103 - MAD MONSTER with short: COMMANDO CODY PT 2

Genre:  Very Dated Horror (1942, B&W)

Short:  Another episode that begins with an installment of the Commando Cody serial, this one is a bit more enjoyable than the first part (see in ep #102) as the riffing is getting a bit better.

Synopsis:  The feature is a hopelessly dated horror flick about a mad scientist, Dr. Cameron, who transfused the blood of a wolf into a big, slow, dumb guy named Pedro. The experiment turns Pedro into a werewolf, an event that then causes the mad scientist to see ghostly apparitions of his fellow scientists who all laughed at his ideas. So he decides to take revenge on them all. The first scientist he takes out, he cleverly tricks into given Pedro the werewolf shot when he, Dr Cameron, is away creating an alibi by pretending he can’t walk. A nosey reporter who’s investigating the strange animal killings going on, at first thinks they are caused by “prehistoric lizards” (called “dinosaurs” by anyone with more than half a brain) and he sticks around to further investigate the killings... and Dr. Cameron’s hot-looking daughter, Lenora (he wants to go undercover on that investigative research).  Dr. Cameron continues to use Pedro to take out his critics but, eventually, the Pedro-Werewolf strikes back at the doctor, and both are killed when the mad doctor’s house burns down – only his daughter and the nosey reporter escape.

Don’s Review:  Horribly dated horror film that is more tediously dull than it is scary, is fairly decently riffed upon by J&tBs.  The riffing, while not great, does have some highlights, such as the funny doggie riffs in the werewolf scenes.  And the host segments are also mildly amusing although mostly forgettable.  The main drawback with this episode really is the poor quality of the movie:  the picture is in very bad shape and the soundtrack is irritatingly hissy and full of pops and clicks – and that poor quality does make this episode a bit more difficult to watch.

Don’s Rating:   [S:   F: ]

Related Link:
   (1) Mighty Jack’s MST3K Review (Episode Review)