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IMDbPro

The Phantom Creeps

  • 19391939
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 4h 25m
IMDb RATING
4.7/10
994
YOUR RATING
Bela Lugosi, Dorothy Arnold, and Robert Kent in The Phantom Creeps (1939)
  • Action
  • Family
  • Horror
A military intelligence officer and a pretty reporter try to find a scientist whose inventions can destroy the world.A military intelligence officer and a pretty reporter try to find a scientist whose inventions can destroy the world.A military intelligence officer and a pretty reporter try to find a scientist whose inventions can destroy the world.
IMDb RATING
4.7/10
994
YOUR RATING
  • Directors
    • Ford Beebe
    • Saul A. Goodkind
  • Writers
    • George H. Plympton(screenplay)
    • Basil Dickey(screenplay)
    • Mildred Barish(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Bela Lugosi
    • Robert Kent
    • Dorothy Arnold
Top credits
  • Directors
    • Ford Beebe
    • Saul A. Goodkind
  • Writers
    • George H. Plympton(screenplay)
    • Basil Dickey(screenplay)
    • Mildred Barish(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Bela Lugosi
    • Robert Kent
    • Dorothy Arnold
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 29User reviews
    • 18Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro

    • Photos100

    Bela Lugosi, Dorothy Arnold, Robert Kent, and Ed Wolff in The Phantom Creeps (1939)
    Bela Lugosi in The Phantom Creeps (1939)
    Bela Lugosi and Jack C. Smith in The Phantom Creeps (1939)
    Bela Lugosi, Dorothy Arnold, and Ed Wolff in The Phantom Creeps (1939)
    Bela Lugosi and Ed Wolff in The Phantom Creeps (1939)
    Bela Lugosi and Ed Wolff in The Phantom Creeps (1939)
    Bela Lugosi and Ed Wolff in The Phantom Creeps (1939)
    The Phantom Creeps (1939)
    The Phantom Creeps (1939)
    The Phantom Creeps (1939)
    The Phantom Creeps (1939)
    The Phantom Creeps (1939)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Bela Lugosi
    Bela Lugosi
    • Dr. Alex Zorkaas Dr. Alex Zorka
    Robert Kent
    Robert Kent
    • Capt. Bob Westas Capt. Bob West
    Dorothy Arnold
    Dorothy Arnold
    • Jean Drewas Jean Drew
    Edwin Stanley
    Edwin Stanley
    • Dr. Fred Malloryas Dr. Fred Mallory
    Regis Toomey
    Regis Toomey
    • Jim Dalyas Jim Daly
    Jack C. Smith
    • Monkas Monk
    Edward Van Sloan
    Edward Van Sloan
    • Jarvis [Chs. 2-12]as Jarvis [Chs. 2-12]
    Dora Clement
    Dora Clement
    • Ann Zorka [Chs. 1-2]as Ann Zorka [Chs. 1-2]
    • (as Dora Clemant)
    Anthony Averill
    Anthony Averill
    • Rankin - Henchman [Chs. 2-12]as Rankin - Henchman [Chs. 2-12]
    Hugh Huntley
    • Perkins - Mallory's Lab Assistant [Chs. 2-12]as Perkins - Mallory's Lab Assistant [Chs. 2-12]
    Monte Vandergrift
    Monte Vandergrift
    • Al - Guard [Ch. 5]as Al - Guard [Ch. 5]
    Frank Mayo
    Frank Mayo
    • Train Engineer [Ch. 6]as Train Engineer [Ch. 6]
    Jim Farley
    Jim Farley
    • Skipper [Ch. 9]as Skipper [Ch. 9]
    • (as James Farley)
    Eddie Acuff
    Eddie Acuff
    • Mac - AMI Agent [Chs. 2-12]as Mac - AMI Agent [Chs. 2-12]
    Reed Howes
    Reed Howes
    • Signalman [Ch. 10]as Signalman [Ch. 10]
    Ed Wolff
    Ed Wolff
    • The Robotas The Robot
    • (as Edw. Wolff)
    Hooper Atchley
    Hooper Atchley
    • Experimental Lab Techas Experimental Lab Tech
    • (uncredited)
    Roy Barcroft
    Roy Barcroft
    • Parker - AMI Agentas Parker - AMI Agent
    • (uncredited)
    • Directors
      • Ford Beebe
      • Saul A. Goodkind
    • Writers
      • George H. Plympton(screenplay)
      • Basil Dickey(screenplay)
      • Mildred Barish(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      When Dr. Zorka drops the bomb on the dirigible, the stock footage is of the actual news footage of the explosion and crash of the Hindenburg.
    • Goofs
      During the car chase the reporter is shown driving on the right side of the car, although before and after the chase plus in overhead shots she is shown correctly on the left side.
    • Quotes

      [after surviving a car crash, Zorka notices the hitch hiker they picked up, who looks like him, is dead.]

      Dr. Alex Zorka: How fortunate, this will simplify everything!

    • Alternate versions
      This serial was edited down to a feature film running 78 minutes and also titled "The Phantom Creeps."
    • Connections
      Edited into The Phantom Creeps (1949)

    User reviews29

    Review
    Top review
    5/10
    Fun For Lugosi Fans
    To me, this 12 part serial seemed a touch cliche, but it was still quite enjoyable. If you are not a fan of the classic horror genre or of Bela Lugosi, you may wish to pass on this one, but if you like corny old Bela films, you are in for a REAL treat.

    One point of interest to me was that I can't help but think George Lucas had watched this serial in particular when he was preparing for Star Wars. The title of the series is "The Phantom Creeps" with the first Episode being titled "The Menacing Power" (Phantom Menace anyone?) Additionally, the scrolling text of Star Wars seems to owe a lot to this serial right down to the usage of capitalization. You'll have to wait for Chapter 2 to get your first glimpse of how it's used- Chapter 1 has no foreward.

    This is the first serial I've seen, though, so it's possible that the scrolling text is common with most serials.
    helpful•3
    3
    • sebulba-9
    • Jan 25, 2004

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 7, 1939 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • El acecho del fantasma
    • Filming locations
      • Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Universal Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      4 hours 25 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

    Related news

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    Bela Lugosi, Dorothy Arnold, and Robert Kent in The Phantom Creeps (1939)
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