• The first of three Val Lewton and Boris Karloff collaborations in 1945 and 1946—the other two were directed by Mark Robson – Isle of the Dead and Bedlam.— part of Lewton’s impressive run as producer as artist from 1942-1946
  • Like almost all of Lewton’s films, and the thriller/horror genre of the time- a tight short film- 78 minutes, atmospheric
  • Karloff in another film about grave robbing like Frankenstein nearly 15 years prior (1931)
  • Reoccurring singing street urchin girl—three times—grizzly ending
  • A great shot at 41 minutes- Wise (his third feature, second solo) uses the doctors and students to design and block the frame in the little operating theater
  • The greatest accomplishment in the film is Karloff’s— the blows the other actors off the screen. He has that evil grin, the taunting way he says “Toddy”—his trademark lisp. He makes a striking character here- the grave-robbing coachman.

The greatest accomplishment in the film is Karloff’s— the blows the other actors off the screen. He has that evil grin, the taunting way he says “Toddy”—his trademark lisp. He makes a striking character here- the grave-robbing coachman.

  • Karloff and Bela Lugosi have a memorable scene together again—Karloff again does the heavy lifting. This is their eighth and final time sharing the screen together

Karloff and Bela Lugosi have a memorable scene together again—Karloff again does the heavy lifting. This is their eighth and final time sharing the screen together

  • Recommend but not in the top 10 of 1945