Nope, it's Oscar-winning makeup maestro RICK BAKER in a stunning recreation of Bela's famous broken-necked graverobber ("err...they said") from SON OF FRANKENSTEIN!
Not only is this a tribute to the great Lugosi, but also to master monster-makeup pioneer Jack Pierce, one of Rick's main inspirations in the business. Pierce's legendary creations for Universal Pictures in the 30s and 40s also include the Frankenstein Monster, Dracula, the Wolf Man, the Mummy, and the Werewolf of London. His "Ygor" makeup contributed to what is considered to be one of Bela's finest performances.
Rick's work, of course, can be seen in such films as AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON, MEN IN BLACK, THE NUTTY PROFESSOR (1996), VIDEODROME, and Michael Jackson's THRILLER, among countless others. He also helped transform Martin Landau into Bela Lugosi for Tim Burton's ED WOOD.
Now, seventy years after SON OF FRANKENSTEIN, Rick Baker uses his skills to bring Ygor back to life to terrorize the countryside again. Or, perhaps--to audition as the new frontman for Jethro Tull!
(Thanks to Rick Baker for the use of the photos and kudos to Ted Newsom for the cool photoshopped background in the second one.)
Superb work for Mr. Baker and his inspiration, Jack Pierce. Bravo!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, these photos are being posted on social media sites such as Facebook with the label "newly found photos" of Bela as Ygor.
ReplyDeleteYes, I've seen a couple of those posts over the years!
ReplyDelete