The Black Cat (1934)

Director:

Edgar G. Ulmer

Writers:

Edgar Allan Poe (story)
Edgar G. Ulmer (screen story) ...

Release Date:

7 May 1934 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Crime | Adventure | Thriller

Tagline:

Things you never said before or even dreamed of!

Plot:

American honeymooners in Hungary are trapped in the home of a Satan- worshiping priest when the bride is taken there for medical help following a road accident.

Plot Keywords:

Hungary | Chess | Storm | Prisoner Of War | Architect

Cast

Boris Karloff	...	Hjalmar Poelzig (as Karloff)
Bela Lugosi	...	Dr. Vitus Werdegast
David Manners	...	Peter Alison
Julie Bishop	...	Joan Alison (as Jacqueline Wells)
Egon Brecher	...	The Majordomo
Harry Cording	...	Thamal, Werdegast's Servant
Lucille Lund	...	Karen Werdegast Poelzig
Henry Armetta	...	Police Sergeant
Albert Conti	...	Police Lieutenant

Also Known As:

The House of Doom (UK)
The Vanishing Body (USA) (reissue title)

Runtime:

65 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)

Certification:

Finland:K-16 (1987) | UK:15 | Australia:PG | Finland:(Banned) (1936) | USA:Approved (PCA #4601) (11 August 1938 for re-release)

Filming Locations:

Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

The first of eight movies to pair Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: One of the women in Poelzig's glass coffins visibly moves while he is admiring her.

Quotes:

Hjalmar Poelzig: Vitus! Your are mad.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in John's Arm: Armageddon (2008)

Soundtrack:

Les Preludes

"The Black Cat", for all its flaws, is one of the most unique horror films ever made

"The Black Cat", for all its flaws, is one of the most unique horror films ever made. Its certainly the most bizarre horror film of the 30s outside of the legendary "Freaks". Plus, it unites two of the greatest genre icons of all time, Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi. Its also one of the few occasions that Edgar G. Ulmer was able to show how talented a filmmaker he was. He only created one other notable film, the absolute masterpiece "Detour" which is possibly the greatest b-film ever made.

The main reason why the film works so well are the performances of both Karloff and Lugosi. Karloff plays one of his most deliciously evil yet charming and sophisticated characters yet. The man exudes tension whenever he appears on camera. Even better surprisingly is Lugosi. Lugosi was sometimes criticized as having charisma but no real acting skill. He is actually superb in his role as a tragic hero. This makes me wish he was given more parts such as this instead of the grade-c schlock he was confined to late on. Both of the stars have marvelous interplay, especially the chess scene. They more than make up for the sappy performances by David Manners and Julie Bishop.

In addition to the performances, Ulmer must be given a lot of credit. His direction and story are both bizarre and throughly captivating. Also, the set design is quite surreal, coming across as art deco gone horribly wrong. Its not a perfect film, but is one of the most memorable horror films of the 30s. (7/10)