a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

This is a fairly good entertaining film concerning a conceited mad scientist named Dr. Igor Markoff.Dr. Igor falls for a woman named Patricia who resembles his dead wife. Patricia rejects the doctor's advances and enlists her father (Anthony) to help stop the doctor from coming on so strong to her. Dr. Igor insists that Patricia marries him and will stop at nothing for her to become his new bride. Surprisingly, the doctor is actually well respected in the medical community and hides his wicked ways well from others. Dr. Igor hides the fact he will inject his enemies with Acromegaly to get what he wants.The movie is fun, a bit corny and has some fairly good horror moments in it. This is a good afternoon film - it's not the really good creepy horror film that is good for a late night viewing but it's fun to watch.5/10

It's obvious that there was a fixation in this era with the whole concept of the mad scientist who conducts evil experiments. At its best, this was a genre that produced classics like "Frankenstein" or "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." "The Monster Maker" is not the genre at its best - although admittedly it's also not the genre at its worst.My impression has always been that this was an era of transition in movie-making. Some movies from the era have a very "old" feel, as if they come from a bygone era. Others feel very fresh and modern and stand up well today. This is an example of the former. It would have fit into the early 30's well enough. The performances were passable, as was the story, which revolved around Dr. Markoff (J. Carrol Naish) who injects his hapless victim Anthony Lawrence (Ralph Morgan) with a dreadful disfiguring disease for which only he has the cure, the price for which is that Lawrence has to convince his beautiful daughter (Wanda McKay) to marry Markoff. It's not a very frightening movie; it's not even all that suspenseful. The title overstates Markoff's work. Lawrence is certainly disfigured, with swollen hands and a mis-shaped head, but he's hardly a "monster," so those looking for a monster movie will find this disappointing.It's nothing noteworthy, but it's also not awful. (4/10)

I give it a 6--it's very enjoyable and novel but it is a less than perfect film, that's for sure! With a title like "The Monster Maker", I was expecting a Dr. Frankenstein sort of film--you know, a film about a man who wants to create monsters in the traditional sense. However, what the film actually turned out to be very, very different--and rather creative.The film begins with a crazy scientist, Dr. Markoff (J. Carroll Naish), seeing a woman at the theater and becoming transfixed on her. It seems that she's the spitting image of his dead wife! What follows is pretty creepy, as the guy comes on VERY strong to her and begins pestering her. He is determined that she must be his wife! Her father (Ralph Morgan--brother of Frank Morgan) goes to the Doctor to tell him to leave his daughter alone--at which point Markoff smacks the guy over the head. You THINK he's just killed the guy, but Markoff has other plans. It seemed that when the guy was unconscious he injected him with a serum that would cause acromegaly--the same disorder that affected the so-called 'Elephant Man'! Can this fiend be stopped? Will Morgan be completely screwed? Will the daughter escape the crazy old perv's clutches? Tune in to this interesting film to find out for yourself.The plot sure is creative and different. After reviewing nearly 9000 films, it sure is nice to see something new and creative--and this cheap PRC film actually does this well. In addition, the acrogemaly effects were, for 1944, exceptional--again, something you would not expect in a 'Poverty Row' picture and it's obvious that the studio spent far more than usual for this dandy little film. Now this is NOT to say that this is a great film or one that you'd mistake for a major production. It still has the awful guy in a gorilla suit (which, incidentally, NEVER looks realistic), some of the actors (aside from Morgan and Naish) were poor, there was needless exposition early in the film (I'll explain about this below) and there is a plot hole (why didn't Morgan just go to the police after Naish attacked him?!). Overall, despite these shortcomings, a neat little B-movie for fans of the genre. Others might be less impressed! Exposition--When characters give long speeches explaining things that were not shown in the plot--particularly things that have happened before the film began. It's a VERY sloppy plot device and shows poor writing when done sloppily--which it usually is. In other words, instead of showing what had occurred or using a flashback, the characters speak very, very unnaturally to explain something to the audience. Real human beings do NOT talk this way. It must be used very, very sparingly or not at all--otherwise the film suffers.

I'm working my way through the Horror Classics 50 Movie Pack Collection and THE MONSTER MAKER is one of the better movies in the set."THE MONSTER MAKER" offers a compelling story, believable characters, plausible character development; and, good special effects for the 1940s.A successful concert pianist's daughter resembles the deceased wife of Dr. Igor Markoff, who shows her considerable; and, unwanted attention. He audaciously vows to marry her, while throwing off the affections of his long-suffering, female assistant.The doctor is an expert in hormonal disorders; and, has been working on a cure for Acromegaly. However, in a fit of rage, he injects the concert pianist, to gain control of the daughter, by promising a cure...Throw in a jealous boyfriend, a gorilla, and a dog; and, horror ensues!