Rating: 
Summary: The Ed Wood film with Bela Lugosi and the rubber octopus
Review: "Bride of the Monster," also known as "Bride of the Atom," is the 1956 Ed Wood film where Bela Lugosi wrestles with a giant fake octopus (oh, THAT Ed Wood film). The argument here is not that this is a good movie, but we are talking Ed Wood, which means a whole different criteria for evaluating a film and your enjoyment in viewing same. Yes, this is a bad film, but there is such an earnestness to Wood's efforts that he is obviously oblivious to it all, which makes the film equally endearing and depressing. The man got his movies made, so I just do not see this as sad as those people who finally get the opportunity to make a film and make some dreadful splatter flick. So, now, Ed Wood is not in the lowest circle of the cinematic inferno. This is not a four-star film, just a four-star experience. Big difference.Lugosi is the evil mad scientist Dr. Eric Vornoff, who uses his dumb assistant, Lobo (Tor Johnson) to capture the locals so he can use atomic energy to transform them into supermen back as his laboratory in an abandoned house in the middle of a swamp where the pet rubber octopus out back is used to dispose of the mistakes. Intrepid girl reporter Janet Lawton (Loretta King) investigates the disappearances, although her fiance, Detective Lt. Dick Craig (Tony McCoy) tries to warn her off. Janet is captured by Lobo and (horrors) forced to wear a wedding dress (thereby justifying if not explaining the title). Can Dick and the other cops rescue her in time? "Plan 9 From Outer Space" remains the apex of bad Ed Wood films, but all things considered "Bride of the Monster" probably comes in second. The acting is probably worse, but so is the script, so I do not find as many memorably lines that force you to howl in laughter. Much is made of Lugosi's participation in these Ed Wood flicks and this is the one where the old actor has the most to do as he goes tampering with God's domain. He gives it his all despite the problems with the script and the fact there is no budget for making this movie. "Night of the Ghouls" is considered a sequel to this film because Tor Johnson again plays "Lobo," but do not expect any more continuity between the two than that if you bother to track it down, but then there is not reason for you to do so. After "Plan 9 From Outer Space" this is the Ed Wood film to check out, and if you really want to find out more about Ed then "Glen or Glenda." But beyond those three, you are on your own.
Rating: 
Summary: Back Lobo! Back Lobo!!!
Review: "One is always considered 'mad', if one discovers something that others cannot grasp", is what Bela Lugosi's "Dr. Eric Vornoff" rants in this classic Ed Wood movie, and it would seem to apply to fans of the movie also! Lugosi hams it up magnificently in his last screen appearance, aided by his "man-beast servant" Lobo played by Swedish wrestler Tor Johanssen. Dr. Vornoff is trying to create a race of atomic supermen using a photographic enlarger suspended from a mike stand and a salad bowl (placed on victims heads), with the protection of a giant octopus. Though slow-moving initially, the Lugosi scenes are magnificent - my personal favourite is when he has to whip an amorous Lobo away from the "Bride" of the title. It all ends in an inexplicable atomic explosion and the police detective's infamous musing "He tampered in God's domain". Unmissable, if only for the 'acting by numbers'!
Rating:
Summary: Back Lobo! Back Lobo!!!
Review: "One is always considered 'mad', if one discovers something that others cannot grasp", is what Bela Lugosi's "Dr. Eric Vornoff" rants in this classic Ed Wood movie, and it would seem to apply to fans of the movie also! Lugosi hams it up magnificently in his last screen appearance, aided by his "man-beast servant" Lobo played by Swedish wrestler Tor Johanssen. Dr. Vornoff is trying to create a race of atomic supermen using a photographic enlarger suspended from a mike stand and a salad bowl (placed on victims heads), with the protection of a giant octopus. Though slow-moving initially, the Lugosi scenes are magnificent - my personal favourite is when he has to whip an amorous Lobo away from the "Bride" of the title. It all ends in an inexplicable atomic explosion and the police detective's infamous musing "He tampered in God's domain". Unmissable, if only for the 'acting by numbers'!
Rating:
Summary: Bela Lugosi and a Giant Rubber Octopus!
Review: 'Bride of the Monster' is probably Ed Wood's genuinely best movie, though it is, of course, still a low budget piece of cinematic cheese. I love Wood, and think his films are delightful in their ingenuity, stream-of-consciousness dialogue, illogical editing, and weirdo cast members and hangers on (I particularly miss Criswell and Vampira in this one.) In 'Bride of the Monster' (originally 'Bride of the Atom') Wood weaves a tale of mayhem, aging lunatic scientists (Bela Lugosi as Dr. Eric Vornoff) and their mute giant henchmen (Swedish wrestler Tor Johnson as 'Lobo'), pretty news reporters (Dolores Fuller), and giant rubber octopi. The story is fairly irrelevant, as in most Wood films, although some see this as Ed's anti-nuclear picture, which though reasonable, is not my personal opinion. I think the nuclear backdrop in the film is a device to explain the presence of Lugosi and his plot to make 'atomic powered supermen' to take over the world, but I could be wrong and you are free to have your own interpretation. The standout bits of unintentional comedy in this movie (present in all Wood films, though here less than most) are the colander on the head device in Vornoff's laboratory, the incredibly silly looking rubber octopus that cast members had to deal with (this is a story in itself as Ed appropriated the octopus from a major studio, but forgot to bring the device that made it work, so cast members ended up pulling the legs around them in their 'death struggle' scenes), and the now famous atomic explosion (requested by a financial backer of the film) at the end, which has absolutely nothing to do with the rest of the film. Pure Ed Wood genius, in other words. The movie is the last one ever by Bela Lugosi (the minute or so of Lugosi in 'Plan 9' was used after Bela's death), and some of his performance is excellent, particularly the beginning of the genuinely autobiographical "I have no home" speech. He also exhibits the creepy double-jointed finger movements he was famous for in 'Dracula' and they are still very creepy. The other acting, while not Oscar worthy, is also a step above the typical Wood film. In summary, I think 'Bride of the Monster' is worth five stars for several reasons: first, it is probably Wood's genuinely best film; two, it is fun to watch in the spirit of campy old monster movies; and three, Bela Lugosi shines in his last role. Sure it's wacky, disjointed, and at times nonsensical, but if you get into the spirit of it, it's a fun film to watch by yourself, of better yet, with likeminded friends.
Rating:
Summary: I wish only to be buried with a copy of this film. . .
Review: (Rev 7/15/02)
Now here is true cinema. Forget ROBOT MONSTER. Forget PLAN 9. The essence of them all is here, in BRIDE OF THE MONSTER. This film can change your life. I got so excited watching Bela Lugosi struggle with the rubber octopus. I went right out and ordered one myself. I keep it near my bed...it is so carressable... It is essential to see this film if you are to ever understand Ed Wood's recently recovered masterpiece, NIGHT OF THE GHOULS. Many of the subtleties of that masterpiece come to life in the shadow of an appreciation and comprehension of BRIDE OF THE MONSTER. The newspaper angle is a doozy. I love the way she parks. . . Well, a nod's as good as a wink . . .get your copy today. Don't miss the hot flagellation scenes. I think he should have flagellated him with the octopus. And the mad scientist lab scenes don't come any wilder!
Rating: 
Summary: The Best of Really Bad Film Making
Review: A typical Ed Wood concoction of plodding dialogue, nonsensical story, grade z actors, and special effects so bad they have to be seen to believed. Not quite so memorably ludicrous as Plan 9 From Outer Space, but not far from it. If your sense of humor is warped enough to enjoy it, The Bride of the Monster can be quite entertaining-- particularly re actress Loretta King, who has all the presence of wooden subflooring.
Rating:
Summary: Another masterwork from Ed Wood
Review: Another oddity from Ed Wood, who at least had a co-writer for this one, making it a shade more coherent than his other films. Still, the script, the sets, and the special effects are vintage Ed Wood. The flaccid rubber octopus is perhaps the least frightening "monster" in all of filmdom. Tor Johnson is amusing, and Lugosi hams it up all the way. A campy laughfest.
Rating:
Summary: It's not too bad but yes it is rubbish
Review: Basically this a sci-fi flick with an interesting story. The actors were not as atrocious as in Glen or Glenda. Sure they were wooden, but they weren't as cardboard cut out as Dolores was in that or many of the actors that were in that. In some ways though sympathies have to go to Bela Lugosi. He tries his damnedest to do his best in every film and is only let down by nearly all of those around him. His assistant Lobo ( or Tor ) isn't so bad himself. He plays the silent part well and knows how to carry out his job perfectly. It's just a pity he had to be in this film. Everybody else just is a bit too hammy in their acting to be really believable and well when it comes to inanimate objects that are pretending to be snakes or giant octopusses, the less said the better! Well actually, I might as well divulge them anyway......basically see them scream and squirm and toss and turn when the thing does absolutely nothing is hilarious. Another problem is the ending which happens a little too quick. I know some might just turn off the DVD when they think it's all just crap but it seems Ed spent ages on how to plot the suspense and leaves you short changed on the ending. Just a simple few words " He messed with..." blah blah blah and kaboosh show's over folks. It's not so much of a happy ending as more of a botched job of an ending. Still there's a dramatic improvement in this film and Glen or Glenda But Ed tried, honestly he tried
Rating: 
Summary: Knock on Wood
Review: Bela Lugosi is evil mad scientist Dr. Vornoff. His ultimate, insane goal? Not sure. He and his Igor-like assistant, Lobo (Tor Johnson), kidnap local citizens who wander around the duo's lab/abandoned house in the middle of the swamp. The victims are fitted with a funny hat, have a piece of photograph processing equipment aimed at them, and are fed to the giant rubber octopus out back. Spunky gal reporter Janet (Loretta King) decides to investigate the locals' disappearances much to the collective chagrin of her straight arrow fiance, detective Dick (Tony McCoy) and Captain Robbins (Harvey B. Dunn). Janet is captured by Lobo and held prisoner. Dick and his partner follow convenient victim Professor Strowski (George Becwar) to the swamp. For some unknown reason, perhaps to explain the title, Janet is eventually dressed in a wedding gown. Soon, Dick and Janet do battle with Vornoff and Lobo as Robbins and half a half dozen cops close in. Written and directed by Ed Wood, this film is awful but not as technically inept as "Plan 9 from Outer Space." Wood does let his cast aspire to whole new depths of lousy acting. The entire cast is stiff, and the audience's sympathy falls squarely on Lugosi. His performance is not just bad, it is sad. As mentioned, the "bride" in the title is King, but who is she supposed to be marrying? Vornoff? Lobo? The rubber octopus? There is a throw away line about her being the bride of an atom, which makes no sense. Ed Wood is looked upon with fondness today; some might say he simply made films that are child-like and innocent. I have seen some of his films, and they are instead both childish and insolent. Good intentions do not a good film make, and the only thing good here are its intentions. I do not recommend it. Unrated- Physical violence, gun violence
Rating:
Summary: "Don't be afraid of Lobo. He's as gentle as a kitten."
Review: Bela Lugosi, Jr. once said in an interview that his father always gave his best to a performance, no matter how bad the movie itself was. This is true in the case of "Bride of the Monster." Lugosi's performance is the highlight of the film; despite his obviously frail health, he does a good job as Dr. Eric Vornoff, employing Dracula-like hand motions, extreme close-ups of his glaring eyes, and evil little chuckles. As for the rest of the film...well, it's not as bad as I would have expcted an Ed Wood film to be. Sure, the octopus is so fake it's ridiculous, and the dreaded atomic machine is a doctor's examining table with a salad bowl for your head, but it's not a total shambles of a production to the extent than "Plan 9" would be. The movie probably looks better than it did originally, due to a very good transfer to DVD; the picture is great for an old movie which was at the time cheaply made. The sound, however, could have been a little better; I had turn my TV volume almost all the way up in order to hear Loretta King speak and make out what Lugosi was saying, with his thick accent. If you're a fan of the movie "Ed Wood," it's worth checking out to see the real "Bride" portrayed in that film. I would also recommend it to loyal Lugosi fans who want to see Bela in his final speaking role. He said he wanted to work until the end, and although "Bride" is by no stretch a worthy farewell to such a fine actor, you will still enjoy Lugosi's performance.
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