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Post by johnnypt on Oct 7, 2022 14:39:52 GMT -5
Murders in the Rue Morgue (1932) - Robert Florey, having not directed Frankenstein, set his sights on this Poe-inspired production as a chance for redemption. Bela Lugosi, having not played the Frankenstein Monster, saw the role of Dr. Mirakle as his chance for redemption. The results are very mixed, but still fascinating.
The not-so-good is that this suffers from one of the problems that plagued the early Universals: sappy romantic interludes. First-billed Sydney Fox features prominently in these. The good is that it has all the advantages of having been made before the Production Code came down. Being pre-Code, this one has saucy material like dancing girls and a glimpse of Sydney Fox's nipples, as well a shocking, sacreligious murder of a crucified prostitute by Mirakle that ranks among the best scenes of 1930s Horror. Everything else in the film labors in the shadow of that scene. Lots of great expressionistic cinematography courtesy of Karl Freund. Oh, and Dr. Mirakle's ape Erik is played by frequent Hollywood ape-actor Charles Gemora, who also played the gorilla in The Monster and the Girl.
This movie also shows evidence of re-editing that create a number of strange narrative problems. As Gregory Mank points out in his commentary, the theatrical order of events is puzzling: Mirakle sets his sights on Camille . . . only to hunt a completely different woman first, before going after Camille. Evidence suggests that the murder originally came first. The re-ordered version created a few years ago is available on a different Blu-Ray release, but sadly not this one. It doesn't solve the lovey-dovey stuff, but it would certainly help. A minor, though interesting, Universal Horror.
Next time: Play A Dangerous Game
Here's my review from when the Lugosi set first came out MURDERS IN THE RUE MORGUE (1932)-The first three movies on the disc (all on side one) are based on the tales of Edgar Allan Poe…loosely based to be sure. This one follows the original story the closest, which is to say not much at all. There are murders in Paris on the Rue Morgue and they’re committed by the same assailant Poe had. There’s also a Dupin character, though not literature’s first great detective, but the usual hero, who seems totally incapable during times of trouble, played by Leon Waycoff, who soon decided Waycoff was too long and changed his name to Ames. Lugosi’s a doctor capturing pretty women for Lord knows what kind of weird experiments, and his henchman…if you don’t know I won’t tell you. Some interesting camera work here, specifically when director Robert Florey attaches a camera to the end of a swing. Not great filmmaking but it is different. |
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Post by almuric on Oct 8, 2022 18:34:52 GMT -5
Speaking of that certain film that takes place in a jungle, when I watching the climax of Rue Morgue, with a gorilla carrying a woman up a tall building, I had a feeling of deja vu, though an audience back then certainly wouldn't have.
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Post by johnnypt on Oct 8, 2022 19:29:01 GMT -5
Speaking of that certain film that takes place in a jungle, when I watching the climax of Rue Morgue, with a gorilla carrying a woman up a tall building, I had a feeling of deja vu, though an audience back then certainly wouldn't have. Not deja vu but a premonition :-) |
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Post by almuric on Oct 9, 2022 10:26:40 GMT -5
The Devil-Doll (1936) - What do you get when Tod Browning directs a script adapted from an Abraham Merritt novel by Guy Endore? A very strange movie. Paul Lavond (Lionel Barrymore), who was framed by his business associates, escapes from prison with a scientist (Henry Walthall) who has discovered a means of shrinking people into mindless dolls six inches tall. After the scientist dies, his widow-assistant Malita (Rafaela Ottiano as a rare '30s female mad scientist) helps Lavond, now disguised in drag like a vengeful Mrs. Doubtfire, hatch his elaborate plan for puppet vengeance. Maureen O'Sullivan, taking a break from the Mutia Escarpment, plays Lavond's daughter.
Is it Horror? Science-Fiction? A touching melodrama about a wrongly-convicted man reconciling with his daughter? Yes! This is such an oddball concoction, not helped that it takes place in a "Paris" which is as French as Vasaria is German. The miniaturization effects are good for the time, but the diabolical dolls are disposed of almost ten minutes before the movie ends so we can have a heartwarming scene between Lavond and his daughter. A puzzling movie, even by Browning's standards.
Next time: The Bells Are Ringing
(EDITED)
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Post by johnnypt on Oct 9, 2022 12:06:34 GMT -5
It was actually Lionel, though John at this point in his life may have been a better fit. Here's my review from days gone by
THE DEVIL DOLL (1936)-Browning’s back with Lionel Barrymore (who was also in Mark of the Vampire) as an escaped convict out for revenge. He meets up with a kooky doctor who’s found a way to shrink people. Barrymore disguises himself as an old lady and sells the dolls to his former gang to exact said revenge. Odd little movie, fairly decent special effects. Sort of the antecedent to Chucky in some ways.
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Post by almuric on Oct 9, 2022 16:09:57 GMT -5
It was actually Lionel, though John at this point in his life may have been a better fit. Here's my review from days gone by THE DEVIL DOLL (1936)-Browning’s back with Lionel Barrymore (who was also in Mark of the Vampire) as an escaped convict out for revenge. He meets up with a kooky doctor who’s found a way to shrink people. Barrymore disguises himself as an old lady and sells the dolls to his former gang to exact said revenge. Odd little movie, fairly decent special effects. Sort of the antecedent to Chucky in some ways. Fixed that. At least I didn't get him mixed up with Drew Barrymore . . . |
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Post by johnnypt on Oct 9, 2022 20:41:26 GMT -5
It was actually Lionel, though John at this point in his life may have been a better fit. Here's my review from days gone by THE DEVIL DOLL (1936)-Browning’s back with Lionel Barrymore (who was also in Mark of the Vampire) as an escaped convict out for revenge. He meets up with a kooky doctor who’s found a way to shrink people. Barrymore disguises himself as an old lady and sells the dolls to his former gang to exact said revenge. Odd little movie, fairly decent special effects. Sort of the antecedent to Chucky in some ways. Fixed that. At least I didn't get him mixed up with Drew Barrymore . . . When he dressed up in drag, they could’ve brought Ethel in. |
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Post by almuric on Oct 13, 2022 10:39:17 GMT -5
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939) - Lon Chaney Sr.'s silent version was a massive hit the previous decade, so, in true Hollywood fashion, they wanted to remake it a decade later. Over the years, Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre and Fredric March were all considered for the role of Quasimodo. Lon Chaney Jr. screentested for it. But in the end it went to Charles Laughton. He does an amazing job buried under the heavy makeup with very little dialogue, at least in the first half. That role must have been exhausting. Maureen O'Hara plays the Gypsy Esmeralda with a mix of innocence and sex appeal.
You get used to low budget Horror movies and then you watch something like this, where the opening scenes have more extras than most monster movie series put together and it's a shock. The lavish recreation of 17th century Paris is something to behold, from the titular cathedral to the "Court of Miracles", which wouldn't be out of place in a Fantasy novel. George Zucco plays a small part and Rondo Hatton was in it somewhere but I missed him. Also there's some guy named Fritz Leiber. Whatever happened to him?
Next time: I Can't Believe It's Not Universal!
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Post by johnnypt on Oct 13, 2022 11:12:14 GMT -5
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939) - Lon Chaney Sr.'s silent version was a massive hit the previous decade, so, in true Hollywood fashion, they wanted to remake it a decade later. Over the years, Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre and Fredric March were all considered for the role of Quasimodo. Lon Chaney Jr. screentested for it. But in the end it went to Charles Laughton. He does an amazing job buried under the heavy makeup with very little dialogue, at least in the first half. That role must have been exhausting. Maureen O'Hara plays the Gypsy Esmeralda with a mix of innocence and sex appeal.
You get used to low budget Horror movies and then you watch something like this, where the opening scenes have more extras than most monster movie series put together and it's a shock. The lavish recreation of 17th century Paris is something to behold, from the titular cathedral to the "Court of Miracles", which wouldn't be out of place in a Fantasy novel. George Zucco plays a small part and Rondo Hatton was in it somewhere but I missed him. Also there's some guy named Fritz Leiber. Whatever happened to him?
Next time: I Can't Believe It's Not Universal!
Rondo was in the section where the guys are putting their heads through the hole, just before Quasimodo. It's also in Thomas Mitchell's big 5 of 1939. Oh and it's not THAT Fritz  RKO really went all out for this one. They even went for the "happy" ending. Gina Lollabrigida, Anthonys Quinn and Hopkins didn't make out so well in the remakes, then everyone's sort of reverted back to this one as the template. |
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Post by almuric on Oct 14, 2022 16:54:53 GMT -5
Return of the Vampire (1943) - OK, I briefly covered this one years ago but that was from memory and now that I've seen it again it's time to take a fresh look at it. The '40s weren't a great time for Bela Lugosi. Universal was wasting him and it was only on Poverty Row that he had a chance to shine, until Columbia decided to get a piece of the Universal Horror pie. Originally conceived as a straight-up sequel to Dracula (the novel), Universal's lawyers put the kibosh on it, this follows the playbook pretty closely, down to the foggy cemetaries and the casting of Lugosi as Armand Tesla who is deniably different than a certain Count. To complete the faux-Universal sheen, there's even a wolf-man named Andreas played by a very Chaney-esque Matt Willis who is a bit too American for a guy with an Eastern European name. Mind you, Chaney Jr. was supposed to be the son of an English lord . . .
The vampire tropes are pretty familiar even for the early '40s, but they're well-executed, with a fine Frieda Inescort as the female Van Helsing stand-in. One big difference from the template is the acknowledgement of WW2. Most Universal Horrors ignored the war (though the Sherlock Holmes series was another matter), but here the Blitz plays a major role in kickstarting the plot and provides an intriguing backdrop for the supernatural evils. All in all, a worthwhile classic vampire movie. The recent Blu-Ray has three commentaries, each covering different aspects of the film so now you have four different ways to enjoy it.
Next time: The Maddest Story Ever Told
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Post by robp on Oct 15, 2022 8:03:40 GMT -5
Return of the Vampire (1943) - OK, I briefly covered this one years ago but that was from memory and now that I've seen it again it's time to take a fresh look at it. The '40s weren't a great time for Bela Lugosi. Universal was wasting him and it was only on Poverty Row that he had a chance to shine, until Columbia decided to get a piece of the Universal Horror pie. Originally conceived as a straight-up sequel to Dracula (the novel), Universal's lawyers put the kibosh on it, this follows the playbook pretty closely, down to the foggy cemetaries and the casting of Lugosi as Armand Tesla who is deniably different than a certain Count. To complete the faux-Universal sheen, there's even a wolf-man named Andreas played by a very Chaney-esque Matt Willis who is a bit too American for a guy with an Eastern European name. Mind you, Chaney Jr. was supposed to be the son of an English lord . . .
The vampire tropes are pretty familiar even for the early '40s, but they're well-executed, with a fine Frieda Inescort as the female Van Helsing stand-in. One big difference from the template is the acknowledgement of WW2. Most Universal Horrors ignored the war (though the Sherlock Holmes series was another matter), but here the Blitz plays a major role in kickstarting the plot and provides an intriguing backdrop for the supernatural evils. All in all, a worthwhile classic vampire movie. The recent Blu-Ray has three commentaries, each covering different aspects of the film so now you have four different ways to enjoy it.
Next time: The Maddest Story Ever Told
Thanks, never seen this one. The Blitz background sounds very interesting. It's a time when crime boomed in London, so why not vampires too... |
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Post by Char-Vell on Oct 15, 2022 8:52:47 GMT -5
Return of the Vampire (1943) - OK, I briefly covered this one years ago but that was from memory and now that I've seen it again it's time to take a fresh look at it. The '40s weren't a great time for Bela Lugosi. Universal was wasting him and it was only on Poverty Row that he had a chance to shine, until Columbia decided to get a piece of the Universal Horror pie. Originally conceived as a straight-up sequel to Dracula (the novel), Universal's lawyers put the kibosh on it, this follows the playbook pretty closely, down to the foggy cemetaries and the casting of Lugosi as Armand Tesla who is deniably different than a certain Count. To complete the faux-Universal sheen, there's even a wolf-man named Andreas played by a very Chaney-esque Matt Willis who is a bit too American for a guy with an Eastern European name. Mind you, Chaney Jr. was supposed to be the son of an English lord . . .
The vampire tropes are pretty familiar even for the early '40s, but they're well-executed, with a fine Frieda Inescort as the female Van Helsing stand-in. One big difference from the template is the acknowledgement of WW2. Most Universal Horrors ignored the war (though the Sherlock Holmes series was another matter), but here the Blitz plays a major role in kickstarting the plot and provides an intriguing backdrop for the supernatural evils. All in all, a worthwhile classic vampire movie. The recent Blu-Ray has three commentaries, each covering different aspects of the film so now you have four different ways to enjoy it.
Next time: The Maddest Story Ever Told
This may be the first vampire flick I ever saw. I watched it with my dad on the local Creature Feature late night movie program. To this day we will occasionally say, "Master, you have returned..." in the style of Andreas. |
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Post by johnnypt on Oct 15, 2022 8:52:49 GMT -5
This one never really turned up on TV much as far as I saw. Not to be confused with the Return of Dracula from 1958z
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Post by almuric on Oct 17, 2022 19:19:03 GMT -5
Spider Baby (1967) - The Merrye Family is afflicted with a mysterious hereditary disorder: they begin to regress down the evolutionary line as they age. Their chauffeur and servant, Bruno (Lon Chaney Jr.), is trying to protect the family from the world (and vice versa), but that becomes impossible when a relative (Quinn Redeker) comes to claim their home for his own. What follows is a mad mix of murder, insanity and sex.
Chaney Jr. was on his best behavior for this one, as the devoted family servant who loves the Merryes enough to blow them up with dynamite. The real standout is Jill Banner as the titular spider-obsessed Merrye daughter Virginia. It's situated in a curious place in cinematic history. The black and white cinematography and "old dark house" setting hearkens back to an earlier age of Horror, while the sexual themes are of the '60s. It's unsettling and funny in equal measures, with a nasty twist ending.
And where else can you hear the Lonster sing?
Come to think of it, that might drive people away from the movie. ;-)
Next time: The Miss of the Spider Woman
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Post by johnnypt on Oct 17, 2022 20:39:44 GMT -5
Spider Baby (1967) - The Merrye Family is afflicted with a mysterious hereditary disorder: they begin to regress down the evolutionary line as they age. Their chauffeur and servant, Bruno (Lon Chaney Jr.), is trying to protect the family from the world (and vice versa), but that becomes impossible when a relative (Quinn Redeker) comes to claim their home for his own. What follows is a mad mix of murder, insanity and sex.
Chaney Jr. was on his best behavior for this one, as the devoted family servant who loves the Merryes enough to blow them up with dynamite. The real standout is Jill Banner as the titular spider-obsessed Merrye daughter Virginia. It's situated in a curious place in cinematic history. The black and white cinematography and "old dark house" setting hearkens back to an earlier age of Horror, while the sexual themes are of the '60s. It's unsettling and funny in equal measures, with a nasty twist ending.
And where else can you hear the Lonster sing?
Come to think of it, that might drive people away from the movie. ;-)
Next time: The Miss of the Spider Woman
How can you leave out Sid Haig! Seriously, it's one messed up movie...that was at one point a favorite on TCM. |
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