The Monster Club 1981
Directed by
Roy Ward Baker
Made by
ITC Entertainment Group
Plot Summary
A fictional interpretation of the author R. Chetwynd-Hayes, portrayed by John Carradine, finds himself approached on a bustling London street by a peculiar man, who turns out to be a famished vampire named Eramus, played by Vincent Price. After Eramus bites the bewildered writer, he takes Chetwynd-Hayes to a mysterious nightclub that serves as a secret rendezvous for various supernatural beings. Amidst the club’s eclectic music and captivating performances, Eramus shares three intriguing tales about his fellow night creatures.
“The Shadmock” follows a young woman named Angela, played by Barbara Kellerman, who is in dire financial straits. She takes a position at a secluded manor owned by Raven, a tragic hybrid creature known as a Shadmock, played by James Laurenson, infamous for his haunting whistle. As Angela grows closer to the enigmatic Shadmock, he proposes marriage. However, Angela, spurred on by her domineering boyfriend George, played by Simon Ward, feels compelled to accept to secure the Shadmock’s wealth. During the engagement party, Angela is caught attempting to rob his safe and, in a panic, declares her inability to love him. Heartbroken, the Shadmock’s sorrowful whistle leads to Angela’s face melting before the eyes of her terrified fiancé, who ultimately descends into madness and is institutionalized.
“The Vampires” centers on Lintom Busotsky, portrayed by Warren Saire, a shy human boy from a peaceful vampire family. Lintom leads a solitary life, plagued by bullies at school while his vampire father, played by Richard Johnson, remains distant. Upon discovering that he is indeed the son of a vampire hunted by bureaucratic vampire hunters led by Donald Pleasence, Lintom’s life takes a turn. The hunters invade their home and end up staking his father. In a twist of fate, the father bites the head hunter before dying, destined to be staked by those he once commanded. After a chaotic chase, Lintom’s father proves to have faked his death, escaping with a tomato ketchup-filled vest.
“The Humgoo” features an American film director, played by Stuart Whitman, and his nightmarish journey to the cursed village of Loughville, located in Norfolk. The isolated location hides malevolent ghouls who feast on corpses, and as he attempts to leave, he meets Luna, portrayed by Lesley Dunlop, a girl born of both a ghoul father and a deceased human mother. Luna implores him to take refuge in the church, a sanctuary that ghouls cannot trespass. Within the church, the director uncovers the horrifying reality of the village’s past, where ghouls intermixed with humans. As he makes a bid for escape, tragedy strikes, and Luna falls victim to the very monsters they both fear. Captured, he faces a grim fate, escorted back by ghoul law enforcement.
Ultimately, as the film concludes, Eramus delightfully recounts the myriad of cruel ways humans can inflict harm upon one another. He triumphantly asserts that humanity stands as the most despicable of all monsters, leading to Chetwynd-Hayes being honored as a new member of this peculiar club of creatures.
Timeline
Meeting the Vampire
R. Chetwynd-Hayes is approached by Eramus, a mysterious and famished vampire, on a busy street in London. This unexpected encounter not only leaves Chetwynd-Hayes bewildered but also sets him on a journey to a world filled with supernatural beings.
The Bite
After a brief dialogue, Eramus bites Chetwynd-Hayes, forever changing his reality. This fateful moment compels Chetwynd-Hayes to enter a hidden realm where vampires and other creatures thrive away from human eyes.
The Nightclub
Chetwynd-Hayes is taken to a secret nightclub that serves as a rendezvous point for supernatural beings. The atmosphere is vibrant, filled with eclectic music and captivating performances, creating an exhilarating experience for the bewildered writer.
Tales of the Night
As the night unfolds, Eramus regales Chetwynd-Hayes with three chilling stories about fellow night creatures. These tales reveal the darker aspects of their existence and the complexities of their lives.
"The Shadmock" Begins
The first tale features Angela, a young woman in financial turmoil who takes a job at a secluded manor owned by Raven, the tragic Shadmock. Her attraction to him lies beneath a cloud of obligation and desperation for wealth.
Proposed Engagement
As Angela grows closer to Raven, he musters the courage to propose marriage, seeing it as a chance at happiness. However, Angela’s domineering boyfriend, George, manipulates her into accepting, choosing security over love.
The Engagement Party
During the engagement party, Angela's true intentions come to light when she is caught trying to rob Raven's safe. In a panic, she shatters Raven's heart by declaring her inability to love him.
The Shadmock's Heartbreak
Heartbroken and distraught, the Shadmock’s sorrowful whistle unleashes a horrifying transformation on Angela, causing her face to melt. This shocking moment terrifies George, leading him to madness and eventual institutionalization.
"The Vampires" Unfolds
The second tale revolves around Lintom Busotsky, a shy human boy from a peaceful vampire family. His secluded existence is shattered when he learns he's the target of vampire hunters and that his father has a dangerous past.
Hunter's Attack
The peace is disrupted when vampire hunters, led by a relentless figure, invade Lintom’s home. In a chaotic encounter, Lintom's father is ultimately staked, but a twist reveals he manages to bite the head hunter before his demise.
Faked Death
The chaos continues as Lintom's father fakes his own death, escaping the fate intended for him. His clever ruse involves sporting a vest filled with tomato ketchup, offering a bizarre sense of comedy amidst horror.
"The Humgoo" Encounter
The final story centers around an American film director's harrowing experience in Loughville, a village plagued by ghouls. His quest for refuge transforms into a nightmare as he encounters creatures waiting to feast on the deceased.
Chasing Monsters
As the director attempts to escape this cursed village, he meets Luna, a girl who straddles the line between human and ghoul. She desperately urges him to hide in the church, the only safe haven from the monstrous entities.
Tragic Turn
While seeking safety, a tragic twist occurs when Luna falls victim to the ghouls. This shocking event escalates the director's peril as he is ultimately captured by ghoul law enforcement.
Humanity's Cruelty
At the film's conclusion, Eramus reflects on the dark nature of humanity, sharing tales of humans' capacity for cruelty. He declares that humanity, in all its complexity, is indeed the most despicable of all monsters.
Characters
R. Chetwynd-Hayes (John Carradine)
Chetwynd-Hayes is portrayed as an unsuspecting author whose life takes a bizarre turn upon meeting the vampire Eramus. His journey into the world of monsters provides both a humorous and enlightening perspective on the nature of fear and curiosity.
Eramus (Vincent Price)
Eramus is a charming yet sinister vampire who introduces Chetwynd-Hayes to the secrets of the supernatural club. His charismatic nature masks a deeper understanding of human flaws, making him both an ally and a commentator on humanity’s disastrous traits.
Angela (Barbara Kellerman)
Angela's character grapples with conflicting desires, torn between her heart and societal expectations. Her evolution throughout the narrative reflects themes of greed and regret, ultimately leading to her tragic fate.
The Shadmock (James Laurenson)
The Shadmock, a tragic hybrid creature known for his haunting whistle, embodies the pain of unrequited love and the consequences of greed. His character adds depth to the notion of what it means to be both a monster and a victim.
Lintom Busotsky (Warren Saire)
Lintom is a shy boy caught between his vampire heritage and human challenges. His character arc explores themes of identity and the struggle for acceptance in a world that sees him as an outsider.
Luna (Lesley Dunlop)
Luna, a product of both ghoul and human lineage, represents the tragic fate of those caught in-between worlds. Her character embodies innocence and loss in the face of supernatural threats, making her a poignant figure in the narrative.
Setting
Time period
The movie takes place in a modern setting, highlighting contemporary issues through the lens of supernatural beings. This blend of present-day themes with fantasy elements allows a profound exploration of humanity's darker tendencies.
Location
London, Loughville
London serves as the bustling backdrop where the peculiar encounter between the author R. Chetwynd-Hayes and the vampire Eramus unfolds. In contrast, Loughville, a cursed village in Norfolk, is infamous for its malevolent ghouls and dark history, hidden away from the civilized world.
Themes
👹
Monstrous Nature
The film delves into the monstrous nature of humanity, showcasing how humans can embody the traits of the very creatures they fear. Through intertwining narratives, it illustrates the moral struggles and darker impulses that define both supernatural and human characters.
💔
Love and Betrayal
The theme of love intertwined with betrayal is prominent, especially in Angela's story with the Shadmock. Her feelings of obligation and deceit lead to tragic outcomes, emphasizing how personal relationships can turn sour under societal pressures.
🔪
Survival
Survival drives characters into desperate actions, illustrated by Lintom’s quest for belonging and the film director’s terrifying attempt to escape Loughville. It highlights the lengths beings, both human and supernatural, will go to protect themselves.
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