The Ghoul (1933)

Starring Boris Karloff, Cedric Hardwicke, Ernest Thesiger, Dorothy Hyson, Anthony Bushell
Directed by T. Hayes Hunter
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)

A dying Egyptologist wants to be buried in his own sarcophagus and tomb along with a valuable jewel that will grant him entrance to the Egyptian afterlife, but several others covet the jewel.

Karloff co-stars with some fine British thespians in a horror film released quickly on the heels of the actor's success as The Mummy, and although the Egyptian-focused plot doesn't offer as memorable a part for Karloff, it's still a fine film in its own right.  The lighting and cinematography by Gunther Krampf is very well-done, highlighted by some eerie closeups of Karloff and Thesiger in particular.  The music score is dark and moody, with drumbeats echoing Karloff's footsteps when he returns from the grave.  The film's sets and art direction are impressive, from the castle-like home of Karloff's character to the Egyptian tomb he constructs for himself.  Although the comic relief offered by Kathleen Harrison's interactions with mysterious Egyptian Harold Huth doesn't add much to the film, she is afforded an admirable chance to stand up for herself at plot's end.  I really enjoyed the picture and the chance to see all these actors together- in addition to Karloff, Hardwicke, and Thesiger, Ralph Richardson also has a key role as a bicycle-riding minister.