A crazed scientist invents a serum that induces a catatonic state in whoever it is injected into. He uses the serum to paralyze his enemies, so that he can bury them alive.
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Title: The Crime of Doctor Crespi (1935)
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Cast
| Cast overview: | |||
| Erich von Stroheim | ... | Dr. Andre Crespi | |
 |
Harriet Russell | ... | Estelle Gorham Ross |
| Dwight Frye | ... | Dr. Thomas | |
| Paul Guilfoyle | ... | Dr. John Arnold | |
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John Bohn | ... | Dr. Stephen Ross |
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Geraldine Kay | ... | Miss Rexford |
| Jean Brooks | ... | Miss Gordon (as Jeanne Kelly) | |
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Patsy Berlin | ... | Jeanne Ross - the Child |
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Joe Verdi | ... | Di Angelo |
| Dean Raymond | ... | Minister | |
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
Dr. Crespi has a festering hatred for Dr. Stephen Ross, the man who married his ex-sweetheart. Ross must undergo surgery and Crespi, sensing an opportunity, seizes it. Ross "appears" to die but Crespi has given him a drug that places the victim in a trance-like state, but leaves him in possession of his senses. Crespi attends the premature burial of his hated colleague. Dr. John Arnold has his suspicions and calls on Dr. Thomas to to help him. They exhume the body and find Ross alive, albeit now a terrified, ghostly figure given to stalking the hospital corridors. Written by Les Adams <longhorn1939@suddenlink.net>
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It Starts Where "Frankenstein" Left Off! (original poster) See more »Certificate:
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Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
24 September 1935 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
O Crime do Dr. Crespi See more »Filming Locations:
Biograph Studios, Bronx, New York City, New York, USACompany Credits
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Although certainly not up to the standards of the competition over at Universal, this little horror film provides enough good moments to warrant at least a look. Stroheim is wonderful, and it's always a treat to see Dwight Frye in anything.
There are some great moments, all involving Stroheim, but some of the best scenes are ruined by sloppiness either in direction or editing. Stroheim's best scene is where he gloats above his paralyzed victim, but the scene is choppy and the edits are so jarring that it's simply a tribute to the actor that the scene works at all.
The funeral scene, however, is very well done. The intercutting between the funeral and the restrained Frye attempting to kick his way to freedom is very good, and continually reminds the viewer of the fate of the poor man in the coffin. The subjective camera angle as the dirt hits it was probably pretty strong stuff in 1935.
If your a fan of horror movies, especially 1930's films, this one should be on your list to view.