Released – December, 1932 

Directed By - Karl Freund

Starring – Boris Karloff (Ardath Bey/Im-ho-tep), Zita Johann (Helen Grosvenor), David Manners (Frank Whemple), Arthur Byron (Sir Joseph Whemple), Edward Van Sloan (Dr. Muller).

Description – An archaeological expedition finds the tomb of Egyption priest Im-ho-tep. When on of the archaeologists reads an ancient life-giving spell it brings the mummy of Im-ho-tep back to life.

He escapes with the Scroll of Thoth reputed to bring the dead back to life and sets out to find the reincarnation of his ancient lover Princess Ankh-es-en-amon.

Ten years now pass and Im-ho-tep, now known as the mysterious Egyption Ardath Bey, armed with the Scroll of Thoth joins another expedition to find the tomb of the princess. In order to bring her back to life he must first take the life of Helen Grosvenor who be believes to be the reincarnated Princess.

NOTABLE: This motion picture was inspired by the opening of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922.

Actress Zita Johann actually was a believer of reincarnation.

It took makeup artist Jack Pierce eight hours to apply the necessary makeup to Boris Karloff.

The poster for the movie holds the record for the most money ever paid for a movie poster at auction going for more than $453,000, and is #15 on Premiere’s “25 Best Movie Posters Ever.”

Personal Comment: A horror classic that ranks right up there with Frankenstein, Dracula, and The Wolf Man in the genre’s history. Great dialogue, direction, atmosphere, and a first-rate performance by Boris Karloff.

The Mummy (Special Edition) (Universal Legacy Series)

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Released – November, 1931 

Directed By - James Whale

Starring – Colin Clive (Dr. Henry Frankenstein), Mae Clarke (Elizabeth), John Boles (Victor Moritz), Boris Karloff (The Monster), Dwight Frye (Fritz).

Description – Loosely based on the Mary Shelley novel, Frankenstein is probably the most recognizable monster in the history of the horror genre.

Ambitious scientist Dr. Frankenstein and his hunch-back assistant Fritz have been collecting and reassembling human body parts in an effort to create life. With a loud crack of thunder and lightening igniting Dr. Frankensteins’s electrical machines the monster comes alive.

Unknown to the Doctor is the fact that his assistant Fritz has collected the brain of a criminal for the experiment and his new life form knows only hate and murder. The rest of the story is horror genre history.

NOTABLE: In 1991 this film was selected for the National Film Registry in the Library of Congress.

The role of Frankenstein was originally offered to Bela Lugosi who rejected the part because is was a non-speaking role. Actor John Carradine also turned the part down because he felt he was too highly trained an actor to be reduced to playing a monster.

What have commonly been referred to as bolts in the monster’s neck are actually electrodes.

The original release of the film was banned in Kansas because they felt it depicted “cruelty and tended to debase morals”.

Personal Comment: In spite of the production limitations, both Frankenstein and Dracula are immortalized in the minds of horror genre movie lovers; including myself.

There were a string of sequels to this film including what is commonly considered to be the best of the series – ‘Bride of Frankenstein,’ starring Elsa Lanchester.

Talk about typecasting – Enjoy the creepy performances of Dwight Frye as Fritz the hunch-back assistant in this film, and as Reinfield in Dracula.

Frankenstein (75th Anniversary Edition) (Universal Legacy Series)

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