Newlyweds Peter and Joan Alison (David Manners and Julie Bishop) are travelling through Hungary in the company of Dr. Vitus Werdegast (Bela Lugosi) when their bus crashes, leaving Joan with minor injuries. The travellers take refuge at the home of celebrated architect Hjalmar Poelzog (Boris Karloff, billed simply as Karloff), with whom Werdegast has a bitter feud. As Joan recuperates, Poelzig plans to use his pretty guest in a Satanic ritual, while Werdegast plots revenge against the man he holds responsible for the death of his wife and child.
Karloff and Lugosi might sound like the perfect pairing for any Universal horror fan, but for me the real star of this rather dreary potboiler is Poelzig's house, which is far more interesting than any of the dialogue heavy action that takes place within. Art Deco by way of Dr. Seuss, with a particularly impressive spiral staircase leading down to the architect's angular Satanic altar, it's a shame when the place is blown sky high in the film's less than thrilling climax.
Karloff and Lugosi might sound like the perfect pairing for any Universal horror fan, but for me the real star of this rather dreary potboiler is Poelzig's house, which is far more interesting than any of the dialogue heavy action that takes place within. Art Deco by way of Dr. Seuss, with a particularly impressive spiral staircase leading down to the architect's angular Satanic altar, it's a shame when the place is blown sky high in the film's less than thrilling climax.