Human Monsters: The Bizarre Psychology of Movie Villains

by George E. Turner, Michael H. Price

Turner, George E.; Price, Michael H.

207 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1995

About the author

A former editor of American Cinematographer, George Turner has also worked as a production illustrator and special effects artist in films and television. Prior to those experiences, he was a newspaperman in Texas. A graduate of West Texas State University, he attended the Art Institute of Chicago and the American Academy of Art, and took private classes with Ramon Froman, Ben Mead, Stefan Kramar, Bud Biggs and Gerry Pearce. He has written and illustrated numerous books, including The Making of King Kong (with Orville Goldner), Forgotten Horrors (with Michael Price), Murder in the Palo Duro, Panhandle Portrait and Secrets of Billy the Kid. His stories, articles, cartoons, and illustrations have appeared in many magazines. His film credits include Ray Bradbury's Infinite Horizons, One from the Heart, Outland, Zorro and Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid.

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

After true crime human monsters I came across this outstanding book. Many great movie villains from the classic period of first half of the 20th century: The Great Gabbo, Svengali, Fu Manchu, Mister X, The Walking Dead, Sweeney Todd, Dark Eyes of London, The Mad Doctor and many more with numerous movie stills (black and white) and descriptions. The book closes on villains that pursue Vincent Price. Fantastic read on well and lesser known murder classics. Highly recommended!

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having poured over "Forgotten Horrors" numerous times I was so
looking forward to this book and it did not disappoint. Fans of
George E. Turner and Michael H. Price will know what to expect -
loads of amazing film knowledge about 60 movies dealing with
"human" monsters. I wasn't sure what to expect but a quick look
at some of the titles gave me a good idea - Erich von Stroheim's
masterful performance as an egotistical ventriloquist who
eventually succumbs to madness in "The Great Gabbo", an early
talkie psychological thriller -with about 7 musical numbers to
appease the public's insatiable (in 1929) desire for musicals!!
Lionell Atwill, in "Murders in the Zoo" (1933), is Eric Gorman,
an insanely jealous zoologist, who is always thinking up new ways
to dispose of his wife's lovers - the first scene is unbelievably
macabre!!
Women are also represented - Anne Baxter in the little known "Guest
in the House"(1944), also known as "Satan in Skirts", almost a dress
rehearsal for "All About Eve". She plays a "sweet" girl with a heart
condition taken in by her doctor's family - almost too late they
realise she is a psychopath (the audience cottons on much quicker).
Laraine Day's tour de force performance in "The Locket" (1946) - a
film that critics and the public found hard to understand at the
time, told as a flashback within a flashback within a flashback!!
A young Robert Mitchum played one of her victims!!
Every film has a detailed cast list, a synopsis and an essay about
the background of each film. The book also features films from all
studios both major and minor, classics like "The Old Dark House"
(1932), "Dragonwyck" (1946) to unknowns like "Mystery Ranch" (1932),
"Who is Hope Schuyler" (1942). There are some oddities - "Uncivilized"
(1936), an Australian film which apparently had a huge influence on
Paul Hogan's "Crocodile Dundee". "Sweeney Todd - Demon Barber of
Fleet Street"(1936) which brings long overdue attention to the
career of Tod Slaughter. There are also two appraisals of films I
wouldn't have looked twice at - "Broken Blossoms"(1936), a British
remake of D.W. Griffith's legendary 1919 film. Apparently he went
to England to direct this later version but disagreements made the
deal fall through. Also the remake of "M"(1951), I have never been
interested in seeing this (although the original is one of my
favourite films) but the article made me very interested in it!!
For people familiar with the author's work this book is in the
same witty, meticulous vein - don't be frightened by the cover!!

[Batgrl (Book Data Kept Elsewhere)]

Essay on page 192: "The Villains Still Pursue Me" by Vincent Price.