As noted elsewhere, I recently picked up a copy of Karloff's 1933 "The Ghoul" at Big Lots. I'd never seen the film before, so I was excited about getting to see it at last. I have to admit to being a little disappointed in it though. While Boris got top billing, he probably had less screen time than anyone else in the picture. The film had a stellar cast, including Ernest Thesiger, Cedric Hardwicke, and Ralph Richarsdon, but the overall story was kinda boring. And frankly, the dashing young hero (Anthony Bushell) was such an obnoxious jerk that I was rooting for the bad guys to bump him off! For $3.00, it was worth buying, but it's definitely not one of my favorite Karloff films.
George
That $3.00 sale is something else!
I found "X" with Ray Milland and "Konga" with Michael Gough.
They're kinda sparse compared to the more contemporary titles in the batch, so thank God nobody else in my neighborhood digs this stuff right now! lol
THE GHOUL is, for all its flaws, an atmospheric film, with some genuine eeriness. And the comedy relief is sometimes actually funny.
Great to see Thesiger in a substantial role, too.
Quote from: The Drunken Severed Head on July 19, 2008, 07:27:00 PM
THE GHOUL is, for all its flaws, an atmospheric film, with some genuine eeriness. And the comedy relief is sometimes actually funny.
Great to see Thesiger in a substantial role, too.
I think you have some valid points. I also enjoyed Thesiger in this movie, and the goofy female roommate was kinda fun at times. I think the main thing that bothered me about the film is the writers kinda cheated at the end, claiming that Karloff's character had actually been in a coma and wasn't really dead yet when interred. To me that kinda negated the whole "Karloff rising from the dead to seek vengeance and secure his place in Egyptian Heaven" plot. Plus, how the heck did his character bend the iron bars over Thesiger's window if he were just coming out of a coma and not really undead?
George
To really enjoy the film, ya hafta ignore the cheat ending. It takes great effort, but it can be done! :D
I Think The Ghoul is a superb film. The lighting and camera work were top notch for their day. Compare them to what was being done over at Universal and this becomes quickly obvious. Especially the arresting opening 15 minutes. Great stuff.
The score is a master-stroke...using themes from Wagner, but in new arrangements. This film is well scored all the way through.
I get past the cheat ending as being the living people's "Interpretation" of events. Their way of rationalizing events. We don't have to take their word for it.
Matt
Quote from: mjaycox on July 21, 2008, 12:52:42 AM
I get past the cheat ending as being the living people's "Interpretation" of events. Their way of rationalizing events. We don't have to take their word for it.
I like that interpretation very much, Matt. Yup-- that's the best perspective!