The Monster's Den: Top 10 Bela Lugosi Films

[@JamesTurner-bd2yk]

This is one of those eps you watch and take notes on. When it's older movies and Dan and Davey are here, you learn.

[@DavysFlicks]

Thank you, we're all learning - or there'd be no fun left!

[@DavysFlicks]

Thanks for watching folks! Hope we picked some of your faves but if not let us know what we missed! On my channel, I'll be covering a Spanish 60s horror over the weekend so throw a sub this-a-way for that (and more music n movies talk!)

[@metaldams78]

I’m going to take a guess and say that Spanish horror is THE HOUSE THAT SCREAMED because it’s just being released by Arrow. My copy is due Tuesday. I’m a huge Bela fan and am really looking forward to watching this one tonight. You guys always do a great job with these episodes.

[@chrisflood9205]

Where the hell did this chewing up the scenery saying come up from Its Annoying

[@DavysFlicks]

@@chrisflood9205 According to google, it was a theatre reference that was first coined in 1894, so a bit late to complain now!

[@juhajulin9734]

Thank you for the discussion guys, as a huge fan of vintage horror this episode was pure heaven for me. Loved what Davy said about Ed Wood!

[@DavysFlicks]

Thanks, I can't remember what I said..but as long as it was good, I'll take it! ;)

[@countralfus6408]

Great job on this episode guys! On March 18th I'm going to the Rosendale Theatre to see The Raven and The Black Cat double feature.

[@DavysFlicks]

Cheers! Enjoy the show, hell of a double!

[@johnmichaelwilliams6694]

Thanks, Dan, Davy, Jamie and you, too, Pete, for such an interesting episode of The Monster's Den. I've watched some of those mentioned - some over the years, others based on prior SoT shows and discussions. But even so, picked up some great viewing for the watch list from this episode. Haven't seen them all but that remains to be fixed. Thanks for all your time (and to Jamie's spouse) for preparing for the episode.

[@DavysFlicks]

Thanks very much John!

[@BlackMoore82]

1. The Black Cat (1934) Favorite performance & film with Lugosi. 2. Black Dragons (1942). 3. White Zombie (1932). 4. The Wolf Man (1941). 5. Dracula (1931). 6. The Invisible Ray (1936). 7. Murders in the Rue Morgue (1932). 8. The Body Snatcher (1945). 9. Black Friday (1940). 10. The Silent Command (1923).

[@craigkaminski]

Great episode guys! Sorry that Chris Alo and I couldn't make it; we were in the jungle all set to create a race of atomic supermen to take over the world...until we realized we forgot to bring our tools. So we just drank beer and watched movies instead. 😄

[@DavysFlicks]

Funny, when thinking were you two were... "a pair of tools" did come to mind! :)

[@Jamie.Laszlo]

I was thinking WE were the tools they forgot to bring.

[@wherehouse119]

You forgot to bring Tools yet brought beer poor planning if you ask me

[@craigkaminski]

@@wherehouse119 neither of us excelled in our world domination courses in school, so we were bound to fail !

[@wherehouse119]

I salute your honesty good sir

[@tmc1054]

I really appreciate the long format episodes. I rarely watch them in one go, but in snippets throughout the course of the week. The anecdotes are great fun and the knowledge from all parties can only be lauded. Bravo!

[@DavysFlicks]

Thanks kindly! Have a fab weekend my man!

[@metaldams78]

I’m glad Dan mentioned BROADMINDED at the end. Bela indeed could play comedy and it’s a trip watching him as an on screen boyfriend to Thelma Todd. A very entertaining episode from all four of you. 1. The Raven 2. Dracula * 3. Son of Frankenstein * 4. The Black Cat 5. White Zombie 6. Murders in the Rue Morgue 7. The Devil Bat 8. Chandu the Magician 9. Bride of the Monster 10. Black Dragons ** *For these, consider Return of the Vampire, Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein and Ghost of Frankenstein as honorary inductees. Did not want to include Bela in the same role twice. ** Included for the joyous comedy of watching sixty year old Bela being flirtatious with the young leading lady and his coy remarks. The gurgling sound line gets me every time. …an episode on either The Monogram 9 or 40’s poverty row horror in general would be awesome.

[@trevdowson5810]

What beautiful music you lot make, thank you for another fabulous Monster’s Den, two weeks is a long time to wait for the next broadcast but there’s so many episodes in the playlist that we can watch…. FANTASTIC!

[@DavysFlicks]

Thanks as always Trev!

[@cultvult]

Thank you so much for this guys. I’m all about classic films, and I especially love early Universal Horror stars and all their films. I’m all about this, and am enjoying it so much. I watch the Sea of Tranq discussions even though I don’t really like metal, because I love discussions about any music, but this is a wonderful surprise and treat. Just 20 min in, but can’t wait to hear the deep cuts you guys come up with(seen them all! Lol). A few of my personal favorites are The Devil Bat, The Black Cat of course, the very twisted little known The Human Monster, and the criminally forgotten early Universal film Murders in the Rue Morgue. And so many more. Thank you again for doing this discussion. How about Karloff next time…

[@DavysFlicks]

Our pleasure! I hope you enjoyed the rest! We did talk about Karloff but because there would be some crossover here I think the concensus was not quite yet!

[@mulicuy]

For performances too (not overall movie quality) 1. The Raven 2. The Black Cat 3. White Zombie 4. Dracula 5. Murders in the Rue Morgue 6. Son of Frankenstein 7. The Devil Bat (I love this so much) 8. Island of Lost Souls 9. Abbot and Costello Meet Frankenstein 10. The Ghost of Frankenstein (but I haven't seen some of the others ones mentioned; much Lugosi viewing ahead this weekend!)

[@kenl2091]

Haven't watched a Lugosi movie from start to finish for maybe 30 years (my loss) but thoroughly enjoyed this discussion. Always a pleasure to see the experts at work with artistry they obviously love.

[@DavysFlicks]

Thanks! Have a great weekend!

[@PieGuyBill]

Island of lost souls was on Svengoolie last night. I’m watching your Monsters Den episode Sunday 3/12 . Just letting everyone know that many of these films are still being played every Saturday Night for lovers of classic movies. Naturally I am one and I have been watching The Monsters Den since Pete was doing it alone with a lighted candle. Love it.

[@bobsala7780]

Came here to say the same thing. I watched Island of Lost Souls on Svengoolie a couple of days ago. I also never knew that the lines from the movie are what inspired the band Devo.

[@duhduh666]

The new schedule only downside for me is fewer episodes of The Monsters Den. I hope Sea of Tranquility can increase frequency if the number of episodes

[@seaoftranquilityprog]

I get it...but the new schedule is helping me greatly. We shall see if in the future we can get back to weekly programming for some of these shows. For now, I'll have to keep it as is.

[@duhduh666]

@@seaoftranquilityprog totally understand. The Monsters Den is so awesome I get withdrawal symptoms. I have an unrelated topic. Cheesy songs we love.

[@duhduh666]

@@seaoftranquilityprog for me - Shotgun Messiah - Living Without You. Vai - In My Dreams with You. Slaughter - Fly To the Angels, Up All Night. Blue Murder - Sex Child. Winger - Seventeen.

[@DavysFlicks]

The thing is not only does Pete have masses of work but on this one for example, Jamie did a lot of homework that may not have been possible - or not with the same depth - as this format. So while there may be less overall, the hope is the quality goes up and more of us have time to do the homework.

[@tp3922]

Bottom four: It would have been likely easier to form a top twenty list than a top ten, since positions are separated by a fraction of a point. 12. Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948) funny but silly at the same time 11. Bride of The Monster (1955) A bit silly, low budget, Tor Johnson help saves the film from the toilet 10. Plan 9 From Outer Space (1957) A post release, low budget Vampira cult classic: very underrated 9. The Black Sleep (1956) The middle four: 8. Son of Frankenstein (1938) 7. Black Friday (1940) 6. Night Monster (1942) 5. Zombies On Broadway (1945) Top four: 4. Genius At Work (1946) 3. Ghost Of Frankenstein (1942) 2. Frankenstein Meets Wolf Man (1943) 1. Dracula (1931) The best Bela Lugosi film ever: Dracula.

[@lionelraoul]

I never expect an iconic episode but I'll be damned if we didn't get one. Thanks, guys.

[@DavysFlicks]

Thanks very much! Have a fab weekend!

[@svsugvcarter]

Brilliant discussion! Love Bela! The Devil Bat Rocks!

[@SardonicWrath]

All right, this was the push I needed to order the 3 film collection including Murders In The Rue Morgue, The Black Cat and The Raven! Edit: I'd love to hear you guys talk more about Ed Wood (the movie) at some point. I watched it for the first time a few months ago and loved it.

[@DavysFlicks]

It's terrific. I'd love to do it. Enjoy the boxset! Cheers

[@vicvega6825]

Thanks boys! I Love Dan's stories. Awesome stuff!

[@wherehouse119]

Thank you I love adding history to the films

[@DavysFlicks]

Dan has forgotten more than the rest of us know!

[@oskarklang8616]

1. Son of Frankenstein 2. The Black cat 3. Dracula 4. Mark of the vampire 5. White Zombie 6. The body snatcher 7. Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein 8. The wolfman 9. Mother Hubbard meets the vampire 10. Plan 9 from outer space

[@peterm.fitzpatrick7735]

I may have mentioned this before, but these Universal Horror Films with Dracula, Frankenstein, etc., were the only time my parents would allow us three young boys, me being the youngest at around 5 or 6, to stay up after 10:30 p.m., on Friday nights, when they aired those films on the local television affiliate.

[@wherehouse119]

Those late night horror host viewings of classic horror were my training ground

[@DavysFlicks]

@@wherehouse119 The JUNGLE was my training ground! ;)

[@jcollins1305]

Dan Brown does not get enough credit, he’s great! A real film historian and such an interesting guy.

[@GodsOnlyGospel]

I think Karloff's greatest was the body snatcher, and Lugosi's was the raven. Karloff was such an intense actor, however, Lugosi no matter what part he was playing had such a presence that was second to none. great video guys

[@GentlemanJim61]

my list 10. Invisible Ghost 1941 9. The Human Monser 1939 8. White Zombie 1932 7. Murders In The Rue Morgue 1932 6. The Invisible Ray 1936 5. Abbott And Costello Meet Frankenstein 1948 4. The Black Cat 1934 3. Dracula 1931 2. Son Of Frankenstein 1939 1. The Raven 1935

[@Jamesharris-lo9nn]

Thanks for the excellent tribute to the great Bela Lugosi.🦇 I really enjoyed it! 🦇 👹

[@herrdwabash]

My top 10 Lugosi performances: 1) The Raven 2) Son of Frankenstein 3) Return of the Vampire 4) Dracula 5) The Human Monster 6) White Zombie 7) The Black Cat 8) Murders in the Rue Morgue 9) Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein 10) Island of Lost Souls Honorable Mentions: Chandu the Magician, Mark of the Vampire, The Devil Bat

[@affeneitrheim614]

So glad you mentioned The Black Cat! What a great little movie!

[@Jamie.Laszlo]

I don't think any list is complete without it.

[@DavysFlicks]

A stunner! Was always gonna be on every list.

[@garywohlgemuth3916]

When I started collecting on VHS, I found more Bela movies than anybody else. That was fine with me cause I love Belas acting. I still have a pretty big collection of Bela flix on DVD and blu-ray.

[@MrCinemayo]

1) Son of Frankenstein 2) The Raven 3) Dracula 4) A&C Meet Frankenstein 5) The Black Cat 6) White Zombie 7) The Devil Bat 8) Dark Eyes of London 9) Invisible Ghost 10) Bowery At Midnight

[@bluejayfan5584]

I forgot it was Thursday until the den went in my feed.

[@DavysFlicks]

I'm still in 2022!

[@donnaschimming]

Enjoyed this very much, of course hubby and I have differing 'numbers' assigned to each of our Bela favorites; but this was great. Things that would have made this more interesting, would be to mention how many of his are in public domain, and the 'players' that we see in all of the Universals. Harry Cording in 2, John Carradine in 2, Dwight Frye in several, Glenn Strange, Ian Wolfe, Henry Daniell. Their names come up, but only vaguely. I love how you laugh at the other guy's comments. It shows you (and they) really enjoy doing this. I know you won't like this, but watching Chris Arlo isn't something we do. As soon as we see his name in Monsters Den, we click off. He takes it much too seriously and he interrupts and couldn't he keep the 'fucks' to a minimum?

[@Loganjohn636]

Right on Jamie ..One of My Favorites from lugosi Bride of Monster that line Dr. Eric Vornoff: Home? I have no home. Hunted, despised, living like an animal! The jungle is my home. And I will show the world that I can be its master! I will perfect my own race of people. A race of atomic supermen which will conquer the world!

[@JamesTurner-bd2yk]

He didn't remember more than one line! 😅

[@angelomicciche3044]

Nice tribute to Martin Landau’s tribute! Kar-lofffff?! Ps There is a lovely photo online of Bela making a fuss of a black cat on board a boat moored of Falmouth, Cornwall while making The Flying Dutchman.

[@DavysFlicks]

It wouldn't have been right to not mention Martin's performance! CHeers

[@monte.olson58]

Well done guys!

[@DavysFlicks]

Thanks as always!

[@chriskroll4166]

You guys kill me. Hey how about those 2 Eastside kids movie that Bela was in. Those were incredible. He was also in some fantastic 3 hour serials . Well done guys . Please do Boris Karloff next. And then how about an episode to where you just pick your top 10 horror movies. But they must be only from the thirties and the forties. I know you boys will do a great job because your heart seems to be in your work. 🙋

[@DavysFlicks]

We talked about Karloff but to avoid too much crossover, I think we said we'd circle back round. :) Cheers CHris

[@wherehouse119]

Look behind me there is an original Spooks run wild poster

[@chriskroll4166]

@@DavysFlicks oh yeah I can understand that because both of them are in the same movies but if you do get a chance down the road please do Boris Karloff because he is incredible and deserves a tribute. And if you do a top 10 on karlov please include the movie targets by Peter bogdanovich. It's a small masterpiece of a film.

[@chriskroll4166]

@@wherehouse119 Oh ok . I see it now. For some reason I just adore those two movies he did with the East side kids. I just love how the boys crack up and karlov keep such a straight face and plays his role straight to the Bone. I just thought it was a very good teaming.

[@daicullinane7746]

A very interesting show. A few I need to check out. Interestingly a channel we have in the UK called Talking Pictures showed The Return of the Vampire and they had rated the film an 18. I can only think it was because of the implied connotations in the film.

[@DavysFlicks]

The BBFC haven't rated it since the initial release when it received an X. That would only change when someone resubmits it for an official release rather than out of copyright as any X certs became automatic 18. If, say, the BFI put it out, I have zero doubt it would be a 12a or less. I love Talking Pictures, easily my most watched station.

[@LarryFleetwood8675]

The Raven Dracula The Invisible Ray Son of Frankenstein The Body Snatcher The Mystery of the Mary Celeste Dark Eyes of London Murders in the Rue Morgue The Black Cat White Zombie

[@Drac39]

You guys should do a Karloff and Lon Chaney Jr episode

[@juanborjas6416]

I think it would be nice if you made a video of the top films referenced in Misfits songs

[@mariopimenteljr8312]

Great commentary, thank you!

[@DavysFlicks]

THanks Mario. Take care!

[@markcovington8159]

Hey Pete. I'd like to know: How did you end up with the You Tube name: "See Of Tranquility"? Thank you!😀

[@DavysFlicks]

To avoid Pete having to answer it, which he's done in a lot of Q&As, SoT was a magazine that Pete didn't found but worked with in the 90s, when the owner gave up the ghost, Pete took over and had the site as eventually the main source, before eventually KZbin. SO long story short...it was the name already!

[@Jamie.Laszlo]

It's all right here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqi5mqKJprSXjMk

[@alexjohnston8889]

Love me some Bela, I haven't heard of some of these, I'll definitely check them out, thanks for the recommendations.

[@DavysFlicks]

No bother, thanks for watching!

[@QuirkZone]

Very enjoyable.

[@DavysFlicks]

Cheers!

[@Drinckx2]

Excellent stuff, although you missed a trick by not calling it ‘The Final Count-down’.

[@orchidcarpetcleaningrp6061]

Plan Nine from Outer Space for being caring to Ed Wood

[@anthonybomberry9935]

Hey Pete what did you think of live to win solo stanley

[@Loganjohn636]

Love it! That album Rocks by Paul 🤘🤘

[@muffinman4353]

Long live Herman Munster.....Fred Gwynne was brilliant!

[@garywohlgemuth3916]

I have a poster of Jamies t-shirt lol

[@anthonybernard3689]

I'd like to see Pete with facial hair.

[@fallspeed]

It's pronounced BAY-la, just to be pedantic about it.

[@franciskocher200]

😄👍

[@abeg3162]

👎