The Mummy (1932)

Ok this is really old! Well it is about a 3700 years old mummy...

It was a simple carefully done movie, that never terrifies, but it must have been terrifying to watch in the 30s. I have a soft spot in my heart for these classic monsters, I do not know why, I just do.

Karloff had such power, as an actor and as a chair filler, that he was advertised only through the last name, sometimes it was followed by “the Uncanny”, a tag created for him by Universal Studios. He was/is the greatest monster movie actor of all times, followed by Bela Lugosi and Lon Chaney Jr. In this movie, his strong and overwhelming presence on screen was carefully toned down, he almost does not move, he is extremely calm and silent, leaving all the performance strength to his face and eyes. To attain Imhotep’s look and to strengthen his look, Karloff was subjected to a very long and painful characterization, an ordeal that helped him get into character, I imagine.

Watch it, it is part of the film history, and it certainly played and still plays a part in the definition of Horror movies. Some of its imagery will haunt you...




Rating: Mostly because it is more than 75 years old 6,5/10