The Vampire Bat.

Review #708: The Vampire Bat.

Cast
Lionel Atwill (Dr. Otto von Niemann), Fay Wray (Ruth Bertin), Melvyn Douglas (Karl Breettschneider), Maude Eburne (Gussie Schnappmann), George E. Stone (Kringen), Dwight Frye (Herman Gleib), Robert Frazer (Emil Borst), and Rita Carlisle (Martha Mueller) Directed by Frank R. Strayer.

Review
Well, it's certainly a quick movie. At 63 minutes, this is a movie that was released just a month before another Atwill-Wray movie would be released (Mystery of the Wax Museum), but this one was released by Majestic Pictures, a studio known for cheap flicks made quickly. And since this is in public domain, you can find this movie anywhere on the Internet. But the question is would you want to? That depends. The sets look nice and scenic, fitting well with what the movie is trying to do so quickly. The characters are fine, save for Eburne's comic relief character, an anxious panicky character who almost ruins the balance that Wray and Douglas have with each other. Atwill is a good lead character (who pops up in numerous 1930's films). The ending is at least something different from most vampire films, though your reaction may vary on your level of disbelief. Extra points for having Dwight Frye as a supporting character, which is always welcome. If you're up for some quick cheap horror thrills, I'd say this movie is for you. Is it an old flick? As the old saying goes, 82 is the new 40. Or 30.

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Dead Men Walk.

Review #436: Dead Men Walk.

Cast
George Zucco (Dr. Lloyd Clayton / Dr. Elwyn Clayton), Mary Carlisle (Gale Clayton), Nedrick Young (Dr. David Bentley), Dwight Frye (Zolarr), and Fern Emmett (Kate) Directed by Sam Newfield.

Review
What? Oh sorry, I was busy trying to remember what I was watching earlier. All I remember is watching this 64 minute 1940s film, took a nap after watching it, and then watching some show to block this film out of my memory. The Powerpuff Girls don't do a very good job at that, unfortunately. I'd say something like "But at least this has some entertainment value right?", but this isn't really much in terms of entertainment. It ends quicker then it begins and it feels like a low budget Dracula at best. In fact, Dwight Frye is even in this, previously featured in Frankenstein, Dracula and The Maltese Falcon, and he's okay in this. The budget is low, as noticed when I keep hearing sound issues, such as their being a faint tap, which sounds like what happens on a record player. The film starts with some sort of book about "The History of the Vampires" being burned, which puzzles me because I'm wondering who would make such a book about that? The next book presumably would be The History of Zardar, the Clown Terror from Beyond Outer Space, or The History of the World, Part II. The actors are okay, and the film sometimes does have a creepy vibe, but it's mostly forgettable, yet very easy to find on the Internet.

Overall, I give it 5 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: The Maltese Falcon (1931).

Review #395: The Maltese Falcon.

Cast
Bebe Daniels (Ruth Wonderly), Ricardo Cortez (Sam Spade), Dudley Digges (Casper Gutman), Una Merkel (Effie Perine), Robert Elliott (Dundy), Thelma Todd (Iva Archer), Otto Matieson (Joel Cairo), Walter Long (Miles Archer), and Dwight Frye (Wilmer Cook) Directed by Roy Del Ruth.

Review
As it turns out, the 1941 film version of the Dashiell Hammett novel was not the first adaptation, as this 1931 film was made first, though it would soon languish into obscurity, even being called Dangerous Female after the 1941 film was released. But my question before watching was would it be any good. And...it's not exactly good, but it has some sort of merit. Trying to compare this and the 1941 film is liking trying to compare a work of art by Picasso to a painting by a beginner, it's just not fair to compare because as I said in my review of the 1941 film, "The film has a style to it that helps the film makes its case for a good film, if not already from the acting. The story's good, making you interested in it for the entirety of the film." From what I've heard, the two films are pretty close to the novel, different in some ways, and this version feels like the 1941 version, but not too much. Maybe it's just me, but when I was watching I thought I heard a crackly noise that kept going in the background for the rest of the film, but that could just be me. The actors are alright, and the sets do look well. The film shows its age at points, and while this isn't a great film in most sense, this at least should watched once, either before or after the 1941 film. Take this for it's worth, no matter the consequences. Countdown to 400 Reviews: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5...

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Frankenstein (1931)

Review #072: Frankenstein.

Cast
Colin Clive (Henry Frankenstein), Mae Clarke (Elizabeth Lavenza), John Boles (Victor Moritz), Boris Karloff (Frankenstein's monster), Edward Van Sloan (Dr. Waldman), Frederick Kerr (Baron Frankenstein), Dwight Frye (Fritz), and Lionel Belmore (Herr Vogel, the Burgomaster) Directed by James Whale (#069 - The Invisible Man)

Review
This film is the first (feature length) adaption of the Mary Shelley book, Frankenstein. It was released in November 1931, the same year as Dracula, so these films are essentially a double feature (separated by months, but still connected nonetheless) Anyway, this film is great. It has good atmosphere, especially the lab and the opening sequence. This film would have many adaptations from many places, from Hammer (Which would make many sequels to it) to Kenneth Branagh's version. The acting is great, especially from Colin Clive. I of course will mention the Monster's design by Jack Pearce. It looks terrifying and menacing, especially with Karloff in the role. A good film that spawned a franchise...

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Dracula (1931).

Hello, if you see this, you should check out the updated review of this film, complete with a review of the Spanish film!

https://movienightcentral.blogspot.com/2021/10/dracula-1931.html

Review #071: Dracula.

Cast
Bela Lugosi (Count Dracula), Helen Chandler (Mina Seward), David Manners (John Harker), Dwight Frye (Renfield), Edward Van Sloan (Van Helsing), Herbert Bunston (Dr. Seward), Frances Dade (Lucy Weston), and Joan Standing (Nurse Briggs) Directed by Tod Browning.

Review
This film is the second adaption of the Bram Stoker novel, Dracula (Nosferatu being the first, though it was unauthorized). Anyway, this film is the first Universal horror film, released in February 1931. The film has great atmosphere, with shots of the castle, shots of spiders, shots of...Armadillos help give the film's touch. The acting is good, especially from Lugosi. He has that stare that gives you the feel he is Dracula. The others do great, especially Renfield. The movie may not be all accurate to the book, but it is still a great horror film.

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.