Having just seen Boris Karloff in "The Ape", I was somewhat taken aback to see another "man in a gorilla suit" sharing office space with the protagonist of "The Monster Maker". Though not credited, I wouldn't be surprised to learn if it was Ray "Crash" Corrigan in the get up, up to his old monkey shines once again. In the movie, J. Carrol Naish portrays mad scientist (is there any other kind in these 1940 era poverty row productions?) Dr. Igor Markoff, suddenly smitten with the appearance of Patricia Lawrence, daughter of famed concert pianist Anthony Lawrence (Ralph Morgan). You see, she's a dead ringer for the mad doctor's own deceased wife, who we learn committed suicide when she was reduced to the ugliness of acromegaly, a disfiguring disease which is glandular in origin. Markoff had injected her with a serum when a romantic rival tried to steal her away years ago so he could have her all to himself. Obviously, Markoff believed in the adage - beauty's only skin deep.
Markoff's plan to win Patricia involves injecting Lawrence with the acromegaly virus, with promise of a cure if the pianist can convince Patricia (Wanda McKay) to marry him. The makeup job on Lawrence was surprisingly well done, without being too outlandish. Holding out as long as he can, Lawrence finally seeks Markoff's help, but rather than committing to assist him in his scheme, he becomes Markoff's prisoner, with Markoff pulling more strings to entice Patricia to his lair.
As usual, good triumphs over evil, as Lawrence breaks his bonds and wrestles a handgun away from Markoff, shooting him in the tussle. Markoff's able assistant Maxine (Tala Birell), offers hope for a full recovery, as she is familiar with the doctor's work, and knows just where the X-54 serum antidote can be found - very convenient. The film ends as it opened, with Lawrence performing in concert to an appreciative audience that includes Patricia, her fiancé Bob, and Maxine, none the worse for wear for having endured his debilitating condition.
Final mention must be made of Markoff's brutish lab assistant, played by veteran "B" heavy Glenn Strange, usually to be found in hastily turned out Westerns of the era. However in his career, he managed to portray the iconic Frankenstein on three occasions ("House of Frankenstein", "House of Dracula" and "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein"). The twist in this film is the name he was given, for once the mad doctor was called Igor, and the assistant was "Steve"!
Markoff's plan to win Patricia involves injecting Lawrence with the acromegaly virus, with promise of a cure if the pianist can convince Patricia (Wanda McKay) to marry him. The makeup job on Lawrence was surprisingly well done, without being too outlandish. Holding out as long as he can, Lawrence finally seeks Markoff's help, but rather than committing to assist him in his scheme, he becomes Markoff's prisoner, with Markoff pulling more strings to entice Patricia to his lair.
As usual, good triumphs over evil, as Lawrence breaks his bonds and wrestles a handgun away from Markoff, shooting him in the tussle. Markoff's able assistant Maxine (Tala Birell), offers hope for a full recovery, as she is familiar with the doctor's work, and knows just where the X-54 serum antidote can be found - very convenient. The film ends as it opened, with Lawrence performing in concert to an appreciative audience that includes Patricia, her fiancé Bob, and Maxine, none the worse for wear for having endured his debilitating condition.
Final mention must be made of Markoff's brutish lab assistant, played by veteran "B" heavy Glenn Strange, usually to be found in hastily turned out Westerns of the era. However in his career, he managed to portray the iconic Frankenstein on three occasions ("House of Frankenstein", "House of Dracula" and "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein"). The twist in this film is the name he was given, for once the mad doctor was called Igor, and the assistant was "Steve"!