THE GHOUL
UK, 1933, 77 minutes, Black and white.
Boris Karloff, Cedric Hardwicke, Ernest Thesiger, Dorothy Hyson, Anthony Bushell, Kathleen Harrison, Ralph Richardson.
Directed by T. Hayes Hunter.
The Ghoul was made in England after Boris Karloff’s success in Frankenstein as well as The Old Dark House. Karloff was to portray sinister characters throughout his whole career in film and on television. In the 1960s he worked for Roger Corman in a series of horror films and made Targets with Peter Bogdanovich.
The film has a very strong British cast including an unrecognisable Cedric Hardwicke as well as veteran Ernest Thesiger who was to appear with Karloff in Bride of Frankenstein. Anthony Bushell is the hero, later an actor and film director (The Long Dark Hall). Veteran actress Kathleen Harrison (better known for her housemaids or as Mrs Huggett) is the heroine’s friend. It is Ralph Richardson’s first film, appearing as a parson – with a secret.
The story is somewhat preposterous but relates to the interest in Egyptology at the time. Boris Karloff was to appear at the same time as The Mummy.
In this film he portrays a professor who has a jewel which will give him immortality. Various Egyptians are after it as is a greedy lawyer played by Cedric Hardwicke and the professor’s servant, played by Ernest Thesiger. In the meantime, the professor’s nephew and a cousin are brought into the action – and are threatened, as is the heroine’s friend.
There are many strong aspects of the film and its atmosphere but, as with a number of British films at the time, it seems fairly creaky now. The director was an American who went to England, T. Hayes Hunter.
1.The popularity of this kind of film in the 1930s? In retrospect? A Boris Karloff film, a Boris Karloff character?
2.British production values, the mansion, the homes, the interiors? The musical score? Black and white photography?
3.The familiarity of the plot, audience interest in Egyptology, the digging up of tombs, transportation of statues, jewels? Beliefs in the gods? In immortality? The academics and their giving themselves over to the Egyptian religions? Professor Morlant, his dying, his career, his selfishness, his domination of his servant, wanting to be buried in a particular place, wanting to come alive again, get the jewel, surrender himself to the Egyptian gods and have immortality?
4.Boris Karloff as this kind of character, his appearance, his voice, manner of walking, speaking? His death? His rising again? His walking through the house, searching for the jewel, the threats, attempting to kill Betty? Going to the temple, surrendering himself, carving the images on his chest? Nigel Hartley deceiving him? His death?
5.Broughton, sinister, the lawyer, wanting the jewel? Going to the house, his searching for the jewel? The interactions with Betty and Ralph? His fear with the risen professor?
6.Laing, the Scotsman, the servant, doing his master’s will? Wanting the jewel? His fears? As a character?
7.Betty and Ralph, the younger generation, the family, the clashes? Their going to the house together? Betty under threat? Ralph as disagreeable? Finally in the tomb, the fire, with Nigel, the explosion and getting out? Conventional characters?
8.Kaney, the friend, a more vivid personality than Betty? Her romantic attitudes? Meeting Mahmoud? Flirting with him, making the coffee, her fears, screams? Shutting her eyes and not talking? Her finally getting the jewel, the threats, saving the day?
9.The Egyptians, the initial threats, Professor Morlant killing the man in the woods? Mahmoud and his investigation, wanting the jewel?
10.Nigel Hartley, the conventional parson, his helpfulness? The revelation of the truth, a robber? The fight in the tomb, the fire?
11.The popularity of this kind of horror film in its time? Considered as something of a classic – now seen in retrospect?
