THE 12 WORST MAKEUPS IN MONSTER MOVIE HISTORY

Over the years, one of the primary reasons for the popularity of our beloved monsters is their imaginative makeup. One only needs to invoke names like Jack Pierce, Roy Ashton, and Tom Savini and the mind will immediately conjure their great and enduring work.

But, along with these classic works of art, there have been plenty of stinkers as well. The online entertainment site, Looper, recently posted a list of some of them. I find it hard to disagree with any of the choices. Read on, and see for yourself.

The Worst Monster Makeup In Movie History

By Benjamin Falbo | October 4, 2021 | looper.com

Throughout the history of cinema there have been countless imaginative monsters and creepy creatures put on the big screen. We've been fortunate to see great monster costumes, from the minimalist designs of the original "Frankenstein" to Jeff Goldblum's sickening makeup in the remake of "The Fly." Even today, horror and sci-fi filmmakers are still crafting monsters of impressive quality on varying levels of budget.

But, for as long as there have been artfully crafted ghouls and goblins, there have been those that missed the mark. Cinema is littered with B-grade movies, big and small, with some of the silver screen's goofiest looking monsters. Whether it be because of the film's low budget, or a lack of materials, it received laughter as opposed to screams. From overdone designs that just went too far to costumes that might as well be bad Halloween costumes, here is just a small selection of the worst monster makeup in movie history.

1. Robot Monster (1953)

"Robot Monster" itself is an impressively cheesy film about earth having fallen to a race of hyper intelligent ape men. The only survivors are family and a scientist who have found a way to remain immune to their death rays.

Ro-Man is quite possibly one of B-cinema's most notably corny creations, and just by looking at him it's very clear why. The antagonist of the 1953 black and white 3D sci-fi turkey sports a space helmet on top of a gorilla's body. From the moment you lay eyes on Ro-Man you simply can't believe that someone actually greenlit his design. His comical appearance isn't helped by his extremely stilted and unintentionally goofy voice, which leads to several hilarious deliveries.

Ro-Man's legacy doesn't end with the film itself however, as various other characters in cinema history have carried a similar design. Minion from "Megamind," for examples, has a striking resemblance

2. From Hell It Came (1957)

This is an uninspired monster for an appropriately uninspired film, that being 1957s "From Hell It Came." Kimo, an island prince, is sentenced to death for murdering his father and is buried in a hollow tree trunk. However, due to the island's proximity to nuclear radiation, Kino is resurrected as a murderous tree monster.

The tree monster is a bark covered lump with arms and legs, complete with a permanently grumpy scowl. We aren't joking when we tell you that the tree's face never once moves or emotes during the entire film. A lack of emotion is quite fitting, considering that "From Hell It Came" is the textbook definition of a snore-fest. Whenever the tree monster isn't on screen, the film is awash with bad acting, uninspired cinematography and bland dialogue.

It's often wondered, if a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, would it make a sound? We feel the better question is, if a killer tree is on the loose, would it be exciting enough to care?

3. I Was a Teenage Frankenstein (1957)

The Frankenstein Monster has made hundreds of on-screen appearances throughout pop culture history and has sported many different looks. Some have been some of cinema's most memorable designs — such as Jack Pierce's legendary work on the 1931 Universal classic "Frankenstein". Not every on-screen appearance of the monster has been worthy of praise however, with some looking like third rate Halloween makeup. Case in point, his slapdash looking design from "I Was A Teenage Frankenstein." It's a crude looking creature assembled by Victor Frankenstein who is gathering parts while working as a guest lecturer.

The titular teenage Frankenstein's face looks like a mound of pockmarked silly putty with false teeth and a gag eyeball. Additionally, this version's wardrobe is equally lacking, as it's nothing more than a tight fitting shirt and bland pants. It honestly looks like an actor wearing a very uncomfortable dollar store Halloween mask. If you're going to dress as any version of Mary Shelley's famous creation, draw influence from anything but this.

4. The Cyclops (1957)

Cinema has been graced by many great looking cyclopes throughout pop culture history, such as "The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad." When done properly, the cyclops can be a menacing mythical creature used to test the resolve of mighty heroes. Sadly, that is far from the case with the creature presented in the 1957 stinker known as "The Cyclops." This film comes courtesy of Bert I. Gordon, a famous 50s filmmaker who specialized in the topic of gigantic menaces. Whether it's "The Amazing Colossal Man" or "Earth Vs. The Spider" Gordon thrived within the subgenre of gargantuan monsters.

Here, the Cyclops isn't a mythical creature, but a horrifically mutated test pilot being who is now on a rampage. The film is a four course meal of shlock, with the monster itself being a mostly naked 25-ft man with a melty face. The look of the Cyclops is a far cry from the standard depictions as it's actually a 25-ft tall man. His appearance is attributed to the radiation melting and disfiguring his face, leaving one mangled eye. On paper this sounds like a creative and potentially menacing creation — however, due to the film's budget, it sadly isn't.

5. The Alligator People (1959)

A newly married woman, in search of her missing husband, stumbles across a disturbing discovery. That being a mad scientist in the process of transforming people, her husband among them, into human-like Alligator hybrids. The poster for this film proudly displays the headline proclaiming the film as "Nerve shattering terror." Given that bold claim you have to wonder if the poster artist actually saw "The Alligator People" for themselves. If they had, that headline would more than likely read "Gut-busting hilarity" or "Complete laugh riot".

If you forced someone to draw some Alligator people, this is most likely what they'd think of on the spot. What should be a horrifying cross between reptile and man comes off as a costume for a school play. The Alligator people are nothing more than human actors wearing scaly body suits complete with inexpressive masks over their heads. The film itself is decently produced and performed, but is ultimately hindered by the design of its titular threat. If remade today, with modern effects and better presentation, it could make for a truly creative science fiction horror combo.

6. Creature From the Haunted Sea (1961)

If you are familiar with "Malcolm in the Middle" opening credits, you might've gotten a taste of this one. If you didn't know, that clip is actually taken from the 1961 B-movie stinker "Creature From the Haunted Sea". This is one of many cinematic oddities that came courtesy of the low budget filmmaking legend, Roger Corman.

The film starts off as a legitimate thriller concerning gambling, racketeering and theft, set during the intense Cuban Revolution. At the center of the conflict is the titular creature, a sentient play-doh glob with ping pong ball eyes. The film is included in the 2004 book, "Science Fiction and Fantasy Film Flashbacks," which says that the cast and crew "...had to do some deep concentration in order not to laugh when we saw it." It's noted that, in addition to ping pong balls, it was constructed from items such as Brillo pads and pipe cleaners.

Roger Corman was responsible for many ridiculous creations throughout his career, but this just might be his cheesy crescendo.

7. The Horror of Party Beach (1964)

A film with a title as stupid as "The Horror of Party Beach" most definitely needs an appropriately stupid monster. Human remains gathering moss under the water by a local beach are exposed to a toxic chemical which mutates them. What results from this is what we can assume was supposed to be a horrifying amphibious mutant creature.

We say it was "supposed to be" because this creature looks like it'd fit in better on "The Muppet Show." The creature, upon awakening, storms the beach and begins menacing a beach party headlined by The Del Aires. However, once in full daylight, the suit's various flaws are made even clearer, including sausage links dangling from its mouth. It's for these legendarily bad effects that the film found itself among the stinkers chosen for "Mystery Science Theater 3000." "The Horror of Party Beach" has been fairly touted as one of the worst films of all time. That said, it is honestly endearing for just how cornball it is, which is due mostly to the monster's design.

8. Octaman (1971)

Honestly, with a name as blunt and to the point as "Octaman," what would you really be expecting? It's bizarre to think that a film of this B-grade caliber was directed by Harry Essex of all people. Essex was the writer and co-writer of several memorable monster movies, most notably "Creature from the Black Lagoon." But while Gillman, the film's main menace, has become one of horror's most beloved figures, Octaman most certainly has not. The film follows an intrepid expedition team who, while studying a remote fishing community, discover a vicious humanoid octopus monster.

Octaman is a preposterous looking hybrid of man and octopus which contains two legs, multiple tendrils and a sucker mouth. It looks like a mascot for a squid-based snack food, and it's just as hilarious as you might think. Much like the most memorably bad B-movies, "Octaman" takes itself very seriously, which only serves to heighten the hilarity. In recent years the film has developed a cult following, helped in part by its inclusion on Rifftrax.

9. Blood Freak (1972)

Somehow a killer chicken man isn't the most preposterous thing we've recounted so far. A war veteran turned drug addict, Herschel, is transformed after eating chemically altered turkey meat. He becomes a combination of flesh and feathers, a horrific human chicken hybrid who has acquired a taste for blood. "Blood Freak" has the distinction of being one of two killer chicken movies within the world of B-movie horror. The other film within that extremely specific niche is Troma Films' "Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead." In a rare twist of fate it is actually the Troma film with more style and substance in its presentation. 

"Blood Freak" almost feels like a parody of bad movies you'd see used for comedic effect in another horror movie. Nowhere is that made any clearer than in the design of the chicken monster, which is laughably bush league. The lead is forced into wearing an over the head mask that looks about as cumbersome as a mascot head. Complete with two unflinching eyes that look about as convincing as two spray painted foam balls can.

10. Night of the Demon (1983)

For as little evidence as we have for Bigfoot's real life existence, we certainly have plenty of cinematic evidence of his popularity. The enigmatic urban legend has been the subject of various horror films, most notably "The Legend of Boggy Creek." Additionally, he has made appearances in various family films such as "Harry and the Hendersons" and "A Goofy Movie".

Sadly, "Night of the Demon" is one of the weakest entries to Bigfoot's cinematic canon. That lack of quality is most definitely reflected in the design of the film's take on the mythic Sasquatch. We are treated to a Bigfoot who looks more like someone falling asleep while wearing a cheap Chewbacca costume. The outfit is nothing more than a man in mud like makeup, false teeth, and a discount wig. This Bigfoot is unique, not only for its subpar appearance, but for its level of violence as well. Throughout the film, Bigfoot piles up an ample body count in gruesome fashion.

11. Rawhead Rex (1986)

Clive Barker is one of the most inventive minds in horror. Barker has scribed the original source material for some of the genre's most memorable monsters, such as Pinhead from "Hellraiser." Add the basis for "Candyman" to that resume and it's clear why Barker's work is held in such high regard. Sadly, not everyone bats a thousand all of the time, and "Rawhead Rex" is definitely the red headed stepchild of Barker's filmography.

Barker's original story, from "Books of Blood, Vol. 3", focuses on the rampage of a pagan god on an Irish countryside. The film adaptation is brought down mostly due to the design of the titular monster, which is remarkably goofy. Rex has a face similar to one of the Gorgonites from "Small Soldiers" with teeth more befitting a "Goosebumps" monster. Add to that hair and wardrobe that would be more at home in an 80s leather bar. While the 1980s were a golden age for practical monster special effects, "Rawhead Rex" most definitely not among the best.

12. Troll 2 (1990)

If you look up the worst films ever made, there is a good chance "Troll 2" will be on the list. The infamous 1990 flop has been, not unfairly, cited as one of the worst movies of all time. The film is notorious for many reasons — not the least of which being its performances and its ridiculous editing. But what most tend to remember, aside from the infamous "Oh My God" scene, are the horrendous special effects.

First of all, the titular trolls aren't actually trolls: they are referred to as Goblins within the film. The trolls all have permanent frumpy or mean looking faces, with beady little eyes and slime dripping from their mouths. They appear to be nothing more than crude over the head masks plopped on top of a herd of pint sized actors. These special effects are truly the cherry on top of a legendary miscalculation of a horror film.

However, its infamous status has garnered it an immense cult following who are quite fond of the 90s disaster. This fandom is given much more exposure in "Best Worst Movie," a documentary which catches up with the cast and crew. It goes to show that even if your monster movie doesn't hit the mark, someone out there will appreciate it.