The Monster Club (1981) Review

The Monster Club (1981) Review

Pausing to admire a window display of his own books, the distinguished horror writer Ronald Chetwynd-Hayes is attacked by a desperate vampire, Eramus, faint from lack of sustenance. Assuring the startled victim that his neck bite was not deep enough to bring him into the fold, the grateful vampire takes him to the Monster Club, where all his friends foregather.

The rich selection of vampires, werewolves, snakemen, wasp-women, ghouls and other weird creatures enjoying themselves to the happy beat of pop music offers plenty of new material for the author. In addition, Eramus explains to Ronald the hierarchy and basic rules of Monsterdom and illustrates his theme with three unusual tales…

British horror anthology THE MONSTER CLUB was the final movie to be released by production company Amicus, who excelled at producing top-drawer anthologies in the Seventies. It was also the final feature film to be directed by Roy Ward Baker. Based on the works of British horror writer R. Chetwynd-Hayes it was both a financial and critical flop upon its release.

Crammed full of in-references to Amicus’ glorious past feature film output, along dodgy costumes and the titular drinking establishment teaming with dodgy costumes, dodgy creature masks and even dodgier songs playing out in the background, this is a mixed bag, but it’s a mixed bag that’s worth delving into.

Any film that boasts such a cast list – Vincent Price, John Carradine, Donald Pleasence, Britt Ekland and Simon Ward – can’t be all bad, and for the most part it makes for a delightful slice of horror nostalgia. It kicks off strongly with the creepy, atmospheric The Shadmock before sagging with the middling The Vampires, then fortunately rising again with the Stuart Whitman starring The Ghouls. Admittedly some of the humour falls flat and a couple of the songs suck but there’s still plenty that makes this worth you checking out, if you haven’t seen it already.