Confession time. I have a soft spot for movie monsters. In the classic vintage films, we know the villains and monsters will most likely lose out in the end. Some slight doubt keeps us watching. How unfortunate are those rules of fiction! Yes, it’s true the monsters often need to lose. No one wants an earth full of zombies or pod people. However, sometimes monsters possess true emotions and are more interesting than the leading characters. After all, as writers quickly learn, villains are heroes in their own eyes. That goes for monsters, too. Here is my list of favorites who deserved a better end.
Bela Lugosi Dracula Public Domain via WikimediaDracula – 1931 – The Count may not be very nice to Renfield and many others, but he is genuinely taken with Mina, and she wants him too. If not for Van Helsing and the other interfering busybodies, the Count and Mina could live together throughout eternity. Think of all they could tell us about history.
Boris Karloff The Mummy Public Domain via WikimediaThe Mummy – 1932 – Speaking of history, of the era of pharaohs no less, I am most passionate about this one. I fail to fathom how Princess Ankh-es-en-Amon, currently in the body of Helen Grosvenor and played by actress Zita Johann, could choose Frank Whemple over her true love, the ancient Egyptian Imhotep. Yes, Imhotep needs her dead and mummified so they can be together, but he plans to resurrect her, for Pete’s sake. To top it off, the goddess Isis, who relentlessly roamed the earth looking for the pieces of her own true love Osiris, is the one who “saves” the Princess from Imhotep. How hypocritical can you get?
The Wolf Man – 1942 – Oh, my gosh, why can’t the old gypsy woman work some full moon magic with wolfsbane to help poor Larry Talbot live a normal life the other 25 days of the moon cycle?
Simone Simon The Cat People Public Domain via WikimediaCat People – 1942 – The panther woman Irena is much more exotic and fascinating than the tame woman Alice, and she has heartfelt emotion for Oliver. Can we have a re-do? She needs to win!
The Creature From the Black Lagoon – 1954 – Come on, the primeval creature is mesmerized by the swimming girl, and he’s got that hunky reptilian thing going. Why does he have to be trapped and put on display like a—monster?
I Married a Monster From Outer Space – 1958 – The alien masquerading as Marge Bradley’s husband softens over time, develops emotions, and grows to love her. Think of all the strange new worlds he could show her!
Public Domain via WikimediaThe Day of the Triffids – 1962 – If these precursors of modern monster erotica had been allowed to win, well…hmmm…who knows? Maybe this one ended right. What do you think?
Which classic monsters do you like, and would you change their endings?
Cheers & Happy Reading! Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic with Paranormal Romance
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By Flossie Benton Rogers
Paranormal romance author who loves to shake the edges of reality.
A super post, Flossie. These are some of my favourite movies too. Another monster movie I like is King Kong. I have always wished that film ended differently.
I often wonder- why do people love monster movies? Maybe it’s the special effects. Or maybe it’s something deeper . Maybe there’s something primal in us that remembers what it felt like to be hunted, and seeks release through fiction.
I rarely, if ever, watch monster movies. I like horror, but ghost movies and psychological ones – The shining, It etc. I will check the movies you mentioned here. Never heard of them.
I think you’re on to something there, Carmen, about the primal in us that remembers. The Shining is a truly frightening movie. The horror movies I like best are the non gory one from the classic era of monster movies.
Fantastic post, Flossie. I love the idea behind this one. Personally, I always felt bad for Frankenstein’s monster. And I remember an episode of the old show Night Gallery that had something to do with a tree-type monster that a young girl befriended. It ended badly for the monster and I still remember snatches of that episode today because I wanted the monster to live. I’ve got a huge soft spot for monsters 🙂
Okay, we’ll have to explore what our soft spot for monsters means, Mae;) I agree totally about Frankenstein’s monster. He was one of the nicest beings in the story.
When my daughters were young, Friday nights were special because Dr. Paul Barer was on. I’d make special snacks, turn down the lamps, and we’d sit huddled on the sofa watching our favorite monster movies. Thanks for bringing back good memories.
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Cheers & Happy Reading!
A super post, Flossie. These are some of my favourite movies too. Another monster movie I like is King Kong. I have always wished that film ended differently.
I agree with you about King Kong, Daisy. That one gets me every time. It’s so sad.
I often wonder- why do people love monster movies? Maybe it’s the special effects. Or maybe it’s something deeper . Maybe there’s something primal in us that remembers what it felt like to be hunted, and seeks release through fiction.
I rarely, if ever, watch monster movies. I like horror, but ghost movies and psychological ones – The shining, It etc. I will check the movies you mentioned here. Never heard of them.
I think you’re on to something there, Carmen, about the primal in us that remembers. The Shining is a truly frightening movie. The horror movies I like best are the non gory one from the classic era of monster movies.
LOVE it!
Thanks, Linda! I’m glad you liked it.
Fantastic post, Flossie. I love the idea behind this one. Personally, I always felt bad for Frankenstein’s monster. And I remember an episode of the old show Night Gallery that had something to do with a tree-type monster that a young girl befriended. It ended badly for the monster and I still remember snatches of that episode today because I wanted the monster to live. I’ve got a huge soft spot for monsters 🙂
Okay, we’ll have to explore what our soft spot for monsters means, Mae;) I agree totally about Frankenstein’s monster. He was one of the nicest beings in the story.
When my daughters were young, Friday nights were special because Dr. Paul Barer was on. I’d make special snacks, turn down the lamps, and we’d sit huddled on the sofa watching our favorite monster movies. Thanks for bringing back good memories.
Loretta, I always watched Dr. Paul Bearer with his Creature Feature presentations, half the time with my cross and garlic. Good times!
I would definetly save Dracula and wolfman probably the mummy aswell such a fun post
I’m glad you enjoyed our trip back to vintage monster movies, Cathy.