George Zucco

The Mad Ghoul

by user
May 28, 2017July 19, 2024

The Mad Ghoul (1943) starring Turhan Bey, Evelyn Ankers, David Bruce, George Zucco

The Mad Ghoul, frankly, is an above-average monster movie, starring some of the recognizable actors from the genre in the 1940’s. In short, Dr. Alfred Morris (George Zucco) is a college professor and researcher, who has uncovered and recreated a poisonous gas first used by ancient Mayans, used to create “death in life” – robbing the victims of their own will, similar to the classic zombie movies of the 1930’s and 1940’s. He hires a medical student named Ted Allison (David Bruce), since he needs his surgical skills for the grisly “cure” to the poison — a fresh heart is a crucial ingredient. The original experiment on a monkey seems successful — at first.

The Monster and the Girl

by user
May 22, 2017September 1, 2024

The Monster and the Girl (1941) starring George Zucco, Ellen Drew, Phillip Terry, Robert Paige, Paul Lukas

The Monster and the Girl is a very good “B” movie, well acted, with a cast that the audience cares about. It begins as a courtroom drama, only to pivot to a horror movie. It begins by telling the story of a small town girl named Susan Webster (Ellen Drew) who yearns for the sights and sounds of the big city. Over the objections of her protective brother, Scot (Phillip Terry). What Susan finds in New York isn’t what she bargained for, as she is romanced by smooth talking Larry Reid (Robert Paige) who’s intentions are not as sincere as they first seem. Going through a sham marriage to Larry, she is forced into a prostitution ring run by gangster W. S. Bruhl (Paul Lukas).

The Mummy’s Hand

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May 21, 2017July 14, 2024

The Mummy’s Hand (1940) starring Dick Foran, Wallace Ford, Peggy Moran

If there’s one deadly sin committed by The Mummy’s Hand, it’s that it’s too slow–and I’m not talking about the shambling movement of Kharis the living mummy. The titular mummy doesn’t make his first appearance until an hour into the movie, which has spent far too long in setting the scene. For instance, handsome, young archaeologist Steve Banning (Dick Foran) is stuck in Egypt. Without the funds to pursue his archeological dig. And his friend Babe Jensen (Wallace Ford) is along as comic relief.

The Cat and the Canary, starring Bob Hope, Paulette Goddard

The Cat and the Canary [1939]

by user
April 16, 2016October 19, 2024

The Cat and the Canary, starring Bob Hope, Paulette Goddard

Synopsis of The Cat and the Canary

The classic “old dark house” motif is given sterling treatment in The Cat and the Canary. Bob Hope’s status as a star was assured with his role as Wallie Campbell. He becomes the cowardly protector of Joyce Norman (Paulette Goddard). She, in turn, who must spend one night in the eerie mansion of her late, eccentric, millionaire uncle. If she can make it through the night without losing her mind, Joyce stands to inherit her uncle’s entire fortune. Of course, all the other potential heirs now have a motive to drive her insane.

Scared to Death

by user
January 18, 2016June 12, 2022

Scared to Death (1947) starring Bela Lugosi, George Zucco, Nat Pendleton, Douglas Fowley

Scared to Death is primarily remembered as the answer to a trivia question. What is the only color film with Bela Lugosi in a starring role? And sadly, that’s all it deserves to be remembered for. It’s a good example of a waste of a perfectly good cast.