything they don't already know but it's still fun seeing all these old clips in one place and it certainly makes you think back to when you first watched these movies. If you're unfamiliar with the genre then the documentary does a terrific job at highlighting various titles and you'll certainly want to keep a piece of paper nearby to white down stuff to rent. Some of the best stuff has D.P. Smith talking about his friendship with Lon Chaney, Jr. and he shares plenty of great stories including a terrific one dealing with a prank and an autograph. Lugosi, Jr. also talks about what his father told him about the making of BELA LUGOSI MEETS A BROOKLYN GORILLA.