Attack of

In honor of Halloween, I thought I would take this time to pay homage to my favorite movies: B-movies--particularly B-horror movies. B-horror movies from the 1950s and 1960s are pure camp. The acting, the dialog, and special effects are always abominable. The plot is always some variation of people getting stuck in a remote location with a mad-scientist. But for me, there is nothing better then curling up with my popcorn cart (!), a blanket, and a stack of B-movies.

Here are some of my favorites:

The Manster

"When a reporter (Peter Dyneley) is injected with an experimental serum by a crazed Japanese scientist (Tetsu Nakamura), he sprouts a second head and begins terrorizing the streets of Tokyo. Can the police -- or the mad scientist -- stop him before it's too late? Or has an irreversible new phase in human evolution begun? Directed by George Breakston and Kenneth G. Crane, this campy horror flick also stars Jane Hylton and Jerry Ito." - Netflix

Best scene: a three-way tie between the geisha party, when the eye sprouts on the reporter's shoulder, and the volcano scene

Bottom line: If you are only going to see one B-movie from this list, make it The Manster. He's half man, half monster!



The Attack of the Killer Shrews - also know as The Killer Shrews

"Like your horror mixed with camp? . . . Go to an isolated island where a mad scientist (Baruch Lumet) has created giant shrews with gnashing teeth -- and they're out for human blood." - Netflix

Best scene: when you get your first good look at the "Killer Shrews" and realize they are just dogs in costumes

Bottom line: This is the quintessential "Attack of" movie.



The Terror

"Lt. Andre Duvalier (played by a very young Jack Nicholson) is an officer in Napoleon's army. When he pursues a mysterious woman into the castle of an elderly baron (Boris Karloff), he uncovers a bizarre plot: A witch (Dorothy Neumann) is planning to drive the baron to suicide. Duvalier soon finds himself in a world of supernatural treachery where nothing is what it seems in this thriller shot in just three days by B movie king Roger Corman." - Netflix

Good to know: Francis Ford Coppola shot the second unit footage of this movie. Is there anyone in Hollywood who didn't get there start with Roger Corman?

Bottom line: The king of B-movies - Roger Corman - pairs up with Jack Nicholson for some delightful camp!



Attack of the Puppet People

"Deranged puppet maker Franz (John Hoyt) is terrified of being abandoned, so he invents a machine to shrink humans down to doll size. By kidnapping people and turning the machine on them, he soon gathers a troupe of shrunken prisoners to keep him company. But when he shrinks his lovely secretary (June Kenney) and her fiancé (John Agar), they're determined to find a way to stop the crazy puppeteerb." - Netflix

Best scene: the "scientific"explanation of how the puppet maker is able to shrink people

Bottom line: A man shrinks people into puppets - what more do you need to see this movie?


Many of these movies were featured on the popular show Mystery Science Theater 3000. They are also widely available on Netflix or at Half Price Books. Happy Halloween!