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The Face Behind the Mask

  • 19411941
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 9m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
1.4K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Peter Lorre, Evelyn Keyes, and George E. Stone in The Face Behind the Mask (1941)
  • Crime
  • Drama
  • Film-Noir
A disfigured watch-maker with a grudge against society embarks on a life of crime.A disfigured watch-maker with a grudge against society embarks on a life of crime.A disfigured watch-maker with a grudge against society embarks on a life of crime.
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
1.4K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Robert Florey
  • Writers
    • Paul Jarrico(screenplay)
    • Arthur Levinson(story)
    • Thomas Edward O'Connell(play "Interim")
  • Stars
    • Peter Lorre
    • Evelyn Keyes
    • Don Beddoe
Top credits
  • Director
    • Robert Florey
  • Writers
    • Paul Jarrico(screenplay)
    • Arthur Levinson(story)
    • Thomas Edward O'Connell(play "Interim")
  • Stars
    • Peter Lorre
    • Evelyn Keyes
    • Don Beddoe
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 28User reviews
    • 28Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos91

    The Face Behind the Mask (1941)
    The Face Behind the Mask (1941)
    The Face Behind the Mask (1941)
    The Face Behind the Mask (1941)
    The Face Behind the Mask (1941)
    The Face Behind the Mask (1941)
    The Face Behind the Mask (1941)
    The Face Behind the Mask (1941)
    The Face Behind the Mask (1941)
    The Face Behind the Mask (1941)
    The Face Behind the Mask (1941)
    The Face Behind the Mask (1941)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Peter Lorre
    Peter Lorre
    • Janos 'Johnny' Szaboas Janos 'Johnny' Szabo
    Evelyn Keyes
    Evelyn Keyes
    • Helen Williamsas Helen Williams
    Don Beddoe
    Don Beddoe
    • Lt. James 'Jim' O'Haraas Lt. James 'Jim' O'Hara
    George E. Stone
    George E. Stone
    • Dinkyas Dinky
    John Tyrrell
    John Tyrrell
    • Wattsas Watts
    Cy Schindell
    Cy Schindell
    • Bensonas Benson
    • (as Al Seymour)
    Stanley Brown
    Stanley Brown
    • Harryas Harry
    James Seay
    James Seay
    • Jeff Jeffriesas Jeff Jeffries
    Warren Ashe
    Warren Ashe
    • Johnson, Reporteras Johnson, Reporter
    Charles C. Wilson
    Charles C. Wilson
    • Chief O'Brienas Chief O'Brien
    • (as Charles Wilson)
    George McKay
    • Terry Finneganas Terry Finnegan
    Ernie Adams
    Ernie Adams
    • Hotel Guestas Hotel Guest
    • (uncredited)
    Sam Ash
    Sam Ash
    • Mike Cary - Pilotas Mike Cary - Pilot
    • (uncredited)
    Al Bridge
    Al Bridge
    • Flop House Manageras Flop House Manager
    • (uncredited)
    Mary Currier
    Mary Currier
    • Burn Treatment Nurseas Burn Treatment Nurse
    • (uncredited)
    John Dilson
    John Dilson
    • Man at Dock Asking for a Lightas Man at Dock Asking for a Light
    • (uncredited)
    Sarah Edwards
    Sarah Edwards
    • Mrs. Perkinsas Mrs. Perkins
    • (uncredited)
    Eddie Foster
    • Street Passerby Lighting Cigaretteas Street Passerby Lighting Cigarette
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Robert Florey
    • Writers
      • Paul Jarrico(screenplay)
      • Arthur Levinson(story)
      • Thomas Edward O'Connell(play "Interim")
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Part of the SON OF SHOCK package of 20 titles released to television in 1958, which followed the original Shock Theater release of 52 features one year earlier. This was also one of the 11 Columbia titles, the other 61 all being Universals.
    • Quotes

      Dinky: What do you get out of bein' dead? Layin' in a grave ain't my idea of life.

    • Connections
      Featured in Shock Theater: The Face Behind The Mask (1959)

    User reviews28

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Embryonic Film-Noir & B-Movie Classic…Florey & Lorre Deliver
    Popular B-Movie and a Cult item because it was Directed by the Always Interesting and Creative Robert Florey and Starred icon Peter Lorre. Both the Actor and Director are at Their Best here Despite Lorre's Tantrums about the Script. He unwittingly Created a Great Character in a Low-Budget Film that is Beloved and among His Best.

    The Skimpy Budget and Shooting Schedule would Not Allow the Plot to be Developed and some of the Story may seem Contrived and Forced but Overall it is Gripping Movie making with a Good Supporting Cast including Evelyn Keyes as a Blind Innocent and George E. Stone as Lorre's sympathetic Friend.

    It's Touching when it Needs to be and Horrific at times. The Film is One of those Lesser Efforts that Emerges Beyond its Limitations and manages to be Amazing in its Striking Simplicity. The Ending is Tragic and goes Against the usual Early WWII Optimism. This should at least be Considered a Forerunner to Film-Noir because of its Powerful Imagery and Downbeat, Gut-Wrenching Story.
    helpful•8
    3
    • LeonLouisRicci
    • Aug 5, 2015

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 16, 1941 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Behind the Mask
    • Filming locations
      • Yuma, Arizona, USA
    • Production company
      • Columbia Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 9 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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