MORE MAD SCIENTISTS!

Besides the monsters themselves, one of the most well-used characters in monster movies is the mad scientist (aka mad doctor). It stands to reason as these maniacal men of science are many times the ones who are responsible for creating the monsters in the first place; the most famous example of course, is Doc Frankenstein, whose crazy idea to create a man out of pieces of corpses got him in some pretty hot water.

Uncountable other films have featured mad scientists, from the likes of Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, Basil Rathbone, Vincent Price, Lionel Atwill and dozens more. Even Forry Ackerman threw the switch in the lab to offer readers a glimpse at these crazy and oftentimes tragic personages. "Mad Labs" is from FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND #7 (June 1960) an "Son of Mad Labs" is from FM #10. (January 1961).

MAD SCIENTISTS!

A generation of fans have thrilled to this series of adaptations of their favorite monster movies published in a series of books by Crestwood House, Inc. A former imprint of Simon and Schuster, the series began in 1977 and ran until 1987.

Fondly remembered, a cult following has built up around the Mankato, Minnesota publisher as it was a touchstone of the 2nd Generation of Monster Kids. Access to these books was easy as many of the titles were found in the children's books section of the local public library.

The author for about a dozen of the earlier titles was one, Ian Thorne, a pseudonym used by author Julian Clare May (a.k.a. Julian May Dikty). Born in Chicago, Illinois on 10 July 1931, May is best known by science-fiction and fantasy fans for her Saga of the Pliocene Exile and Galactic Milieu series of books. To monster kids growing up in the late 70s, however, she was Ian Thorne, writer of monster books!

This is one of the editions known as the "Orange Series", when all the titles had orange front and back covers and spines. It is not a movie adaptation, but instead covers numerous movies featuring some of the most villainous mad scientists ever seen on the screen.

Read more Crestwood Books HERE.