Paul Blaisdell, Monster Maker: A Biography of the B Movie Makeup and Special Effects Artist

by Randy Palmer

Overview

Paul Blaisdell was the man behind the monsters in such movies as The She Creature, Invasion of the Saucer Men, Not of This Earth, It! Terror from Beyond Space and many others. Working in primarily low-budget films, Blaisdell was forced to rely on greasepaint, guts and, most importantly, an unbounded imagination for his creations.

From his inauspicious beginning through The Ghost of Dragstrip Hollow (1959), the construction of Blaisdell's monsters and the making of the movies in which they appeared are fully detailed here. Blaisdell's work in the early monster magazines of the 1960s is also covered.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781476607290
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	07/11/2015
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	304
File size:	13 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

The late Randy Palmer has written for Fangoria, Cinefantastique and other genre magazines. He lived in Greensboro, North Carolina.
The late Randy Palmer wrote for Fangoria, Cinefantastique and other genre magazines. He lived in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Foreword by Fred Olen Ray     
Foreword by Bob Burns     
Preface     
A Note Concerning the Text     

1. Turning Hollywood into Horrorwood     
2. The Eyes Have It      . .     
3. The Mutant of Topanga Canyon     
4. Venusian Vegetable     
5. Blaisdell in Drag     
6. Voodoo and Venom     
7. Here Comes Mr. Gordon     
8. Cosmic Creeps     
9. Bert Gordon Strikes Back     
10. Missing Monsters     
11. Mars Needs Hemoglobin     
12. The Last Her-rah     
13. Beyond the B’s     
14. Black and White and Bled All Over     
15. Travesties and Tributes     
16. Sunset     

Appendix     
Filmography     
Index     

Editorial Reviews

A biography of the B-movie monster maker concentrating on the methods Blaisdell used to create unforgettable hits such as "The She Creature", "Invasion of the Saucer Men", and "Terror from Beyond Space". Much like the movie "Ed Wood" inspires awe by its sheer kookiness, the biography deifies the make-up man who constructed his creepy creatures from spit and greasepaint in the garage, paving the way for more sophisticated aliens like those who appear in "Star Wars". Includes photographs, a filmography, and an appendix of selected writings by Blaisdell. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Booknews

an enjoyable read”—Choice; “[Blaisdell’s monsters are] capable of making us laugh and scream at the same time...interesting”—San Francisco Examiner Magazine; “affectionate and informative…technical information is wonderful…crisply reproduced photos, drawings and half-tones”—Filmfax; “a book dedicated to the rich imagination and ingenious talents of one of Hollywood’s most creative fringe dwellers”—International Theatre Information; “fascinating”—Classic Images; “wonderful...recommend[ed]”—bare•bones; “recommend[ed]”—Famous Monsters of Filmland; “a tremendous resource”—Fangoria; “thoroughly readable and informative...highly recommended”—Cult Movies; “of keen interest to anyone who enjoys the heyday of teenaged drive-in theater monster movies”—Midnight Marquee; “scrupulous detail...this book is a treat”—Shivers; “the definitive book”—Little Shoppe of Horrors; “comprehensive...required reading”—Crimson Celluloid.

From the Publisher

affectionate and informative...technical information is wonderful...crisply reproduced photos, drawings and half-tones

Filmfax

[Blaisdell's monsters are] capable of making us laugh and scream at the same time...interesting

San Francisco Examiner Magazine

an enjoyable read

Choice