THE BLACK CAT
US, 1934, 65 minutes, Black and white.
Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, David Manners, Jacqueline Wells, Egon Brecher.
Directed by Edgar G. Ulmer.
Black Cat is one of the many horror thrillers, brief in running time, that Universal Studios made during the '30s. They capitalised on the presence of Boris Karloff, so famous for his Frankenstein and mummy films, with Bela Lugosi, from Dracula. They make an interesting combination of attitudes, accents, evil. Bela Lugosi acts better here than he did in Dracula.
The film, directed by veteran Edgar G. Ulmer (director of many Yiddish dramas during this period), has a small budget, Universal sets which look artificial but which nevertheless have been accepted as part of the effectiveness of this kind of film. The plot was suggested by a story from Edgar Allan Poe - but strays very far from the original and brings the action into the '30s with memories of World War One. Karloff performs his maniac role with calm control and eerie evil. Lugosi is once again a suave Middle European with accent and sinister presence. Entertaining horror.
1.The popularity of this kind of film in the '30s? Small budget? Universal Studios? Reputation of its stars?
2.Budget: Black and white photography, artificial sets? Musical score.
3.The title, reference to Edgar Allen Poe? Adaptation?
4.Peter and Joan, their trip in Middle Europe, in love? Caught up with Werdergast? Getting off the train? The accident in the coach? In Poelzig's house? Joan and her recovery? Peter and the puzzle? Awareness of the dangers? The mystery of the house? The attempt to escape? Peter misunderstanding and killing Werdergast? Joan discovering Karen? Their escape - and the ironic review about his adventures being far-fetched?
5.Werdergast, presence on the train, Bela Lugosi's sinister style? His story of World War One? Going to Poelzig's house? The story of the concentration camp, the massacres? The confrontation with Poelzig? The story of his wife and daughter? The black cat and his fears? The confrontation with Poelzig, his death? His servant in disguise?
6.Poelzig, sinister presence, Boris Karloff's style? Manner of dress? Manner of speaking? Welcoming the guests? The bodies kept in the cellar? Karen as his wife? His answer to Werdergast? Decision to keep Joan? Sinister courtesy? The game of chess? The phone not working? The black cat and death, evil and immortality? His Satanism? The rituals? Confrontation with Werdergast, in the cellar, being tied up, his death?
7.The servant and his serving Poelzig, with Werdergast, preparing ..... (revenge)? The local colour, comedy about the merits of the towns?
8.The theme of World War One, massacres, concentration camp? The final explosions?
