Cheap Tricks and Class Acts: Special Effects, Makeup and Stunts from the Films of the Fantastic Fifties

by John J.J. Johnson

In the 1950s Hollywood unleashed a wave of monsters; everything from demon aliens and dinosaurs to blobs and bloated bugs infested theaters and drive-ins. Lost worlds were discovered, unnatural terrors shook the screen, gigantism ran rampant. Moviegoers were left with one question: How did they do that? This work uncovers the cheap and challenging behind-the-scenes production secrets of the fantastic films of the 1950s. Special technical effects, visual effects, menacing makeup, stunts, fantastic sets and film locations are all covered in detail along with the many men and women who shared in these occasionally brilliant and usually outrageous efforts. Also included is a lengthy checklist of the prominent makeup, stunt, prop and effects artists of the era, with a listing of their fantastic film credits.

404 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1995