Horror and monster movies have always been popular with a large segment
of the population. We've all seen or heard of the classic Universal
horror films like "Frankenstein", "Dracula" and "The Wolf Man."
Hammer Film Productions Ltd. in England remade many of these
Universal movies with a gothic atmosphere and sex appeal. Other
branches of the horror genre have evolved over the years: comedy-horror,
science fiction-horror, suspense and low-budget cult films.
In 1957, a new kind of monster movie emerged when it was
discovered that a large part of the movie-going audience
were in their teens. With the release of Herman Cohen's
"I Was A Teenage Werewolf," the teenage monster movie was born.
Most of these films about teenagers and monsters were released by
American International Pictures in the late 1950's. James H. Nicholson
and Samuel Z. Arkoff were the men behind A.I.P. and it was their idea
to make films that combined "Rebel Without A Cause" teen angst with
monsters. With the assistance of people like producer Herman Cohen
and Albert Kallis, who handled the poster designs and advertising
campaigns, these movies became very popular with the younger generation.
NOTE: Yes I know "Frankenstein's Daughter" was not an American International
movie. However it is a film about teenagers and the female monster,
although played by an adult male, was supposedly a teenage female monster
according to the story. And it could easily be thought of as an AIP movie.
These movies also helped launch the careers of actors like
Michael Landon, Gary Conway, Guy Williams, Robert Vaughn, Frank Gorshin
and many others. Often criticized because of their low budgets, over-aged teenagers, the way adults were portrayed, contributing to juvenile delinquency and poor attempts at "rock'n'roll" songs, these motion pictures are now seen as highly entertaining "B" films. No matter what the critics said, I enjoyed these films and they were an important part of my childhood. If you feel the same way as I do, I would like to hear from you "older" teenagers who saw these films when they were first released and have special memories about them, or newer fans who have seen them for the first time and enjoyed them. You can visit my guest book or e-mail me at
teenagewerewolf1957@yahoo.com
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