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Universal Pictures
Not part of a collection.
The most amazing monster the world has ever known.
Mad scientist turns a man into an electrically-controlled monster to do his bidding.
John Chard
Mar 5, 2020 · via TMDB
Dynamo Dan: The Electric Man. Man Made Monster is directed by George Waggner and stars Lionel Atwill, Lon Chaney Jr & Anne Nagel. It's adapted from an original story titled "The Electric Man" which is co-written by H.J. Essex, Sid Schwartz & Len Golos. It is notable for being the first horror venture for Chaney Jr who would make his signature horror movie "The Wolf Man" the same year. Plot sees Chaney as "Big Dan" McCormick, the sole survivor of an electric train wreck. That all the other passengers were killed by electrocution fascinates the sci-fi boffins, particularly diabolic Dr. Paul Rigas (Atwill), who coerces Dan into a series of tests. The outcome of which will spell disaster as Dan absorbs huge levels of electricity and becomes immune to it. Soon Dan will become the unstoppable Electric Man. Universal's "Man Made Monster" has no pretence what so ever, it is what it is, a short sharp shock shocker that plugs itself into the mains and lights up the screen for the 1 hour running time. Which in the case of the excellent Chaney Jr is actually the case, as he is transformed into a hulking, walking light bulb head that garners sympathy in the way that Universal's other man made monster did. The photography (Elwood Bredell) is moody and atmospheric, Hans J. Salter's musical score delightfully oozes familiar Universal values, while Waggner and his team, when one considers the short running time, do very good work on the characterisations - with Atwill given full license to be bonkers - real bonkers... It's all very conventional in the grand scheme of Universal horror. Monster elicits sympathy, a foxy lady in the mix (Nagel), mad scientist, dashing hero type (Frank Albertson) and here we even have the intelligent pet. There's some smarts in the writing as the makers observe capital punishment and note man messing with things he probably shouldn't be. But really just don't go too deep with it and enjoy a solid little chiller that's boosted by John Fulton's first rate special effects. 7/10
User reviews courtesy of TMDB.
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Lon Chaney Jr.
Dan McCormick
Lionel Atwill
Dr. Paul Rigas
Anne Nagel
June Lawrence
Frank Albertson
Mark Adams
Samuel S. Hinds
Dr. John Lawrence
William B. Davidson
District Attorney Ralph B. Stanley
Ben Taggart
Detective Sergeant Regan
Constance Bergen
Nurse
Ivan Miller
Doctor
Chester Gan
Chinese Boy, Wong
George Meader
Dr. Bruno
Frank O'Connor
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John Dilson
Medical Examiner
Byron Foulger
Alienist #2
Jessie Arnold
Mrs. Frank Davis (uncredited)
James Blaine
Charlie, Prison Guard (uncredited)
Douglas Evans
Police Radio Announcer (uncredited)
William Hall
Mike - Dynamo Operator (uncredited)
Russell Hicks
Warden Harris (uncredited)
Bob Reeves
Prison Guard (uncredited)
David Sharpe
Hay Wagon Passenger (uncredited)
Jack Pierce
Makeup Artist
David Sharpe
Stunts
George Waggner
Director
Frank Skinner
Music
George Waggner
Screenplay
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The Stranglers - Live '78, SF
1978
Saddle Leather Law
1944
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Battle your watched movies head-to-head
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Evil Dead II
1987 · 14 wins
The Dark Knight
2008 · 14 wins
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1978 · 13 wins
Final Destination
2000 · 12 wins
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1981 · 11 wins
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