Murders in the Rue Morgue: Mess or Masterpiece?
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- čas přidán 11. 09. 2024
- Today we are exploring the eerie and enigmatic world of Murders in the Rue Morgue, a classic horror film from 1932 that’s often overlooked in the Universal horror lineup, but trust me, it’s a hidden gem you don’t want to miss.
Murders in the Rue Morgue is the third Universal horror film of the 1930s, following Dracula and Frankenstein. In fact, the director of Murders in the Rue Morgue, Robert Florey, almost directed Frankenstein, with Bela Lugosi as the lead.
Set in 19th century Paris, where Robert Florey himself is from, Murders in the Rue Morgue is a pre-code film starring Bela Lugosi that revolves around a mad scientist who murders women to mix their blood with a gorilla for his wild experiments.
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I really like this film. Can't go wrong with classic Universal and Bela. Great atmosphere in this one.
Bela Lugosi is a true master of menace. There were a few quirks in this film, as mentioned, but it was still a pretty good follow-up to "Dracula." I've seen this film quite a few times, and besides some unintentional humour, it's a tidy bit of horror film nostalgia. Thanks, Antonia Carlotta. Ciao -- W
One of my favorites. I wouldn't quite call it a masterpiece, but it's a very long way from a hot mess.
Good review, Antonia.
Thank you Antonia for the review of this lesser known horror movie!
I saw this movie a long time ago when I was a kid. I remember the gorilla. I have the DVD and I'll have to watch it again. 💀
I love how many of these 1930s horror movies claim to be "Based on the story by Edgar Allan Poe" and it's really just the title and maybe one plot device
Murders in the Rue Morgue is an AMAZING horror film. Bela Lugosi is outstanding in this movie!
One of the very first horror films I saw as a child in the mid late 50's on Shock Theater, a Friday night favorite of mine. I love this film as it is one of the most atmospheric horror films ever. I tend to overlook some of weaker points in the film and view it as a whole, and as such, it is one of my all time favorites.
I wouldn't say it's one of my favourites, but it's certainly interesting as an early experiment in whatever this "horror" genre was that Universal was building. What probably hurt it and all the other non-monster horror movies is there being no monster character to pin the story around. Yes, Dr. Mirakle and Hjalmar Poelzig and Saul are scary characters, but they're not Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, or The Mummy.
I really like this one, I remember seeing it as part of the 60s Shock Theatre films. Like you mentioned, not many people seem to have heard of it. It has a great creepy atmosphere. Thanks!
To me it is a masterpiece. Very enjoyable and informative video as usual!
I saw this movie years ago. I have a Bela Lugosi DVD collection that has this movie on it. I'll have to check it out again..... maybe some night when I am in the mood to watch something different
Whenever I watch this one I get sad knowing while Bela is filming this, across the lot Karloff is filming Frankenstein and about to become the big star that Bela wanted to be
The truth is, Lugosi was his literal own worst enemy. He not only refused to try to become fluent in English, learning much of his dialogue phonetically, but he never tried to tone down the heavy Hungarian accent. Many European stars did a very good job of both becoming totally fluent in English, & also of lightening up the odd-sounding pronunciations. He refused to even try, surrounding himself with Hungarian cronies, & speaking his native language almost exclusively when not working. It fed into his mystique as Dracula, because the accent & the sing-song inflections to his English dialogue seemed correct for the character. But this style of expression severely limited his ability to fit into other parts. 🧛♂️
In addition, his lack of English literacy led to deep paranoia on his part. Unable to understand any overheard conversation on set, he came to believe that everyone was plotting against him, planning to steal his scenes & undercut his dialogue. Remember that Howard Hawks encouraged his performers to overlap their lines, making conversational scenes seem more natural, as we all interrupt others while talking. This really caught on as a technique with other directors, as they saw its on-screen efficacy. Lugosi only saw this as sabotage, being unable to take in any explanations of the new ways. So he became quite combative & hard to work with. Directors naturally preferred Karloff, who was not only a native English speaker, but a very charming gentleman, to boot. He always went out of his way to be pleasant with Lugosi, but I believe he got precious little thanks for it. 😒
I watched this again recently. The overall design more than make up for the flaws in the script. The shot of Sidney Fox on the swing that you briefly show at 2:59 seems ahead of its time for the early 1930s.
The injection scene is still shocking.
A good one and Lugosi great.
I like this film more every time I watch it. It's Pre-code vibe is very palpable and it would be great to see the original version. The Region B Blu ray has the re-edit that makes it a bit more coherent.
You rule! Thanks for all this. I love this old shit.
Thx for pointing out this hidden gem! I like it! Maybe a film where King Kong took inspiration from?
2 b Fair, it served as the Missing Link between Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) & KING KONG (1933). Lemme Explain, all 3 films end w the Monster carrying the Girl on Rooftops in 3 Forms. As a Sleepwalker, a Chimp, & a Giant Gorilla 🦍 Coincidence?
The girl strapped to the X-shaped cross reappeared in The Black Cat (1934). 🐈⬛
Eric gave Erics a bad name
When is comes to Edgar Allan Poe, EVERYTHING is loosely based. Perhaps you are familiar with his alter ego, Vincent Price?
I have never figured out why Bela Lugosi made so many films with gorillas.
I really like this film, but really wish the comedic bits had been left out. They seem out of place considering the film’s dark scenes and overall theme.
Leon Ames did not get billing.
He did. Ames was known as Leon Waycoff in this movie. Third billing behind Sidney Fox (!) and Bela.
...and Arlene Francis played the streetwalker, experimented on by Lugosi. She, of "What's My Line" fame...
Not for those who watch T.C.M.It's been played there.
You look like Kamala Harris.