“Each generation gets the monster it deserves. The Depression era received King Kong. The Atomic Age got Godzilla. The 1980s saw a mob of faceless, personality-vacant slasher killers dominate the screens. And the 1990s saw the rise of intellectually brilliant sociopaths like Hannibal Lecter charm audiences. In the Bush era — an age of rampant stupidity, greed, open political corruption, illegal wars, and religious/political demagoguery — we get Daniel Plainview.” — Derek Hill.

I would add that the ’40s got The Invisible Man and Val Lewton‘s catwomen and zombies. Who/what was the reigning monster figure of the ’60s and ’70s? This needs to be kicked around.