Movielogr

The Black Cat (1934)

Directed by Edgar G. Ulmer

Horror

Most recently watched by sleestakk, zombiefreak

Overview

After a road accident in Hungary, the American honeymooners Joan and Peter and the enigmatic Dr. Werdegast find refuge in the house of the famed architect Hjalmar Poelzig, who shares a dark past with the doctor.

Length 63 minutes

Actors

Boris Karloff | Bela Lugosi | David Manners | Julie Bishop | Egon Brecher | Harry Cording | Lucille Lund | Henry Armetta | Albert Conti | John Carradine | John George | Albert Pollet

Viewing History (seen 2 times)

Date ViewedDeviceFormatSourceRating
03/05/2023Home TheaterBlu-rayOwned7 stars
10/29/2011TVOtherOther7.5 stars
 

Viewing Notes

Our first movie for a horror themed Halloween Movie Night!

The Black Cat is a seriously overlooked “horror” classic with great performances from Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff (billed as simply Karloff here) at the top of their respective games.

Lugosi’s accent works to his advantage as he plays a Hungarian returning to his home after a long imprisonment during and after World War I, seeking revenge against the man who stole his wife and daughter from him.

A mystery writer and his wife get caught up in the fray and become unwitting pawns in the cat and mouse game between Lugosi and Karloff.

This movie looks gorgeous in black and white, with some really strong contrasts and a beautiful Bauhaus/modern set.

Well worth a watch, especially if you’re a fan of the classic Universal Horror series. It should also be noted that this is the first on-screen pairing of Lugosi and Karloff.

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