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.
Showing posts with label Ernest Thesiger. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ernest Thesiger. Show all posts
Friday, August 24, 2018
Tuesday, June 5, 2018
The Old Dark House (1932)
Starring Boris Karloff, Melvyn Douglas, Charles Laughton, Lilian Bond, Ernest Thesiger
Directed by James Whale
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)
After being caught in a terrible thunderstorm, a quintet of characters seek shelter at the Femm house, whose residents range from eccentric to downright dangerous.
Director James Whale and his star Boris Karloff follow up Frankenstein with this tale of the bizarre Femm family who inhabit a gloomy manor with a fearsome butler (Karloff) and terrible secrets locked away upstairs. However, it's not just a horror movie, although it has its share of screams and shocks, but also possesses romance, quirky humor, and commentary on society and the pursuit of happiness. I've seen the film twice, perhaps three times, and each time discover something new I failed to notice before. This time I was captivated by the visual sequence in which actress Gloria Stuart is tormented by mirror images of the characters she's met that have frightened her most, conveyed by Arthur Edeson's photography and Clarence Kolster's editing. Those coming to the film to see Karloff as another monster will find that, but be left with so much more, and truthfully the picture's most terrifying sequence may be Douglas's climactic meeting with Saul Femm (played by Brember Wills), whose initial meekness hides something far more sinister.
Directed by James Whale
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)
After being caught in a terrible thunderstorm, a quintet of characters seek shelter at the Femm house, whose residents range from eccentric to downright dangerous.
Director James Whale and his star Boris Karloff follow up Frankenstein with this tale of the bizarre Femm family who inhabit a gloomy manor with a fearsome butler (Karloff) and terrible secrets locked away upstairs. However, it's not just a horror movie, although it has its share of screams and shocks, but also possesses romance, quirky humor, and commentary on society and the pursuit of happiness. I've seen the film twice, perhaps three times, and each time discover something new I failed to notice before. This time I was captivated by the visual sequence in which actress Gloria Stuart is tormented by mirror images of the characters she's met that have frightened her most, conveyed by Arthur Edeson's photography and Clarence Kolster's editing. Those coming to the film to see Karloff as another monster will find that, but be left with so much more, and truthfully the picture's most terrifying sequence may be Douglas's climactic meeting with Saul Femm (played by Brember Wills), whose initial meekness hides something far more sinister.
Friday, November 25, 2016
The Bride Of Frankenstein (1935)
Starring Boris Karloff, Colin Clive, Valerie Hobson, Ernest Thesiger, Elsa Lanchester
Directed by James Whale
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)
After the Monster survives his apparent death, an evil scientist blackmails Henry Frankenstein into creating a mate for the creature.
A terrific sequel to Whale's 1931 Frankenstein film that launched Karloff's stellar horror career, the picture features the return of Karloff in his classic role, who speaks as the monster for the first and only time. Although his performance in this film has been often parodied over the years, it is still a work of quality, such that the distinguished British gentleman underneath the makeup isn't discernible at all. Karloff is only one component however of a fine motion picture, which also features Whale's expert direction and the addition of wry touches of humor, something missing from the first film, as well as beautiful photography from John Mescall, and a thrilling score by Franz Waxman. The screenplay, which according to IMDB several individuals worked on at one time or other, wisely recreates a sequence from Mary Shelley's original novel which was absent from the first film, a touching sequence in which Karloff's monster befriends a blind hermit played by O.P. Heggie.
Directed by James Whale
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)
After the Monster survives his apparent death, an evil scientist blackmails Henry Frankenstein into creating a mate for the creature.
A terrific sequel to Whale's 1931 Frankenstein film that launched Karloff's stellar horror career, the picture features the return of Karloff in his classic role, who speaks as the monster for the first and only time. Although his performance in this film has been often parodied over the years, it is still a work of quality, such that the distinguished British gentleman underneath the makeup isn't discernible at all. Karloff is only one component however of a fine motion picture, which also features Whale's expert direction and the addition of wry touches of humor, something missing from the first film, as well as beautiful photography from John Mescall, and a thrilling score by Franz Waxman. The screenplay, which according to IMDB several individuals worked on at one time or other, wisely recreates a sequence from Mary Shelley's original novel which was absent from the first film, a touching sequence in which Karloff's monster befriends a blind hermit played by O.P. Heggie.
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