A German U-Boat has been sunk in the midst of World War I. The only survivors are Von Boulten (Frederick Vogeding), commander of the U-Boat, and his lieutenant. Twelve years later, Von Boulten is living under the assumed name of Karl Schlemmer. In San Francisco he meets Steve McCreary (Ralph Bellamy), a deep-sea diver. The two become mixed up in a scheme to dig up … Continue reading Below the Sea (1933)
The favorite film: King Kong, an adventure/fantasy classic from 1933 The synopsis: A filmmaker and his crew head to a remote island to make a new film starring the beautiful Ann Darrow. The island has native inhabitants, but they live in a small village, keeping themselves protected from whatever danger lurks around the rest of the island. The truth of the island is revealed after … Continue reading Favorite things about… King Kong (1933)
Originally published in Collier’s in 1924, Richard Connell’s “The Most Dangerous Game” (also known as “The Hounds of Zaroff”) is an incredibly chilling and suspenseful story. It begins with a man named Rainsford, traveling on a boat. He’s having a conversation with a fellow traveler about the island they’re passing by — an island cloaked in superstitious rumors. Rainsford hears odd noises that night, leaves … Continue reading Book vs. Film: The Most Dangerous Game
John Bradley (Ralph Bellamy) is a released prisoner who has been serving time because he accidentally killed a man during a brawl — hit him a bit too hard for flirting with his girl, Helen (Nell O’Day). Knowing that he has anger issues, John decides to isolate himself by moving into and renovating a cabin that was built by his father. Helen tries to reunite … Continue reading Mill Creek Musings: Woman in the Shadows (1934)
Maximus (Claude Rains) performs in music halls, where he pretends to be able to read people’s minds and takes their money for it. He calls himself “King of Mind Readers,” and he’s made a decent living off of exploiting people this way. But Maximus won’t keep faking his clairvoyance for long. He begins to have unpredictable premonitions that actually come true. He soon realizes that … Continue reading HORROR HALF-WEEK, Day 3: The Clairvoyant (1934)
Biff (Gary Cooper) is a dentist who leads a fairly quiet life with his wife. It seems like a pleasant existence, but Biff isn’t completely happy, because he feels he may have lost the love of his life years ago. Head back in time and Biff is plotting with his friend Hugo (Neil Hamilton) to win over a few ladies, Virginia Brush (Fay Wray) and … Continue reading One Sunday Afternoon (1933)
Lee Taylor (Lee Tracy) is a snoopy, snarky New York reporter investigating a strain of serial murders by a man only known as the “Moon Killer.” There have been six victims – all strangled, disfigured by surgical instruments and cannibalized in the middle of full moon nights. Police suspect one of the doctors at the Academy of Surgical Research, where instruments matching those used in … Continue reading Doctor X (1932)
Dorothy (Miriam Hopkins) is The Richest Girl in the World. With all of that money, it would seem that her life must be wonderful, completely free of worry. But when her fiance breaks off his engagement to her because he has fallen in love with someone else, Dorothy begins to question whether someone would like her if she didn’t have money. So she hatches a … Continue reading The Richest Girl in the World (1934)
