Dom's B-Movie Round-Up Issue #1

This 1956 Yeti romp isn't as worthless as one might think. Granted, it's no a-movie, but for a schlocky divertissement that only runs for an hour, it's mildly entertaining. This was cult director Jerry Warren's first foray into low-grade cinema. He would later go on to helm dyslexic favorites such as "The Wild World of Batwoman" and "Frankenstein Island." "Man Beast" is regarded as his most accomplished mischance of a movie. Make of that what you will. The plot concerns an expedition in the Himalayas that is blitzed by abominable snowmen. Are they human? Are they mere beasts? Could it be that they are MAN BEASTS????

The best Yeti film out there would have to be Hammer's "The Abominable Snowman." It's classy, suspenseful, and intellectual. "Man Beast" is none of those things, but it's pretty damn fun. The creature suits are rad (yes, rad), and the Arctic varmints pop up when you least expect them to. They have a surprisingly intimidating presence, although they aren't graced with nearly enough screen time. The amateurish acting is digestible. I was drawn to the cute, clueless Virginia Maynor. She had an atypical look for a 50's actress, and her character is more assertive than most b-movie heroines. Her male co-stars...well, they're not cute, so I didn't care about them.

The twist ending is effective. I didn't see it coming, although the climax could have been more climactic. I wasn't affronted by this flick's shortcomings since I wasn't expecting high art. If you see "Man Beast" lying recumbent in a discount bin, take pity on the cheese sandwich and pick it up.

Grotesque