SpuffyWeb Sadly Over-hyped

Dirtylogy It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

Humaira Grant It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

Jonah Abbott There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

Zoooma Excellent little horror film directed by the amazingly talented Michael Curtiz, the same man who would later give up Casablanca amongst many other classic films.The story is a genre mashup of gangster and horror and at only about 1 hour 5 minutes, there isn't much time to lag. With such a skilled eye behind the camera, we are treated to a film that does not bore.Boris Karloff is the star and he does such a great job of bringing fright to the picture. For someone interested in the acting of Karloff or the films of Curtiz, this is a must see!7.0 / 10--A Kat Pirate Screener

utgard14 Ex-convict John Ellman (Boris Karloff) is framed by crooked lawyer Nolan (Ricardo Cortez) and executed for a murder he didn't commit. Scientist Dr. Beaumont (Edmund Gwenn) uses electricity to bring Ellman back to life. But he doesn't come back right. He's seemingly mentally impaired yet out for revenge for those he holds responsible for what happened to him. Fantastic Karloff movie. Sort of a combo horror and gangster flick. Karloff would do many more movies with similar plots over the years but never quite this good. Part of what makes it so good is the excellent direction of Michael Curtiz. The "kills" are staged in very clever ways, implying some kind of divine justice. Also, Karloff's performance is very sympathetic and you really root for this guy because he was so badly treated by slimy Cortez. Great WB supporting cast includes Barton MacLane and Henry O'Neill. A real treat and a must-see for Karloff fans.

AaronCapenBanner Michael Curtiz directed this beautifully filmed story of poor luckless John Elman(played superbly by Boris Karloff) who was framed by racketeers for the murder of a judge. Elman is then tried and found guilty of murder. Though evidence proving his innocence is found, it arrives too late to save his life. Still, a Dr. Beaumont(played by Edmund Gwenn) has developed a way to bring back the recently dead, and resurrects Elman, who resumes his pianist skills to conduct eerie concerts, though also is compelled to confront those responsible for framing him... Again, Boris Karloff is excellent, playing the role for the sympathy and pathos it deserves. Atmospheric and thoughtful; only the highly familiar plot mars this fine film, with a haunting end.

Ben Larson A bit of Frankenstein here, as a doctor (Edmund Gwenn)resurrects a man (Boris Karloff) wrongfully executed. It was fun seeing Oscar winner Gwenn, who I have enjoyed many times as Santa in Miracle on 34th Street.The zombified Karloff knows the people who framed him, but he doesn't know how he knows. He is searching for answers, visiting each of the conspirators, who meet an untimely end.It is all presented as vengeance emanating from the hand of God. Karloff is excellent, and Gwenn was certainly showing the talent that would give him an Oscar later.A fascinating film.