THE CORPSE VANISHES (1942)

[ulthar]

Every once in a while, a flick exeeds expectations and really shines.  I'd been watching some Italian space-horror, such as ASSIGNMENT OUTER SPACE and COSMOS WAR OF THE PLANETS when I took a little turn and went for an old classic Lugosi film.  Wow.

The plot:

Virgin brides are dying at the alter and their bodies never make it to the mortuary.  The DA is ineffective, so local newspaper steps up to fill the gap.  Young enterprising society columnist Pat Hunter, seeking to make a name for herself, realizes the first clue.  This in turn leads to her being threatenend with being fired if she does not solve the mystery.  The rising action in the first act is very engaging - you want to see just where this is going.

The acting here is rock solid, and Lugosi shines even if he has only a small part of the dialog.  The man was a master at doing charming and sinister at the same time.  And he sure knew how to keep the hired help in place, eh?

The music also added to the suspense and was quite mood setting - well, except for those parts with recognizable strains of "Mary Had a Little Lamb."  The story was interesting enough to keep attention without being overly convoluted or delving too much into minutia so as to become derailed. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this one.  Good pacing and overall direction, THE CORPSE VANISHES provides a very enjoyable hour into an interesting story.  I'd say a Must-See for any Bela Lugosi fan.

5 out of 5 from me.

[RCMerchant]

 One of the reasons I  am a Lugosiphile is that no matter how small a role,or cheap a movie, Bela always tried to make it interesting-and for those who accuse him of overacting-he delibretly hammed it up in those Z-budget films...just to give it some energy and to keep it interesting. They were junk,throw away parts-and he knew it. But hewas a pro-and he tried to give the folks their moneys worth. Most stars would simply walk threw the small stuff...finding it beneath them. Ain't seen this one yet,though! 

[Shadow]

Karma, Mr. Merchant, for being such a a devoted Lugosi fan. Plus, I just wanted to see you with 200. 

[Raffine]

keep an eye out for this one, RC. It definitely is one of Bela's better Monogram efforts.

It also features as Bela's undead wife one of my favorite unsung actresses from this period: Elizabeth Russell. Stunningly beautiful, she specialized in playing cold but tormented women. She was featured in several of Val Lewton's classy RKO horror films. She has a tiny but memorable role as the woman who calls Irena "Sister" in CAT PEOPLE and she's Mrs. Fallon's neglected and potentially dangerous daughter in CURSE OF THE CAT PEOPLE. She's also the ghost in THE UNINVITED and has a fairly large role in the Lon Chaney, Jr. Inner Sanctum film WEIRD WOMAN.



The poverty row Lugosi movie I've always wanted to see is VOODOO MAN. It seems to be the only one of these not on all sorts of public domain VHS and DVD releases. It also features John Carradine and George Zucco! It was directed by William "One Shot" Beaudine!

[RCMerchant]

 I remember  CURSE of the CAT PEOPle quite well...with the headless horseman! One of Lewton lesser known pictures,though,IMO,undeservidly so.

Never seen WEIRD WOMAN...but I'm famaliar with the Inner Sanctum series. My favorite was DEAD MAN's EYES!
This is odd...I was searching for a clip of VOODOO MAN on youtube...but no luck. Did find this curious clip,though.  It's Bela in DEATH KISS...they are discussing  the making of a movie...and finishing it up without the star...and using a double...kinda reflects Lugosi's last 'role' in PLAN 9...
                                      [youtube=425,350] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOrXg9U4BS0

  200...wow-cool! thanks! 

[Scott]

THE CORPSE VANISHES is really a very good poverty row film that has enough odd moments to make it very entertaining. You can pick it up for a $1 or less if you get the right movie pack. I give it (7 out of 10 Stars).