Grimerlana Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike

Pluskylang Great Film overall

AshUnow This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

BelSports This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

Scott LeBrun Running a mere 58 minutes, this is an adaptation of the novel "Balaoo" by Gaston Leroux, best known for his story "The Phantom of the Opera". Rather than being a pure genre picture, it's more of a mystery-drama with a horror element, although a 1942 press release from 20th Century Fox dubbed it "the first horror picture that the studio has ever made". It benefits from sturdy acting in its major roles, especially from the ever reliable George Zucco, and J. Carrol Naish in the central role. It's got effective production values, colourful supporting characters, and appropriately moody cinematography by Virgil Miller. The story, owing more than a little to "The Island of Dr. Moreau", moves along smoothly to a decent finale at an old mill.Scientist Larry Forbes (handsome Shepperd Strudwick) travels to Paris to be with his fiancée Madelon Renault (lovely Lynne Roberts), the niece of a fellow scientist, Dr. Robert Renault (Mr. Zucco). Renault employs a "handyman" named Noel (Mr. Naish), a very strange and hyper- sensitive man. Noel flies off the handle when insulted by cruel Parisians, or when anybody dares to utter anything negative regarding Madelon, whom Noel refers to as "Mademoiselle". Adding further complications is the presence of the thuggish ex-convict Rogell (the great tough guy actor Mike Mazurki).Well done overall, if not particularly memorable, "Dr. Renault's Secret" is well worth seeing for the performance of Naish, who's convincing at every turn. You really feel bad for this character, all the more so when you learn what his back story is. Offering fine support are Mazurki, who's fun to watch, and Arthur Shields as a pragmatic police inspector. Jack Norton delivers some funny comedy relief early in the picture as the drunken Mr. Austin.This is interesting enough and entertaining enough to merit a viewing from dedicated film buffs.Seven out of 10.

iszatso Nice play on the topics of mind control and re animations of the sort that Noel received from the Doctor. Left standing at the end is the paradox of who actually killed the man in the hotel in the film's early scenes. And the depraved acting of the human who abducts the girl contrasts nicely with the animal instincts of Noel. In the 1940's with science advancing quickly on the workings of the mind the dichotomy between man and animal is revealed. Who are the real animals in the movie? Movies of this genre who leave you smiling through the horror of it all are fun fill in for our contemporary modern day culture. (with all of its' incipient horrors...)

dbdumonteil Why does the story take place in France?The atmosphere of the inn where Larry enters at the beginning of the film is more that of an English pub : a customer playing darts in a French café?The same goes for the Bastille Day celebration : the dances are closer to American country and western than to French Valses Musette ;and where are the fireworks?the firecrackers?This is minor quibble;only a French can notice such things.J.Caroll Naish 's part is not unlike Peter Lorre's tormented characters.The script is some cross between "Frankenstein" and "Beauty and the Beast" ,and is thus rather derivative.But as the movie is short (less than an hour ,probably part of a double-feature at the time) ,we are not bored at all.

cliff-p I watched this movie on a videotape which was rather dark but I enjoyed the film. I have been watching horror films for 45 years and through the miracle of NTSC imports, I'm trying to catch up with those that I have missed. And I'm seeing some stinkers! This however is a reasonable example of the genre, the standouts being Arthur Sheilds, J.Carrol Naish and Mike Mazurki. Unusually, George Zucco hasn't got much to do in the title role. Noel the ape-man is very fortunate and obviously a skilful driver as he handles the Rolls Phantom II very well and can see round corners (when he avoids the dog). Very useful. Not a film for those who are not connoiseurs. Also not much effort given to the cliche creepy bits, but definitely miles better than a Monogram effort.