“This story was inspired by the findings of the Attorney-General at Gibraltar, and portrays the grim sea tragedy of the American brig ‘Mary Celeste,’ found drifting and derelict in Mid-Atlantic on December 5, 1972 — one of the strangest and most dramatic chapters in maritime history.” The Mystery of Mary Celeste is inspired by the strange tale of a real ship called the Mary Celeste, … Continue reading The Mystery of the Mary Celeste (1935)
One year, one film: 1931 The film: Dracula, dir. Tod Browning starring Bela Lugosi Rating: Recommended | Highly Recommended | MUST-SEE Bela Lugosi gives an iconic performance in the title role of this early-’30s Universal horror flick. Tod Browning, best-known for his work in the horror genre (Mark of the Vampire, Freaks, London After Midnight, etc.) directs. What did critics at the time think of … Continue reading One year, one film: 1931 – Dracula
Joel Cadman (Basil Rathbone) is a well-known, well-respected surgeon living and practicing in England in the late 19th century. He’s so well-known and well-respected, in fact, that he’s been knighted! With the prefix “Sir” attached to his name, one may assume that Cadman lives a charmed life, but no such luck. He’s actually dealing with great emotional anguish, as his wife rests in a coma … Continue reading Chaney Blogathon: The Black Sleep (1956)
Larry Talbot (Lon Chaney, Jr.) has been living in America, but when his brother passes away he returns to his ancestral home in Wales. He hopes to reconnect with his father, who he has had a strained relationship with. While in Wales, Larry takes an interest in Gwen (Evelyn Ankers), a local girl who works at an antique shop. He meets her when he buys … Continue reading The Wolf Man (1941)
*This review contains mild spoilers. Joan (Julie Bishop) and Peter Alison (David Manners) are on a honeymoon train in Hungary when a ticket mix-up causes them to have to share their compartment with Dr. Vitus Werdegast (Bela Lugosi), a psychiatrist who is returning to his hometown after spending fifteen years as a prisoner of war. But small tragedy strikes when the bus bound for their … Continue reading The Black Cat (1934)
*This post contains spoilers for both Poe’s story and the 1932 film adaptation. Edgar Allan Poe is one of my absolute favorite writers, and The Murders in the Rue Morgue is one of his best-known stories. Originally published in the April 1841 issue of Philadelphia periodical Graham’s Magazine (of which Poe served as editor for a time), this short piece is often regarded as the … Continue reading Poe vs. film: The Murders in the Rue Morgue
