Movies have become a hub for artists to express themselves in ways that touch millions and millions over decades. Because of this, many actors and actresses have become household names thanks to the characters they’ve brought to life. One of the best examples of this is Clint Eastwood, best known for his roles in countless Westerns. But like many other famous actors, he actually got his start in the horror genre with Universal’s Classic Monsters.
The classic monsters Universal Pictures introduced ranged from icons like Dracula and Frankenstein’s Monster to more niche creations like The Invisible Man and The Wolf Man. And these movies affected the industry as a whole, bringing a shared universe together long before properties like the Marvel Cinematic Universe. They even gave a young actor like Clint Eastwood a chance.
Clint Eastwood Has an Impressive Filmography
Eastwood is an impressive actor who, before he branched out to other genres and professions, was best known for his role as The Man with No Name in movies like A Fistful of Dollars and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. He was a character of few words who used his gun to do most of the talking as he protected innocents in the Wild West. But as he took a break from Westerns, Eastwood moved on to the Dirty Harry franchise, where he played a no-nonsense cop who let his gun do the talking. Dirty Harry was a famous franchise that spawned many sequels and introduced him to the larger genre of crime movies.
Aside from acting, Eastwood also tried his hand at directing to great effect as he’s created many award-winning pictures. However, his directorial debut was a great nod to the horror industry with Play Misty for Me, a thriller about a radio DJ stalked by an obsessive fan. But after his first movie, Eastwood continued to perfect his craft with entries like Flags of Our Fathers, Gran Torino and Jersey Boys. While they were all quality pictures, they represented Eastwood’s ability to explore different franchises outside of his wheelhouse. That said, none of this would be possible had it not been for the chance Universal Pictures took on Eastwood.
Clint Eastwood’s Time at Universal Redefined Monster Movies
Universal’s Classic Monsters have covered many different subgenres in horror. From ideas of murder and torture in The Black Cat to the introduction of creature features in Creature From the Black Lagoon, Universal showed that anything was possible with the right story. But the Creature franchise was a true turning point, as it marked the melding of science and horror taking the front seat in the genre. In the past, these monster movies embraced classic horror literature to tell exciting stories. But as the ’50s approached, the atomic age offered a more tangible terror that led to films about massive creatures and mutated humans.
Revenge of the Creature was the follow-up to Creature From the Black Lagoon and explored what happened when the Creature was taken from his home and brought to civilization. For a brief moment, the movie’s main character met with a young scientist about a missing mouse, and audiences were introduced to Clint Eastwood in his first role, though it was uncredited. While the scene was small in relation to the whole picture, it was substantial enough to see a glimpse at Eastwood’s acting style as he made sure his lines were clear and concise. But it also showed a range of emotions, from defensive to humorous, as the missing mouse wasn’t eaten by a cat but in his pocket all along.
Eastwood’s fourth role was in another Universal horror picture that has since become its most famous creature feature, Tarantula. The movie’s premise explored what happened when a massive tarantula escaped and grew to an incredible size. It grew so large, in fact, that the military had to be called in to stop it. This was where Eastwood appeared in yet another uncredited role as a jet squadron leader that tried to kill the creature. Though short, it focused on one of the actor’s most prominent features — his squinted eyes. As a result, even now, people would likely question whether or not Eastwood actually appeared in the creature feature and why such a famous name would take such a small role.
Clint Eastwood’s Cameos Are Enough to Revisit These Forgotten Movies
Universal Pictures never forgot about its ties to Eastwood and how he played a small role in its iconic horror movies. Even the Western-themed Back to the Future Part III had Marty McFly walk past posters of Revenge of the Creature and Tarantula as a nod to Eastwood. However, this has been the only nod to the actor’s past, and it’s such a small scene that no one, aside from movie fans, would even realize. With not much being explored regarding the actor’s past in these horror movies, the best way to keep this secretive era alive has been solely through word of mouth. But that may be the best way to keep these movies alive, as well as Eastwood’s small but incredibly surprising roles.
Revenge of the Creature may not be the most beloved of the franchise, but it’s one that played a large role in the tragic tale of the Gill-Man. However, Tarantula had its own place in the pantheon of classic creature features, and even those who never saw the movie would recognize its imagery. As a result, these pictures deserve a chance to be seen by current and future generations, and even if the draw is to see an up-and-coming Clint Eastwood in his earliest features, it’s more than worth a watch. Plus, it’s always a surprise to reveal a famous actor in a movie that seems like a virtual impossibility for them to star in today.