A surgeon (Bela Lugosi) has an unhealthy obsession with torture and Edgar Allan Poe. After developing a lust for a friend's daughter, he hires a wanted criminal (Boris Karloff) to kill off anyone who stands in his way. Fright, bondage and lunacy ensue.
The first thing we really need to say about this film is that it has pretty much nothing to do with Poe's "Raven". There is an interpretive dance sequence, and the general inspiration is Poe, but this is by no means a retelling of the poem. However, I happen to find that a relief, as there just is not enough in that poem to carry a feature film.
The modern reviews are not sympathetic. The movie is "hammy but occasionally effective" according to Howard Maxford. Even less forgiving, we hear that it's a "real disappointment", full of "unintentional humor" from Mike Mayo. These words are unfortunate, and I hope that no one is scared away from the film because of them.
I watched this film on the big screen at the Music Box Theater in Chicago, and was very pleasantly surprised with it. Aside from seeing Lugosi and Karloff together, that "unintentional humor" kept the audience amused, and the basic plot is solid. If I had to make any complaint, it is the inconsistency in the pendulum's height. But that's just being picky.
Seriously, give this film a go. Quality production, good story, good acting... maybe it's "hammy", I don't know. I found myself really impressed and I'm glad that the Chicago horror crew decided upon this film for presentation.
The first thing we really need to say about this film is that it has pretty much nothing to do with Poe's "Raven". There is an interpretive dance sequence, and the general inspiration is Poe, but this is by no means a retelling of the poem. However, I happen to find that a relief, as there just is not enough in that poem to carry a feature film.
The modern reviews are not sympathetic. The movie is "hammy but occasionally effective" according to Howard Maxford. Even less forgiving, we hear that it's a "real disappointment", full of "unintentional humor" from Mike Mayo. These words are unfortunate, and I hope that no one is scared away from the film because of them.
I watched this film on the big screen at the Music Box Theater in Chicago, and was very pleasantly surprised with it. Aside from seeing Lugosi and Karloff together, that "unintentional humor" kept the audience amused, and the basic plot is solid. If I had to make any complaint, it is the inconsistency in the pendulum's height. But that's just being picky.
Seriously, give this film a go. Quality production, good story, good acting... maybe it's "hammy", I don't know. I found myself really impressed and I'm glad that the Chicago horror crew decided upon this film for presentation.