MAN-MADE MONSTER (Universal, 1941), directed by George Waggner, could have been the subtitle to the earlier Universal horror success of FRANKENSTEIN (1931) about the title character and his monster creation. Based on the original story "The Electric Man," which should have been its title instead, the film in general in often overlooked among the horror/science fiction genre made famous by Universal. For its new decade of the 1940s, the studio produced further sequels to its earlier successes for DRACULA (1931), FRANKENSTEIN (1931), THE MUMMY (1932), and THE INVISIBLE MAN (1933), often starring different actors. MAN-MADE MONSTER not only has the distinction of being an original premise with no further sequels to follow, but an introduction to the horror cycle for Lon Chaney Jr. before achieving further establishment later that year as THE WOLF MAN (1941). With The Wolf Man being Chaney's most famous horror character, replayed again in further sequels, his MAN-MADE MONSTER ranks one of his better of the second feature productions, even though star billing goes to Lionel Atwill in a secondary role.The story opens with a bus traveling down the road, only to minutes later meet with an accident crashing into an electrical tower, killing all its passengers except for one, Dan McCormick (Lon Chaney Jr.). Recuperating in a hospital, this good-natured young man's survival has stumped many, including reporters and doctors. It so happens that Dan's profession happens to be as an electric man in side shows and carnivals, and that he possibly has this special immunity towards electricity. Doctor John Lawrence (Samuel S. Hinds), an electric-biologist, invites Dan to his home to study him while conducting experiments along with his associate, Doctor Paul Rigas (Lionel Atwill). Also at the Moors estate is Lawrence's niece, June (Anne Nagel), who becomes interested in Dan. As Dan makes himself at home, even to a point of bonding favorably with the family dog, Corky, Dan subjects himself to experiments during Lawrence's absence at a medical convention under Rigas. Rigas then takes it upon himself to strap Don on a laboratory table to do more than instructed by Lawrence. Placing more electricity than his body can handle, Dan's cheerful personality changes to depression, even to the point of aging. Becoming an electric man with super human strength, Dan unwittingly kills Lawrence under Rigas' orders. It is Rigas who labels Dan insane to the authorities, leading to his trial and sentence to die in an electric chair. Further shocking developments follow. Also in the cast are Frank Albertson (Mark Adams, reporter for the Glove Dispatch); William B. Davidson (Ralph D. Stanley, district attorney); and Russell Hicks (Warden Warren Harris). Although veteran character actor, Byron Foulger, is listed in the cast, his scenes are not visible in the final print.As much as MAN-MADE MONSTER belongs to young Chaney, Lionel Atwill, who specialized playing mad doctors in the past, does so once more in this production, with certain scenes opposite Anne Nagel reminiscent to those he did opposite Fay Wray in both MYSTERY OF THE WAX MUSEUM (1933) and THE VAMPIRE BAT (1933). The electrical special effects used for Chaney are first-rate, along with mood underscoring most familiar in many Universal-horror productions. The film in general offers some light touches, especially Chaney's early scenes involving Corky, and some brief romantic interest between its co-stars of Frank Albertson and Anne Nagel that doesn't get in the way of the story. While some sources label MAN-MADE MONSTER at 64 minutes, circulating prints, ranging from broadcast (like Shock Theater - how appropriate!) to cable television (Sci-Fi Channel in the 1990s), to video cassette to DVD process, clock at 59 minutes. It moves swiftly at fast-pace rate, especially towards the finish, thanks to Chaney's high voltage performance as the electric man. (**1/2 volts)

I watched this film for the first time just now, with my wife. My wife was very, VERY interested in this film, it was a good thing. I'm a Horror Host TV show fan and the MeTV host Svengoolie had it so I DVR'd it. You must not watch this stuff live, way too many commercials, lol. A comment on having any horror host on TV is I appreciate it but I wish there was a 24/7 Horror host channel, that would be cool. And as far as Svengoolie segments are concerned I thought they were really good and my wife actually laughed almost every segment which I was amazed with since she hates MST3K which is my favorite (and Mr. Lobo), she doesn't pay much attention, lol.It's funny that I watched Lon Chaney's last film Dracula vs Frankenstein (highly recommended!) and watched his many low budget films before this but never watched his first horror film! Love you Lon! And also Lionel Atwill good too! So, back to the film. Actually really, really good. I'm shocked that I'm in my 50's and never saw this before. Awesome horror film. Very stereotyped with the classes and a really silly ending as far as the girl in peril thing. Also, they do not show Lon, now the monster, killing all the people as he BREAKS OUT OF PRISON! It's sad but I'm still a fan of this film, a big fan now. 7 of 10, watch on a horror host show for more fun though.

"Dynamo Dan, the Electric Man" (Lon Chaney, Jr.) survives being electrocuted and attracts the interest of two scientists. The first is genial Dr. John Lawrence (Samuel S. Hinds), who wants to study Dan to see if there's anything about his physiology that would allow him to survive what others couldn't. The second is nefarious Dr. Paul Rigas (Lionel Atwill), who wants to turn Dan into a sort of electro-zombie. Given this is a horror movie, guess which one wins out? Lon Chaney Jr.'s first horror film. He plays a sympathetic character, as he would so often. Samuel S. Hinds and Anne Nagel offer fine support. Jack Albertson is a little irritating but it's a poor part only included in the movie to fulfill the prerequisite for a romantic subplot most of these films had. The true star of the picture is the great Lionel Atwill as the mad scientist. Atwill is a horror legend and hams it up with glee, particularly in his confrontation with Nagel towards the end. This is a good little B sci-fi/horror movie from Universal. Fans of Chaney, Atwill, or Universal horror films in general will undoubtedly like it more than most.

That's what reporter Frank Albertson says to ingenue Anne Nagel when she makes suspicious comments about her scientist Uncle's partner Lionel Atwill. Taking over where the kindly Samuel S. Hinds started, Atwill is experimenting on electricity with car accident victim Lon Chaney Jr., who was the only one of five not to be killed when the car he was in came into contact with live wires. Atwill has issues with man's mediocrity, and believes his experiments are a way to improve mankind. In short, a mad scientist of the largest order, and danger to Chaney, the romantic leads, and Nagel's kindly uncle (Samuel S. Hinds), who happens to be his partner. Chaney soon has more electricity running through his body than Southern California Edison, and becomes a walking death ray.This is a strange little "B" science fiction film, from Universal's second string of horror movies, not nearly as good as the first string ("Dracula", "Frankenstein", "The Mummy", etc.). Atwill is a modern day Shakespearean villain, seemingly well intended, but filled with evil. There are many moments of melodramatic silliness, but it's basically very entertaining overall. Chaney is one of the most one dimensional of all horror actors. Every hint of vulnerability out of him (overdone in the screenplay) seems forced. He even lacks the camp quality in the serious portrayals by the masters of early talkie movie horror-Karloff, Lugosi, and England's Tod Slaughter.