I'm looking for films from the 50s through the 80s that are A) actual MONSTER movies in the classic sense, and B) available on DVD. If it's an American or Japanese or Japanese monster, I've probably seen it (although there are a few exceptions I'm trying to track down, like HALF-HUMAN and THE CRAWLING EYE). My knowledge of European and Latin American cinematic monsters is far less extensive. I'd post this to the EuroCult board, but note the "and Latin American" part of the previous sentence.

As far as Mexi-Monsters go, I've seen THE CURSE OF THE CRYING WOMAN and THE BRAINIAC, but little else except for the Santo and Aztec Mummy episodes of MST3K.

Vampires are of course Monsters, but for my current purposes, I'm only interested in grotesque looking ones, not the sexy or handsome variety.

Monsters from parts of Asia other than Japan are also welcome.

Suggestions?

Bollywood Horror Collection, Vol. 1 (BANDH DARWAZA/PURANA)
Bollywood Horror Collection, Vol. 3(VEERANA/PURANI HAVELI)
Bollywood Horror Collection, Vol. 3(MAHAKAAL/TAHKHANA)

MYSTICS IN BALI (Indonesia)
THUNDER COPS (OPERATION PINK SQUAD 2) (HK)
POSSESSED/POSSESSED 2 (HK)
GHOST SNATCHERS (HK)
MR VAMPIRE (HK)
EVIL CAT (HK)
OILY MANIAC (HK)
SNAKER (THAI)
GARUDA (Thai)
BODY JUMPER (Thai)
SARS WARS (Thai)
KRASUE (Thai)

I think these mostly fall under your criteria.

I'm gong to include A CHINESE GHOST STORY 1-3 even though they're not precisely monster movies in the sense your looking for, but there are monsters in all three.

If you've never seen any Paul Naschy films, I would recommend:

-HORROR RISES FROM THE TOMB
-WEREWOLF'S SHADOW
-HUNCHBACK OF THE MORGUE (coming from MYA next month)

Also, from Russia I would recommend 1967's THE VIJ (aka VIY, SPIRIT OF EVIL), a story about a priest who has to confront a ghost/witch while locked in a church.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062453/

HORROR EXPRESS
BLOOD BEAST TERROR
X-THE UNKNOWN
QUATERMASS XPERIMENT
ISLAND OF TERROR
ISLAND OF THE BURNING DOOM
THE SKULL
THE NIGHTMARE MAN
THE REPTILE
THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN
THE REVENGE OF FRANKENSTEIN
THE EVIL OF FRANKENSTEIN
FRANKENSTEIN CREATED WOMAN
FRANKENSTEIN MUST BE DESTROYED
THE HORROR OF FRANKENSTEIN
FRANKENSTEIN AND THE MONSTER FROM HELL
ATOMIK CIRCUS (FR)

I'm lumping in Britain with Europe since you don't mention it.

Good suggestions, although I'd meant to mention Britain, as I've seen most (but not all) of the U.K. monsters. And if it's a classic Hong Kong movie, like A CHINESE GHOST story, I've probably seen it (although I've missed some of the more outrageous stuff, aside from the wonderful SEVENTH CURSE).

How about Filipino recommendations? I've seen BRIDES OF BLOOD and (as a kid) TERROR IS A MAN, but that's about it.

William, do you rate WEREWOLF'S SHADOW over RETURN OF THE WOLFMAN? And if so, what's the best DVD?

Try TWILIGHT PEOPLE (1973), a Filipino variation on "Island of Dr. Moreau." Directed by Eddie Romero, with a cast headed by five Americans, John Ashley (who else?), Pat Woodell, Jan Merlin, Charles Macaulay (Dracula in BLACULA), and...drum roll please...Pam Grier as the Panther Woman.
I saw it on late-night TV decades ago, and I remember it being pretty cheesy, but how wrong can you go with early Pam Grier? (Despite the '73 release date, I'm guessing it was made much closer to her BIG DOLL HOUSE days than her COFFY/FOXY BROWN period.)

Actually, Grier is not in TWILIGHT PEOPLE much and I don't think even has any dialogue. It's not really among the best of its ilk, but I would recommend John Ashley's Blood Island trilogy of BRIDES OF BLOOD, MAD DOCTOR OF BLOOD ISLAND, and BEAST OF BLOOD (a direct sequel to MAD DOCTOR). None are especially great, but are probably the best of the Hemisphere/Dimension/AIP/New World Filipino horror flicks, like BEAST OF THE YELLOW NIGHT and the awful BLACK MAMBA.

THE TWILIGHT PEOPLE first hit theaters in March of '72. Grier did this one and THE BIG DOLL HOUSE during her first trip to the Philippines.

I do rank WEREWOLF'S SHADOW over RETURN OF THE WOLFMAN because it is the first Waldemar film I saw. Plus, I think director Leon Klimovsky does a fantastic job with the slo-mo and atmosphere. I think the BCI version is the best one to have as you can watch it in Spanish with subs.

I wouldn't bet the farm on that. You should've phrased it "Coming from MYA next month?"

Back to the topic...since Will brought up Naschy, I highly recommend THE NIGHT OF THE WEREWOLF (1980), which got a belated US theatrical release in 1985 as THE CRAVING. I'm not as big on Naschy as others around here, but I really like this one.

While searching for info on former Miss Mexico Ana Bertha Lepe, I chanced upon the 1959 Mexi-monster gem LA NAVE DE LOS MONSTRUOS.
Ian, you owe it to yourself to see this film, which has just recently been given an official dvd release by Lionsgate (been in circulation for years in pirated vhs copies). There are no subtitles on the Lionsgate release, but for me that only enhances its B-movie mystique.
Here's a decent write-up with pictures and a link to a GREAT Youtube clip.