The Black Cat (1934) Universal
Directed by Edgar G. Ulmer
Screenplay by Peter Ruric, Story by Edgar G. Ulmer & Peter Ruric, Contributing Writer Tom Kilpatrick (uncredited), Suggested by a story by Edgar Allan Poe
Cinematography by John J. Mescall
Music by Heinz Roemheld (uncredited)
CAST: Boris Karloff (Hjalmar Poelzig), Bela Lugosi (Dr. Vitus Werdegast), Davide Manners (Peter Alison), Julie Bishop (Joan Alison), Lucille Lund (Karen), John Carradine (Cult Organist/uncredited), Symona Boniface (Cultist/uncredited).
This pre-code Universal horror film is to this day, in a class by itself. Not only is it the best film that stars both Karloff & Lugosi, but it was Universal’s most successful film of 1934. It was also one of the earliest movies to contain a score throughout the majority of the production.
The subject matter was untried ground and was handled masterfully by Ulmer with the aid of Karloff and Lugosi’s splendid acting. A high point in both of their careers that would never be repeated, either together or separately.
Both actors were fully immersed in their characters and it is eerie to watch them as they play a game of cat and mouse while the guests in the house remain unaware of the pending danger. Both David Manners and Julie Bishop give restrained performances that underscore the unsettling atmosphere that surrounds their host.
Lucille Lund plays an eerie part in the proceeding, but the film should be viewed with little knowledge of the story. So, for those of you who have not seen the film, suffice it to say that it is more than a little ahead of its time. This is a true must see classic.
Facts, Rumors & Hearsay
“I really think the reason you remember me is because I went to bed with Boris Karloff.” Lucille Lund
Boris Karloff’s character is named after the Austrian architect and art director, Hans Poelzig. Poelzig worked on The Golem (1920), and Edgar G. Ulmer was the set designer.
Censors in Italy, Finland and Austria banned the movie outright, while others required cuts of the more gruesome sequences.