Below, Blasko aka: Olt in 1912:
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However, before that first motion picture, there was the "First World War". Using his full birth name, Blasko enlisted in the Austrian-Hungarian Army in 1914, serving first as an "Infantry Lieutenant", and being promoted to a "Captain" in the "Ski Patrol". He received a "Wounded Warrior" metal, while serving on the Russian Front, and left the military in 1916.
In 1917, Bela married Ilona Szmick, who, sadly, would loose their unborn baby.
Returning to Arsztid Olt's film career, eleven Hungarian feature films followed 1917's, "Leoni Leo". Two stand-out to English film goers. The actor portrayed "Lord Henry Wotton", in director Alfred Deesy's, "Az elet kiralya (The Royal Life)", a Hungarian adaption of playwright Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray", released in Budapest, on January 21, 1918.
Above, Arsztid Olt with Foldvary Jozef (actually Herbert Dan) portraying "Dorian Gray".
The second feature film was director Alfred Deesy's, 1919 "Casanova", with Olt in the title role, released in Budapest, on January 18, 1919.
On March 21, 1919, Hungarian President Mihaly Karolyi was overthrown, and the "Hungarian Soviet Republic", aka: the "Socialist Federative Soviet Republic of Hungary", became the newly created Hungarian State. It was held together by a fragile coalition between the Communists and Socialists, but would be forcibly dissolved five months after being created, on August 1, 1919. As a result, Bela Ferenc Dezso Blasko, had to flee the country over his known "Socialist Activities", and having been directly involved in the revolution.
Taking his wife, the two went to Germany, now under the "Weimer Republic", and he joined their film industry using the name Béla Lugosi, the last name a tribute to the city of his birth.
Lugosi's first German motion picture was "Hypnose: Slaven freedmen Willens (Hypnosis: Slave of a Foreign Will)", released on January 3, 1920.
Above, Béla Lugosi portraying the hypnotist, "Professor Mors", and the motionr, picture's only star, Gertrud de Lalsky, portraying "Kommererzienratin Raven (Councilor Raven)".
Above seated to "Councilor Raven's" right is Violetta Napierska portraying "Eva Hain".
In July 1920, Ilona and Bela would divorce and she would return to Budapest. At this time she still feared for his life in connection with the Hungarian revolution, and the stories of the government hunting down those involved and killing some instead of a trial.
Within Bela Lugosi's 16 additional German motion pictures that followed "Hypnose: Slaven freedmen Willens". There was a two part story, based upon one of American author James Fenimore Cooper's, "Leatherstocking Tales". Part One was released September 14, 1920, in Berlin, Part Two was released in Berlin, on November 10, 1920. In these two pictures, actor Emil Mamelok portrayed "The Deerslayer", and Béla Lugosi portrayed "Chingacook", "The Last of the Mohicans"
According to the website, "The Bela Lugosi Blog" at:
https://beladraculalugosi.wordpress.com/category/ilona-von-montagh/
Bela Lugosi left Europe from the port of Trieste, in Northern Italy, having traded work for passage on the steamship, "Grof Tisza Istvan", becoming part of the merchant ship's crew. Bela arrived in New Orleans, Louisiana, in December 1920, and presented himself to immigration officials on Ellis Island, in New York State, on March 23, 1921. Between those two dates, on January 6, 1921, Hungarian actress, Ilona von Montagh, had arrived in New York City to appear on stage in the Hungarian Theater. Bela would join her, learning the English language as the two performed. In September 1921, Bela married Ilona von Montagh.
His last three motion pictures made in the Weimer Republic, followed his arrival in the United States by as much as 2-years:
"Die Teufelsanbeter", was the earliest, released January 2, 1921. While the third part of a trilogy, entitled, "3. Tell - Die verschwundene Million", was released sometime later in 1921, with Bela as an "American Cowboy".
The last motion picture he made during his time in the Weimer Republic, was "Ihre Hoheit die Tangerine (Her Highness and the Dancer)". The motion picture was initially released November 10, 1922, but was considered too long and a shorten version was released sometime in 1923.
THE SILENT COMMAND released August 9, 1923
It's hard to read on the above poster, but the sixth name belongs to, Bela Lugosi, with full-credit on his 1st American Motion Picture. However, he was billed, thanks to a typo, as Belo Lugosi, on the "Official Cast Listing", portraying "Benedict Hisston".
"Hisston" is part of a foreign plot to destroy both the "Panama Canal" and the "United State Navy's, Atlantic Fleet". He was up against "Captain Richard Decatur", portrayed by Edmond Lowe. Actress, Martha Mansfield portrayed "Peg Williams, the Vamp", used by "Decatur" to catch "Hisston".
Above, left to right, Martha Mansfield, as the "Roaring 20's, Vamp (ire), Edmond Lowe as "Captain Richard Decatur", and Bela (Belo) Lugosi, as "Benedict Hisston". Three feature films followed and then a 20-minute, short subject, 1926's, "Punchinello". Béla Lugosi co-starred portraying "Pierrot (Harlequin)", and the short's director and actor was "Duncan Renaldo", television's future "The Cisco Kid", portraying the title character.
Above left, Duncan Renaldo, right, Béla Lugosi, below, the subject of their fights, Jill Rainsford billed as Rhonda Rainsford
In 1927, Béla Lugosi returned to the American stage, on Broadway, speaking his lines in English, with a slight, pronounced, Hungarian accent, that just added to the believability of his role.
His name was John Lloyd Balderston, he was the head of the London Office of Joseph Pulitzer's "New York World", and had covered the opening of "King Tut's Tomb". He also was a playwright, screenplay writer, and was connected to two classic 1931, "Universal Pictures", horror entries. Along with one, 1932 screenplay, drawn from his Egyptian experiences. The following comes from my article, "John L. Balderston: Writing Classic Fantasy, Horror, and Science Fiction Screenplays", to be read at:
https://www.bewaretheblog.com/2022/08/john-l-balderston-writing-classic.html
Above, John L. Balderston
Irish playwright Hamilton Deane, below, wrote a 1924, adaptation of Irish author Bram Stoker's, 1897 novel "Dracula", and turned it into a successful stage play in the United Kingdom. American publisher and stage producer Horace Liveright had acquired the rights to Deane's play.
The problem with bringing Deane's play to the United States was the colloquial language used and the references to United Kingdom sites within it.
Liveright wanted John Lloyd Balderston to rewrite the play for American audiences.
Balderston's revised version of Deane's play premiered on Broadway in October 1927, and would run for 261 performances. Playing the title character was Hungarian actor, Blaskó Béla Ferenc Dezső, using his stage name of Bela Lugosi.
Returning to this article:
Bela Lugosi continued in silent motion pictures, and moved to sound. In 1929's, "The Veiled Woman", the actor had the role of the leading lady's character "Nanon's, murdered suitor".
You won't find Bela Lugosi's name on his next motion picture, 1929's, part silent-part talkie, "The Last Performance". Which starred Berlin born Conrad Veidt, "Cesare, the Somnambulist", in the 1920, German silent classic, "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari", and "Universal Picture's",1928's version of Victor Hugo's, "The Man Who Laughs", portraying the dual character of "Gwynplaine/Lord Chancharlie". Why is there no on-screen credit for Bela?
Because he provided Veidt's voice for the Hungarian part sound dub of the motion picture. It should be noted that "Mary Philbin, 1925's, "The Phantom of the Opera", portrayed the women "Veidt" loves.
In 1916, American playwright, Batard Veiller, had written the locked room mystery, "The Thirteenth Chair". Which starred his London born wife, actress Margaret De Wolf Wycherly. The fact that she was in both the stage and the sound 1929 film versions of her husband's play is not really of interest here, but two names are for that 1929 movies. The first was the producer and director. shown on the following poster.
The other name on Tod Browning's first sound motion picture is not shown of the above ad/poster. Taking a break from appearing on stage as "Dracula", Bela Lugosi became "Inspector Delzante", a character name changed to explain the actor's heavy Hungarian accent.
Above, Helene Millard portraying "Mary Eastwood", and Bela Lugosi
In July, 1929, Bela Lugosi married his 3rd wife, Beatrice Woodruff Weeks, in December, 1929, they divorced.
Six more completely forgotten small roles, one for the Hungarian version of 1930's, "King of Jazz", that had featured "Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra", who would make the first recording of composer George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue", and "The Rhythm Boys", a trio with a completely unknown singer named Bing Crosby.
In 1931, Carl Leammle Jr. acquired the rights to Bram Stoker's novel, he hired "Pulitzer Prize" winning novelist Louis Bromfeld. It turned out to be a mistake, his screenplay was two complex and involved not one, but two "Dracula's", a ghoulish old man at the films beginning, a younger man afterwards. Bromfeld was replaced by Garrett Fort, who turned to the stage play for ideas. This brought both John L. Balderston and Hamilton Deane in on the screenplay.
Todd Browning was hired to direct, but the big question still remained, who would portray the title role? Initially, Conrad Veidt was hired, but he was afraid his German accent was not good enough for American audiences and returned to Germany. Next, "Universal Pictures" wanted producer Irving Grant Thalberg's "Man of a Thousand Faces", but Lon Chaney was under contract to "Metro-Goldwyn Mayer"and they wouldn't let him go to a rival, and smaller, studio.
Among the established actors considered for the role were Paul Muni, Paul Lukas, and even Chester Morris, but without results and the search continued as Browning started shooting footage. The stage play came to Los Angeles and it gave Bela Lugosi the chance to push for the film role. He might be a Broadway actor, but he didn't have the motion picture actor's recognition of a Joseph Schildraut, who turned it down.
However, Bela's persistence finally paid off and he became "Count Dracula". In a motion picture that was almost like the Broadway production with only small changes, but even on film, still looking like a stage play. Yet, Bela Lugosi's performance became legendary, and the actor would forever be associated with that role, but perhaps to his detriment.
This article will look at the actor's other roles. Which were not always as recognizable as the "Sayer of the Law", in 1932's, "Island of Lost Souls", "Count Mora", in Tod Browning's remake of his 1927 silent, "London After Midnight", now called 1935's, "Mark of the Vampire", and "Ygor" in 1939's, "Son of Frankenstein".
Over his motion picture career, Bela Lugosi made many low-budget film's. Some of these were good, some were not. I have chosen 17 out of his total of 113 features, not a large percentage, but a good selection of his work. Of an actor whose last film role was completed by his 5th-wife, Hope Lininger's, chiropractor, Tom Mason, in producer and director Ed Wood's classic (?) science fiction, 1957's, "Plan 9 From Outer Space".
I start in the very productive year for the actor of 1932, with the:
MURDERS IN THE RUE MORGUE that premiered in Middletown, New York, on January 27, 1932
This was Bela Lugosi's 5th motion picture after "Dracula", and two of the other four were uncredited roles.
There were four writers involved in bringing the Edgar Allan Poe short story to the motion picture screen.
Robert Flory adapted the Poe story for a screenplay. He had been an uncredited contributor to 1931's, "Frankenstein", whose main writer had been John L. Balderston adapting a play by Peggy Webling.
Tom Reed had done the titles on 1925's, "The Phantom of the Opera", as his first writing assignment for "Universal Pictures". He would do the same for the silent sequences for 1929's, "The Last Performance", and was one of the screenplay writers for director James Whale's, 1931 classic war time love story, "Waterloo Bridge", starring Mae Clarke, his original "Elizabeth Frankenstein". My article that contains that movie is "JAMES WHALE: Jean Harlow to Louis Hayward" to be read at:
https://www.bewaretheblog.com/2020/07/james-whale-jean-harlow-to-louis-hayward.html
Dale Van Every had also adapted the W. S. Van Dyke novel, "Trader Horn" into the 1932 screenplay for the Harry Carey, Sr. and Duncan Renaldo motion picture version.
This was only the 4th writing assignment for future film director, John Huston. His 1st directing assignment was the 1941, "The Maltese Falcon", starring Humphrey Bogart, which he was the only screenplay writer on the Dashiell Hammett novel.
Robert Flory also directed the feature film and the following paragraph comes from my article about make-up artist "Jack P. Pierce the Man Who Created Monsters" found at:
https://www.bewaretheblog.com/2015/06/jack-p-pierce-man-who-created-monsters.html
- - - - and than a little Edgar Allan Poe with 1932's the "Murders in the Rue Morgue" released in February. This film is by itself interesting. Even in a Pre-Code era the original running time of 80 minutes was cut to 61, because Carl Laemmal, Jr's. concerns over the violence level. Unfortunately this footage is lost to the ages. The film was made as a peace offering to both Bela Lugosi, who was to have played Henry Frankenstein, and director Robert Florey, who was to have directed "Frankenstein" and was replaced, for no known reason, by James Whale.
The Main Cast:
Sidney Fox portrayed "Mlle. Camille L'Espanaye". A young actress named Bette Davis auditioned for the role, but according to director Flory, Carl Laemmle, Jr. thought Davis lacked "Sex Appeal", and the role went to Fox. The "open secret" was that Fox was "Junior's" mistress. Sidney Fox had just co-starred with Paul Lukas and Lewis Stone, in 1931's, "Strictly Dishonorable". She died of an "accidental" overdose of sleeping pills", in 1942, at the age of 34.
Above, Sidney Fox and Bela Lugosi
Harry Leon Wycoff, the future Leon Ames, portrayed "Pierre Dupin", the only character close to the original Poe story. However, he is switched from "C. Auguste Dupin", a professional private detective, to "Pierre Dupin", a medical student, who likes to play at being a detective. This was Wycoff's 2nd film, and there would be 25 more, before he became Leon Ames.
Above, Leon Wycoff and Sidney Fox
Bert Roach portrayed "Paul". Roach had been acting on-screen since 1914. and had just been seen in the Ronald Colman and Helen Hayes, 1931 version of Sinclair Lewis's, "Arrowsmith", directed by John Ford.
Above left to right, Leon Wycoff, Sidney Fox, and Bert Roach
Betty Ross Clarke portrayed "Mme. L'Espanaye". The 1917, Broadway Dancer and small role player, first appeared on-screen in 1920. Clarke had just been seen in 1931's, "The Age of Love", starring Billy Dove and the future "B" Western series hero, "The Durango Kid", Charles Starrett. Betty Ross Clarke would become Mickey Rooney's, "Aunt Millie" in the first two "Andy Hardy" movies.
Above, Sidney Fox and Betty Ross Clarke
Four Other Players of Interest:
Noble Johnson portrayed "Janos - the Black One". My reader might not know his name, but you know his face, if you saw 1933's, "King Kong". Noble Johnson was actually a major leader in the budding African American film industry and my article is "Noble Johnson African-American Pioneer Actor", his real story to discover at:
https://www.bewaretheblog.com/2015/06/noble-johnson-african-american-pioneer.html
Above, Bela Lugosi and Noble Johnson
Arlene Francis portrayed the "Woman of the Streets". This was the first of her motion picture roles and in 1938, as a member of Orson Welles's "Mercury Theatre", she appeared in his "Too Much Johnson" and was heard on his radio series. That same year, she became the hostess of the radio game show, "What's My Line", for the next 11-years into 1949. When "What's My Line" switched to television in 1950, she was one of the regular panelists through its cancellation in 1967.
Above in the fog, Bela Lugosi and Arlene Francis
Three Actors without known photos from this feature:
Charlotte Henry portrayed the uncredited, "Blonde Girl in Sideshow Audience". This was her 7th motion picture, and that included 1931's, "Arrowsmith", and the Jackie Coogan, "Uncles Fester" on television's "The Adams Family" 1964-1966, "Huckleberry Finn". I could not locate any photos of her, but my article is "Charlotte Henry: 1933' 'Alice in Wonderland' and 1934's, 'Babes in Toyland', that starred Laurel and Hardy, at:
https://www.bewaretheblog.com/2021/06/charlotte-henry-1933s-alice-in.html
Iron Eyes Cody portrayed the uncredited "Indian at Sideshow". There also are no definitive photo's of Cody in the movie. He is considered one of "Hollywood's Great Native American Actor's" and members of several tribes were present at his funeral. It was only there, that the truth came out, his parent's were both born in Sicily, and had migrated to the United States and settled in Louisiana.
Charles Gemora portrayed "Erik, the Gorilla". Gemora was known for portraying "Gorilla's" in 1930's and 1940's movies, but he also was a make-up artist and was the main, but uncredited, make-up artist on 1932's "Island of Lost Souls". Gemore, later portrayed one of the aliens in the cult 1958, science fiction classic, "I Married a Monster from Outer Space".
The Basic Story:
The tie to Edgar Allan Poe's short story, really ends with the title of the motion picture.
His father owned the studio and got top billing, but it was really "Junior" who was behind the sound horror movies "Universal Pictures" first turn out. He had to convince "Dad" to gamble on making both 1931's, "Frankenstein" and "Dracula", which "Senior" thought would be a waste of money.
In 1845 Paris, there is a carnival and one of the side-show performances is by a "Dr. Mirakle", who has a "Talking Gorilla" named "Erik". In actuality, the gorilla, some sites call an orangutang, just makes grunts and other sounds, but "Mirakle" claims that he understands the other's language and translates it to the human audience.
Visiting the carnival are "Mlle. Camille L'Espanaye", her fiancé "Pierre Dupin", and their two friends, "Paul", and "Magnette", portrayed by the uncredited Edna Marion, in the last of her 66-movie roles.
The visit leads to "Erik" grabbing "Camille's" bonnet,
"Pierre" attempts to get the bonnet from the ape, and is almost strangled to death. "Dr. Mirakle" apologizing for "Erik's" strange behavior to "Pierre" and wanting to replace the bonnet. Asks "Camille" for her address, but she is suspicious of the doctor's request and refuses. As the four leave, "Mirakle" has "Janos" follow her to obtain that address.
"Dr. Mirakle" is of course a mad scientist, who injects captured women, like the "Woman of the Streets", with ape blood, attempting to create the perfect mate for "Erik".
Meanwhile, the body of the prostitute is discovered and medical student/detective "Pierre Dupin" discovers a foreign substance in her blood. He follows his discovery by examining the other murdered bodies blood, finding the same foreign substance.
Next, "Mirakle" visits "Camille" and asks her to visit "Erik" again, but she refuses. This is followed by "Mirakle" sending "Erik" to bring "Camille" to him, and both "Camille" and her mother disappear.
The police speak to three witnesses, an Italian, a German, and a Danish man, who live in the women's apartment house. This is the only direct sequence from the Poe story. Each witness has the same story, they didn't know what happened to the two women, but they heard someone speaking in a foreign language.
Searching the apartment, the body of "Camille's" mother is found stuffed in the chimney clutching ape fur. "Pierre" deduces that "Erik" is involved and they head for "Dr. Mirakle's" hideout. With the police arriving, the ape turns on, and kills, "Mirakle". "Erik", with the fainted "Camille", heads for the roof of the building with the police and "Janos" following. The police shoot and kill "Janos" on the roof top, and "Pierre" confronts and shoots "Erik", saving his fiancee.
As of this writing the following link will take my reader to the 1932 motion picture, "Murders in the Rue Morgue".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dAaThXbCNM
The next motion picture was made by the long forgotten, "Halperin Productions". Which was under the ownership of stage actor, stage director, and this film's director and producer, Victor Hugo Halperin, but was for a time it was a major independent production company.
The following film description is modified from my article "ZOMBIES and Their Motion Picture Variations 1932 to 1968" found at:
https://www.bewaretheblog.com/2019/02/zombies-and-their-motion-picture.html
"White Zombie" is considered the first motion picture to deal with Zombies. The motion picture was released on July 28, 1932, and starred a perfectly cast Bela Lugosi.
Note: how Bela was billed on the following poster.
After this picture, Bela would be seen in Paramount Pictures, 1932, "Island of Lost Souls" based upon the H.G. Wells novel "The Island of Dr. Moreau" and starring Charles Laughton in that role. That screenplay was written by Science Fiction author Philip Wylie. Who would co-write and publish, in 1933, the classic novel "When Worlds Collide".
In this motion picture Bela Lugosi portrayed Voodoo master "Murder Legendre".
The original story and screenplay for "White Zombie" was by Garrett Weston. He would only have another twenty-six screen credits, mostly for formula stories, after moving to Paramount Studios. These included the detective series "Bulldog Drummond" and "B" Westerns based upon Zane Grey stories.
This feature came from producer Edward Halperin and his brother director Victor. The next movie for the brothers and writer Weston was 1933's, "Supernatural". Which was about a young women, played by actress Carole Lombard, who becomes possessed by the spirit of a women who killed three of her former lovers. The picture co-starred a young Randolph Scott.
The "White Zombie" of this film's title was actress Marge Bellamy as "Madeleine Short". Bellamy was a silent film star who didn't make the transition to sound very well. On January 20, 1943, Marge was involved in a scandal that ended her career. In San Francisco, she had tracked down her former lover. On a crowded street she fired a .32 caliber revolver three times at his car with him inside. When arrested, Bellamy stated she didn't intend to shoot him, as she was known as a crack shot, but to let him know how she felt about his ending their affair.
Marge's leading man portraying "Neil Parker", was John Harron. Between 1918 and 1940 he would appear in 172 feature films. Below Harron and Bellamy.
Robert W. Frazer was Plantation Owner "Charles Beaumont". His second feature film had been the 1912 "Robin Hood" and Beaumont would also portray "Rob Roy" in 1913. Both movies ran under thirty minutes. On August 17, 1944 the 53 year old actor died from Leukemia.
Joseph Cawthron played a missionary to Haiti named "Dr. Bruner". Cawthron was actually a stage and movie comic actor and being in this film was totally bizarre.
The movie was very moody and was shot at night to save money. The shoot was divided between the Universal Studio's lot, the RKO-Pathe Studio, and what had become a major motion picture location, Bronson Canyon. The production was Pre-Code (The Motion Picture Code of 1934) which still meant anything goes. For example Cecil B. DeMille's biblical epic "Sign of the Cross" released before "White Zombie", in February, had totally naked women in scenes including one of the leads.
On arrival in Haiti, "Madeleine Short", reunites with her bank employee fiancé "Neil Parker" to be married. On their way to the home of wealthy plantation owner "Charles Beaumont". The couple's coach passes White Zombie Master "Murder Legendre", who seems to take an interest in them.
"Beaumont" has been in love with "Madeleine", but she loves "Neil". So "Beaumont" decides to visit the Sugar Cane Plantation of "Legendre", which is run entirely by his Zombies.
"Murder" tells "Charles" that the only way to overcome the situation and make "Madeleine" love him. Is to use a potion that places her in a Zombie like trance. "Beaumont" agrees and is given the potion. He places it in her drink during the wedding reception and "Madeleine" appears to die and is buried.
After the burial, "Murder" and "Charles" go to "Madeleine's" tomb, open it, and bring her back to semi-life as a Zombie. 
Time passes and "Neil" in a drunken state has visions of "Madeleine".
"Neil" decides to go to her tomb to look upon her face once more, but discovers that it is empty.
"Neil" next goes to the missionary "Dr. Bruner" and learns how "Legendre" turned many of his rivals into Zombie slaves. The two men head for "Charles Beaumont's" plantation house. Where "Charles" has been having regrets over what he had "Murder" do to "Madeleine". She roams the house without emotion and performs his every wish, but this was not what "Beaumont" had wanted.
As "Neil" approaches "Murder Legendre's" fortress like home. The other senses him and orders "Madeleine" to kill him.
From behind a curtain "Dr. Bruner's" hand reaches out and makes her drop the knife. She then turns and walks away as if nothing happened. "Neil" follows "Madeleine" to an escarpment were "Murder" and some of his Zombies are standing. The Zombie Master orders the zombies to kill "Neil".
"Dr. Bruner" knocks "Murder" out breaking the Zombie Master's control. The now confused Zombies fall off the escarpment. While "Legendre" is reviving, "Charles" appears from the house. "Beaumont" pushes "Murder Legendre" off the escarpment and looses his own footing falling to his own death. "Madeleine" is now released from her zombie state and seeing "Neil" embraces him.
There are three edits of this picture. As originally edited the movie ran 70 minutes in 1932. The second edit was two minutes shorter and was used upon the pictures first re-release. This change was due to censorship from the now enforced Motion Picture Code and the third was one more minute shorter at 67 minutes.
In 1985, the Heavy Metal band "White Zombie" took their name from this film.
At the time of writing this article, the following link takes my reader to 1932's, "White Zombie".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKLVDuIkjU0
Bela Lugosi, was about to work for his 3rd motion picture studio in three 1932 films. "Murders in the Rue Morgue" had been for "Universal Pictures", "White Zombie" was released through "United Artists", and now he moved to the "Fox Film Corporation" for:
CHANDU THE MAGICIAN which premiered in Hollywood, on August 4, 1932
What is interesting in the above poster is how Bela Lugosi's face dominates it.
Starting in 1931 on KHJ radio in Los Angeles, was a supernatural radio drama, about "Frank Chandler", who learned mystical arts, such as astro-projection, and had the secret identity of "Chandu", to fight crime and evil doers such as "Baron Roxor". The original radio series lasted into 1936, and returned to radio in 1948, with a new cast, through 1950. In July 1963, in Stan Lee's, "Marvel Comics", Steve Ditko, turned "Chandu the Magician", into "Dr. Stephen Vincent Strange".
The screenplay was based upon the radio scripts written by Harry A. Earnshaw, Vera M. Oldham, and R. R. Morgan.
That screenplay was written by Barry Connors, he co-wrote the 1931, "Charlie Chan" film, "The Black Camel", that co-starred Warner Oland and Bela Lugosi. Philip Klein was Connor's co-writer on this feature, "The Black Camel", and the 1931, Edmund Lowe mystery, "The Spider".
There were two directors on the picture, the main one was William Cameron Menzies. Among his films was 1936's, "Things to Come", from a screenplay written by H. G. Wells. Menzies directed the burning of Atlanta, in 1939's, "Gone with the Wind", and was both the art director and film director on the science fiction classic, 1953's, "Invaders from Mars". My article is "William Cameron Menzies: Art Director, Production Designer and Motion Picture Director" at:
https://www.bewaretheblog.com/2022/09/william-cameron-menzies-art-director.html
The other director was Paris, France, born Marcel Varnel, the was only his second motion picture.
The Film Cast:
Edmund Lowe portrayed "Frank Chandler" aka: "Chandu the Magician". Lowe started on-screen in 1915, in 1926 the actor appeared opposite Victor McLaglen in director Raoul Walsh's, still classic, "What Price Glory?". This propelled the actor into leading roles in both movies and on radio, where his age wasn't a problem. By 1944, he smartly shifted into strong supporting roles knowing he had outlived his romantic leading actor roles from much earlier. Lowe's last on-screen appearance was in 1960's. "Heller in Pink Tights", starring Sophia Loren and Anthony Quinn.
Irene Ware portrayed "Princess Nadji". Her first on-screen appearance was just before this picture, 1932's, "Society Girl", she's in the film, but there is no record of portraying what role. She went from 2nd-billing to 6th, portraying "A Prostitute", in 1932's, "6 Hours to Live", and her final role was also with 6th-billing in 1940's, "Outside the Three-Mile Limit". However, Ware was the leading lady in 1935's, "The Raven", starring "KARLOFF" and Bela (Dracula) Lugosi.
Bela Lugosi portrayed "Roxor". Lugosi followed this film with a small role in a very fast paced, funny, murder mystery, 1932's, "Death Kiss". Besides, Bela, from 1931's, "Dracula", in that picture are David Manners, the main star, and Edward Van Sloan. The three having fun with a movie about a murder during the making alf movie. As of this writing, my reader can find that film at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpujG_DTrLE
Henry B. Walthall portrayed "Robert Regent". Walthall was a favorite actor of D. W. Griffith, and was the leading actor in 1915's, "Birth of a Nation". He was "Sir James Hamlin", in director Tod Browning's, 1927, "London After Midnight". That role, and a look at Bela Lugosi in Browning's remake are found in my article "Tod Browning: Lon Chaney Meets Bela Lugosi: A Tale of Two Motion Pictures" at:
https://www.bewaretheblog.com/2019/11/tod-browning-lon-chaney-meets-bela.html
The Basic Story:
On October 1, 1932, "The New York Times", described "Chandu, the Magician" as a:
whooping entertainment for the children and a series of naïvely juvenile escapades for the grown-ups
Today, my reader might look down on this story, but it is considered the "First Superhero Motion Picture", and is also known as a pre-motion picture code, fantasy, horror, and mystery. Whatever way my reader views the feature film, it was in the very capable hands of William Cameron Menzies.
"Frank Chandler" has studied Eastern Magic with the Yogi's of India for the past three years, and has been given the name of "Chandu".
"Frank Chandler" now has the power to teleport, astral project, mesmerize, and project illusions. His teacher has told "CHANDU" to:
Go forth with his youth and strength to conquer the evil that threatens mankind.
The evil he must face is in Egypt, and has the name of "Roxor", a megalomaniac Egyptian.
The following was used by the "Pittsburgh Press", on September 30, 1932, to draw audiences into a local movie theatre, "The Fulton".
Below, another still of Bela as "Roxor" with his death ray.
Not to worry by dear reader, as "Good" will triumph over "Evil", by film's end. The following link, at the time of this writing, will take you to the full 71-minutes of good old fashion fun.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqNCtfCCZV4
Two-years-later, and Bela Lugosi switched from the evil villain to the mystic hero, "Frank Chandler", in the 12-Chapter "Cliff-Hanger", "The Return of Chandu, the Magician".
The actor finished 1932, at his 5th different studio, "Paramount Pictures", for his 5th motion picture in the "Island of Lost Souls".
In January, 1933, 51-years-old Bela Lugosi, married his 4th wife, 22-years-old, Lillian Arch, and the two would have a son, Bela George Lugosi.
Back on February 18, 1933, "Warner Brothers" released "Mystery of the Wax Museum", starring Lionel Atwill and Fay Wray. I look at that feature and some others will be found in my article "Fay Wray Before 'King Kong"at:
https://www.bewaretheblog.com/2015/11/fay-wray-before-king-kong.html
Any of my readers familiar with "Mystery of the Wax Museum", or it's later revision, 1953's, 3-D, "House of Wax", knows the story concerns murders being disguised as wax statues in a wax museum. In the 1930's "borrowing" ideas was not uncommon.
THE WHISPERING SHADOW Chapter 1 of 12 was released on April 18, 1933
The serial came from "Mascot Pictures", that was known for both "Cliff Hanger's" and "B" Westerns. In another two years, the company would disappear, merged with others to form "Republic Pictures".
This production required five-writers, Barney A. Sarecky, who started out with the 1930, Richard Dix, crime film, "Shooting Straight", George Morgan, who started with the 1913 short, "The Reporter's Scoop"starring himself, Norman S. Hall, who started with the updated, 1933 modern version, of the "Three Musketeers", with a 4th-billed, John Wayne and Creighton Chaney before he became Lon Chaney, Jr. , Colbert Clark started with 1931's, "The Lightning Warrior", starring Rin-Tin-Tin and Frankie Darro, before he wore "Robby the Robot's" suit for 1956's, "Forbidden Planet", and the last writer was Wyndham Gittens, who started by both writing and directing, 1917's, "The Ship of Doom".
The production had two-directors, Colbert Clark was both a writer and the main director. He had directed 1933's, "The Three Musketeers", just before this serial. Albert Herman started directing shorts in 1912. Starting in 1927, with "Mickey's Circus", he directed 41-Micky McQuire comedy shorts, before McQuire's last name was changed to Roony.
Bela Lugosi portrayed "Professor Adam Anton Strang". For the actor, this serial was followed by a 10-minute short, "Hollywood on Parade No. A-8". That had six very recognizable "Hollywood Actors" appearing as themselves. Plus meeting Bonnie Poe, the voice of "Betty Boop", seen as her Max Fleischer character.
While, Bela Lugosi makes a short appearance not as himself,as all the other actors, but "Count Dracula", putting the bite on Bonnie Poe.
Viva Tattersall portrayed "Vera Strang". This was only the second film for the British stage actress, and sculptor. Who has come to the United States to live. In all, she only appeared in 8-feature films.
Malcolm McGregor portrayed "Jack Foster". McGregor began his on-screen career portraying "Captain Fritz von Tarlenheim", in the 1922 version of Anthony Hope's novel, "The Prisoner of Zenda". He ended his film career with the Ray "Crash" Corrigan, "Atlantis" serial, 1936's, "The Undersea Kingdom".
Above, front row left to right, Malcolm McGregor, Viva Tattersall, and Bela Lugosi. Behind McGregor, is Max Wagner portraying "Kruger, Henchmen #6".
Henry B. Walthall portrayed "J. B. Bradley - Company President". Walthall followed this serial with the "B" Western, 1933, "Somewhere in Sonora". Henry B. Walthall had 3rd-billing portraying "Bob Leadly" in the Western, 1st-billing went to John Wayne, and 2nd-billing went to "Wayne's horse, DUKE".
Robert Warwick portrayed "Detective Robert Raymond". Warwick was the police commissioner in 1932's, "Doctor X", he was a Roman general in Cecil B. DeMille's, "Cleopatra", and later would portray "Sir Geoffrey", in 1938's, "Adventures of Robin Hood", among his other roles.
Above, are Bela Lugosi and Robert Warwick. In the above still, notice the human looking parts to the Wax Figure exhibits that are in "Professor Strang's" wax museum. Exhibits, that "Jack Foster" wants to prove contain the bodies of "The Whispering Shadow's"gang's murder victims, including his brother, or is this search just a cover for "Jack" being the criminal mastermind himself?
Which of the above people is the criminal mastermind and scientific genius known as "The Whispering Shadow"? Ask any of his henchmen, and they couldn't tell you, because they have never seen him, or is it her? However, they know he's created a device to kill by radio signal and communicates with them, as he does with television receivers.
What has become obvious, is that this criminal mastermind is after jewels belonging to the Russian Czars hidden somewhere within "J. B. Bradley's", Los Angeles based, "Empire Transport and Storage Company". Whose trucks and warehouse have already been targeted in the criminal's search. Bradley" has reached a breaking point, and hires famed detective "Robert Raymond" to investigate, but is "Raymond" also after the jewels?
According to James "Jim" Judson Harmon, and his co-author, Donald Frank Glut's, 1973, "The Great Movie Serials: Their Sound and the Fury":
This serial is notable for giving the audience false clues, red herrings, and decoy actions. That skillfully seems to make every character have a solid background for of being "The Whispering Shadow".
The following link, as of this writing, takes my reader to the complete 12-Chapter, "The Whispering Shadow" at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1eqNzbcbN4
Changing non-Asian actors into Asian character's goes back into the silent era and lasted into the early 1970's. British born Boris Karloff and Montana born Myrna Loy, became Asian father and daughter in 1932's, "The Mask of Fu Manchu". Karloff also became Chinese American detective, "James Lee Wong". While, Swedish born Warner Oland, became Chinese Hawaiian detective "Charlie Chan", and Hungarian born Peter Lorre, became Japanese detective "Mr. Moto". Probably the most famous Asian change was in 1956, when John Wayne, had his caucasion features changed to Mongolian, to portray the future "Genghis Khan", in producer Howard Hughes's, "The Conqueror".
So, another Hungarian actor, becoming Chinese wasn't out of the question for Bela Lugosi.
THE MYSTERIOUS MR. WONG released December 22, 1934
I've just mentioned 1932's, "The Mask of Fu Manchu", based upon British author Sax Rohmer's, 1932 novel of the same name. Rohmer's, "Yellow Peril (The actual 1897 - 1941 Fear That China/Asia Would Take Over the World)", criminal mastermind is after world domination for the Chinese race. While, mostly forgotten American thriller, crime, and science fiction writer, Harry Stephen Keeler's yellow peril criminal mastermind, "Mr. Wong", is after something smaller, just to rule the fictional Chinese province of "Keelat". The character is not in Keeler's actual story, "The Strange Adventure of the Twelve Coins of Confucius".
The three writers on this "Monogram Picture", were Lew Levenson, who adapted the short story into a screenplay. This was the last of only four films the worked on. Nina Howatt was the main screenplay writer and this was her only motion picture. James Herbuveaux added "additional dialogue", and again, this was his only motion picture.
It should be noted that the motion picture was also released under the title "El Misterioso Mr. Wong", but there is no evidence that other than the Spanish language title. That the movie was reshot, as was the practice at the time, such as with 1931's, "Dracula", with a Spanish language cast, or dubbed, which had just started, into that language.
This motion picture is often confused as being a part of the Boris Karloff, "Mr. Wong" detective series. That first premiered in 1935, with "Mr. Wong Detective".
The motion picture was directed by William Nigh, who started directing movies in 1914. He directed Lon Chaney, in Chinese make-up, as 1927', "Mr. Wu", and the first three "Mr. Wong" detective movies starring Boris Karloff.
The Main Cast:
Bela Lugosi portrayed "Mr. Fu Wong" aka: "Li See". Bela had just been seen in the serial, "The Return of Chandru", and followed this motion picture by co-starring with Edmund Lowe, in the crime drama, 1935's, "The Best Man Wins".
Wallace Ford portrayed "Jason H. 'Jay' Barton". In 1932, Ford portrayed "Phroso" in director Tod Browning's "Freaks". In 1934, he was in director John Ford's, "The Lost Patrol", and he followed this feature, with the Claude Rains, Joan Bennett, and Lionel Atwill's, 1934, "The Man Who Reclaimed His Head".
Arline Judge portrayed "Peg". Judge was just seen in the comedy musical, 1934's, "One Hour Late", and followed this picture with the 1934 comedy musical, "Million Dollar Baby". The comedian was probably best known not for her excellent timing, but, depending upon the source, her seven or eight husbands between 1931 and 1960.
Above, Arline Judge and Wallace Ford
Edward "E." Alyn Warren billed as Fred Warren portrayed "Tsi Tung". The Richmond, Virginia, born actor had portrayed "General Ulysses S. Grant" in director D. W. Griffith's, 1930, "Abraham Lincoln". He was known for his Asian roles, and had portrayed "Lu Chung", in actress Anna May Wong's, 1931, "Daughter of the Dragon", "Go Lo Sung", in 1931's, "The Mask of Fu Manchu", and immediately before this film. Warren portrayed "Ching Lee" in 1934's, "Limehouse Blues".
Pulp fiction refers to a genre of each, action-based stories published in cheaply printed magazines from around 1900 to the 1950s, mostly in the United States.Pulp fiction gets its name from the paper it was printed on. Magazines featuring such stories were typically published using cheap, ragged-edged paper made from wood pulp. These magazines were sometimes called pulps.Pulp fiction created a breeding ground for new and exciting genres. Though the heyday of pulp fiction magazines has passed, their eye-catching covers and dramatic, fast-paced, and simple stories have left behind a legacy that can be seen in today’s movies, TV, books, and comics featuring action heroes and over-the-top villains.
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I am thinking of Briggs, and her, DEAD!
As of this writing, the following link takes my reader to 1936's, "The Phantom Ship" at:
"Robot Spiders", that can either paralyze, or destroy their prey.
However, it is the one discovery that in his curiosity, "Dr. Alex Zorka" does see the threat. This is a meteorite that contains a substance "Dr. Zorka" has extracted from it. A substance that can induce suspended animation on an entire army.
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Film-Noir, Crime, Drama, Horror, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller
The man responsible for that story was Curt Siodmak, still using his German birth name of Kurt Siodmak. He had just created the story for 1940's, "The Invisible Man Returns", and was only four-movies away from writing a screenplay that included a poem he created. Which is still argued as being a centuries old actual poem, for his 1941, "The Wolf Man". Later, with his director brother Robert, the two would go back to their childhood roots in Germany and write and direct 1943's, "Son of Dracula", and film it in an old German expressionist style. My article is "CURT and ROBERT SIODMAK: Horror and Film Noir" at:
https://www.bewaretheblog.com/2017/11/curt-and-robert-siodmak-horror-and-film.html
The screenplay version of Kurt Siodmak's story was by Eric Taylor. He would go on to work on the screenplays for 1942's, "Ghost of Frankenstein", and 1943's, "Son of Dracula". Along with the "Ellery Queen" detective series of films.
The motion picture was directed by Arthur Lubin. Lubin was not either a horror, or thriller director. He became known for directing several of the Abbott and Costello motion pictures, the "Francis the Talking Mule" series, and creating television's "Mr. Ed", the talking horse program. However, he did direct "Universal Pictures", 1943 remake of, "The Phantom of the Opera".
The Seven Names on the Above Poster:
Boris Karloff portrayed "Doctor Ernest Sovac". Karloff was last seen in one of his "Detective James Lee Wong" series, 1940's, "The Fatal Hour", and followed this feature with 1940's, "The Man with Nine Lives". My article is "Boris Karloff: There Was More Than Horror Movies (January 15, 1919 to July 20, 1958)" for your reading at:
https://www.bewaretheblog.com/2023/10/boris-karloff-there-was-more-than.html
(The Three Horror Men)
This is a comedy mystery and not a horror movie. Kyser is the star, and he appears with his band playing songs and in routines most Americans and Canadians only heard over their radios. The movie had a final budget of $371,000 1940 dollars, and had a box-office of $1,000,000 1940 dollars.
The motion picture was directed by David Butler. He had just directed the Bing Crosby musical, 1940's, "If I Had My Way", and followed this musical with the Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour comedy, 1941, "Caught in the Draft". Then another Kay Kyser musical with John Barrymore, 1941's, "Playmates". Butler also worked on the story for the screenplay, but there were still four others.
James V. Kern was a comedy writer and had just worked on 1940's, "If I Had My Way", and followed this movie with the Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy, 1941,"Look Who's Laughing".
Monte Brice had worked on the Charlie Ruggles comedy, 1939's, "Night Work", and followed this picture with the James Stewart and Paulette Goddard musical comedy, 1941's, "Pot o' Gold".
Andrew Bennison had worked on the Johnny Mack Brown musical western, 1939's, "Chip of the Flying U", and followed this feature with 1941's, "Pot o' Gold".
R.T.M. Scott only worked on this motion picture.
Kay Kyser portrayed himself. He had just appeared in the short, 1940's, "If I Forget You", a tribute to the late Will Rodgers, that featured Judy Garland and Bette Davis. He followed this feature film with 1941's, "Playmates".
Peter Lorre portrayed "Professor Karl Fenninger". He had just been in 1940's, "Stranger on the Third Floor", and followed this feature with 1941's, "The Face Behind the Mask". My article, "PETER LORRE: Overlooked, or Forgotten Performances", may be read at:
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2017/11/peter-lorre-overlooked-or-forgotten.html
Boris Karloff portrayed "Judge Spencer Mainwaring". He had just been in the low-budget horror entry, 1940's, "The Ape", and followed this film with 1941's, "The Devil Commands".
Bela Lugosi portrayed "Prince Saliano". Lugosi had just starred in 1940's, "The Devil Bat", and followed this feature film with 1941's, "The Invisible Ghost".
Trivia: This is the only film with all three together in it.
Helen Parrish portrayed "Janis Bellacrest". She had just co-starred with Dennis O'Keefe and Constance Moore in the 1940, musical comedy, "I'm Nobody's Sweetheart Now", and followed this film co-starring with Leon Errol and Charles Lang, in the 1941, musical comedy, "Where Did You Get That Girl?".
Dennis O'Keefe portrayed "Chuck Deems". O'Keefe had just been in 1940's, "I'm Nobody's Sweetheart Now", and followed this picture with the crime drama, 1940's, "Bowery Boy".
Above left to right, Kay Kyser, Helen Parrish, and Dennis O'Keefe
Ginny Simms portrayed herself. Simms was a popular "Big Band" singer who almost married Kay Kyser, but instead married Hyatt von Dehn, the founder of the "Hyatt Hotel" chain. She also sang with Dinah Shore, Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, and Jo Stafford.
Above left to right, Kay Kyser, Ginny Simms, Boris Karloff, Helen Parrish, and Dennis O'Keefe.
The Basic Screenplay:
"Kay Kyser" and his band, featuring "Ginny Simms", arrives at a mansion shaped like a medieval castle, to entertain at a party, but as soon as they arrive, mysteriously, the drawbridge, the only way in, is dynamited.
Like all of "Kyser's" films, there are the expected musical numbers, and comic routines from his "Kollege of Musical Knowledge", and band member M.A. Rogue, better known to the radio audience, and these feature films as "Ish Kabibble".
"Janis Bellacrest" has returned to her aunt's house that she hasn't seen in years. Strange, typical for haunted house movies, things start happening. "Kay Kyser" has become suspicious of "Prince Saliano" being behind the events. Apparently, he is taking "Aunt Margo's" money, because of her belief in spiritualism. Meanwhile, "Kay's" manager, "Chuck Deems", has taken an interest in "Janis Bellacrest".
THE RETURN OF THE VAMPIRE released on November 11, 1943
In a typical article about this feature film entitled, "THE SCREEN; Any Blood Donors?", from the "New York Times", January 22, 1944, at:
https://www.nytimes.com/1944/01/29/archives/the-screen-any-blood-donors.html
The following spoiler was found:
Need we say more about a picture called "The Return of the Vampire" than just that—plus the fact that Columbia made it and it opened at the Rialto yesterday? Are you still interested? All right, we'll tell you that Bela Lugosi rises again from the grave to go about sucking transfusions from the throat of a beautiful girl in the dark of night, while mists rise around the English mansion and dogs howl mournfully on the hill. But his accomplice, a hairy-faced man-beast (Matt Willis) proves his undoing in the end. This monster gets religion or something and turns the vampire into dust with a crucifix. Thus the forces of good triumph over evil and we all can feel much better—until next time.
Any Blood Donors?
https://www.bewaretheblog.com/2022/07/rocketship-x-m-expedition-moon-1950.html
Griffin Jay wrote the screenplay and among his others are "Universal Pictures", 1940, "The Mummy's Hand", 1942's, "The Mummy's Tomb", and 1943's, "The Mummy's Ghost".
Béla Ferenc Dezső Blaskó aka: Bela Lugosi portrayed "Armand Tesla". Lugosi was facing financial problems and before this picture. He had accepted a role from "Monogram Pictures", in a "Eastside Kids" comedy, 1943's, "Ghosts on the Loose", featuring 5th-billed Ava Gardner in her 16th on-screen appearance. Bela would follow this feature film with another low budget "Monogram Picture", 1944's, "Voodoo Man" with John Carradine and George Zucco.
Frieda Inescort portrayed "Lady Jane Ainsely". The Edinburgh, Scotland, born stage actress had been appearing in several Broadway productions since 1922 and on-screen since 1935. She had just been seen in the Walter Huston, 1943, Second World War propaganda, "Mission to Moscow".
Nina Foch portrayed the adult "Nicki Saunders". Foch would portrayed a werewolf queen in the underrated 1944, "Cry of the Werewolf", and in 1956, she was the adopted Egyptian mother of "Moses" in Cecil B. DeMille's, "The Ten Commandments".
Roland Varno portrayed the adult "John Ainsley". The Utrecht, Netherlands, born actor, actually served during the Second World War in the American "Office of Strategic Services", which would become the "Central Intelligence Agency". Immediately before this motion picture, Varno was seen in the Louise Rainer Second World War propaganda movie, 1943's, "Hostages".
Above left to right, Nina Foch, Roland Varno, and Frieda Inescort.
Miles Mander portrayed "Sir Frederick Fleet". The English actor had just been seen in both 1943's, "The Phantom of the Opera" and "Guadalcanal Diary",
Above left to right, Miles Mander, Frieda Inescort, and George McKay portraying the "Cemetery Caretaker".
Matt Willis portrayed "Andreas Obry". Willis had just seen in the comedy, 1943's, "Hi Ya, Sailor", a musical comedy starring Donald Woods, of 1953's, "The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms", and 1960's, "13 Ghosts".
Willis above in his human form and below in his werewolf form created by the uncredited make-up artist, Clay Campbell. Who did the overlooked 1956, "Columbia Pictures", "The Werewolf".
The Basic Story with a Spoiler Climax:
This is a very good example of the work of Kurt Neumann and spans two World Wars. The setting is London and a young woman is brought to the clinic of "Lady Jane Ainsley" and her colleague, "Professor (Doctor in some reviews) Walter Saunders", portrayed by Gilbert Emery. The two are baffled by her severe case of anemia.
Later during the night, the cause of the anemia enters the clinics room, but discovers that his victim is dead from what "Professor Saunders" believes is shock, not anemia, or blood loss. Seeking revenge, he now enters the bedroom of "Professor Saunders" granddaughter, "Nicki", portrayed by Sharilee (or Sherlee) Collier, born in Durban, South Africa . The following morning, "Saunders" shows "Lady Jane" two small puncture wounds on his granddaughter's neck.
As fantastic as it sounds to "Lady Jane", "Saunders" believes "Nicki" and their patient were victims of a vampire. He further informs "Lady Jane" about the work of an 18th-Century scientist named "Armand Tesla". Next, believing that it is "Tesla" the two are after. They go in daylight to the London cemetery containing his grave and open the coffin to see a perfectly normal looking man. "Professor Saunders" holds a mirror to "Tesla's" face and there is no reflection, confirming his theory. As they take a metal stake to hammer into "Armand Telsa's" heart, a werewolf appears, who is under the vampire's control.
The moment that "Professor Saunders" stake pierces the heart of "Armand Tesla", the werewolf returns to his normal self of "Andreas Obry".
Switch to 24-years-later during the Second World War and the German Blitz of the city of London.
Scotland Yard Chief Detective "Sir Fredrick Fleet" finishes reading the now deceased "Professor Saunders" account of the vampire, Next, he informs his good friend, "Lady Jane Ainsley", that if "Tesla" were alive at the moment they staked him, she would have been arrested for murder. "Lady Jane" replies to "Fleet", that the man she and "Professor Saunders" staked, was an 18th-Century-VAMPIRE expert named "Armand Tesla". "Sir Fredrick" doesn't believe either what he read, or that there is such a thing as a vampire.
Following the above, "Lady Jane" informs her son "John", who is engaged to marry his childhood playmate, "Nicki Saunders", the whole incredible story, but warns him not to ever tell her.
A German air raid takes place on London, and when it's over. Two Civil Defense workers are checking the cemetery that contains the body of the vampire. Their job is to clean up after the air raid and replace the bodies of the dead back in their resting places, if the bombing disturbed them.
The vampire's body is next to his broken open coffin and the two civil defense workers notice the metal stake in it. They're sure that it was from a bomb fragment, and want to remove the stake. When they do, they're surprised to hear a moan and decide to leave the area,
Above left is Harold De Becker as the "Unnamed "Civil Defense Worker #2", and on the right is Billy Bevan portraying "Horace, Civil Defense Worker #1".
Next, "Armand Tesla" calls to "Andreas", who fights a loosing battle of wills and becomes a werewolf once more. He is sent to murder a "Dr. Hugo Bruckner", which is not shown in the motion picture's release print. Meanwhile, as the body of "Telsa" cannot be located after bombing, "Sir Frederick Fleet" closes the case file.
"Lady Jane" is having an engagement party for "John" and "Nicki". "Sir Fredrick Fleet" wants to give "Nicki" her grandfather's report, but "Lady Jane" takes it from him. She locks it in a drawer, again not wanting her son's fiancee to see it. Now, "Hugo Bruckner", concentration camp escapee, arrives at the party, and starts to charm everyone except "Sir Frederick". Of course, this is the vampire "Armand Telsa".
After the party, "Niki" is back in her bedroom and finds her grandfather's report that was stolen from the locked drawer and starts to read it. The following morning "Nicki" is found unconscious on her bed with two tiny puncture marks in her neck.
"Lady Jane" questions the two "Civil Defense" men that patrolled the grave yard and they tell her about the stake that they removed from a man's dead body, and the moan they heard.
"Lady Jane" now tells "Sir Fredrick", who still doesn't believe in vampires, but assigns two plainclothes police officers to follow "Andreas". As he would have had access to the desk the manuscript was in. "Fleet" still doesn't believe he is a werewolf. However, the two officer's report back to him that they saw "Andreas" transform into a werewolf and give "Sir Frederick" a bundle with the personal effects of the real "Bruckner".
"While, Sir Frederick" is still calling the vampire-werewolf story "Pure Fantasy". The laboratory report on the break-in of the desk the manuscript was stolen from comes back. The report states the desk contained wolf hairs.
"Telsa" now attacks "John", and he is found unconscious the following morning with puncture wounds on his neck. "Nicki" believes it was her that attacked "John" and drank his blood. Actually, this is a post hypnotic suggestion from "Armand Telsa". Meanwhile, "Sir Frederick" corners "Andreas", but as he begins to transform into a werewolf, escapes. Two plainclothes police officers are assigned to follow "Bruckner/Telsa", but he easily escapes them.
While "Nicki" is asleep, "Lady Jane" notices a cross and takes it with her. "Lady Jane" is seen playing the piano as "Armand Tesla" appears and threatens to turn both "Nicki" and "John" into vampires.
Just then, "Lady Jane" reveals a cross and warns "Armand Telsa":
That the power of goodness
can destroy him and the vampire disappears.
The Spoiler Climax:
From outside the house, "Armand Tesla" calls to "Nicki" to come to him. Downstairs, "Lady Jane" and"Sir Frederick" are still arguing over vampirism as "Nicki" comes down the stairs in a trance and "Lady Jane" tells "Sir Frederick" they must let her go, but follow. They arrive at the cemetery as another German air raid starts. "Nicki" is with "Tesla" as the bombs start falling and she faints. "Andreas" in his werewolf form now picks "Nicki" up in an obvious attempt to get her to safety, but "Sir Frederick" sees him and shoots the werewolf before he can complete the task. As the bombs start falling on the cemetery, "Sir Frederick" tells "Lady Jane" to take cover, which both do.
In the basement ruins of "Saint Matthew Church", "Armand Tesla" has nothing more to do with the injured "Andreas" and tells him just to die. Now hearing the words of "Lady Jane" in his head, "Andreas Obry" picks up a crucifix and turns back to his human self, the werewolf is gone forever. He next attempts to destroy the vampire, but a direct hit on the church by a German bomb knocks both out. "Andreas" recovers first and goes to the still body of the vampire and starts to drag him out of the church into the morning sunlight.
"Armand Tesla, vampire", now regains consciousness and realizes he is in the sunlight.
The sunlight has its effect on the vampire.
A few feet away, the wounded "Andreas" dies.
"Nicki" tells "Lady Jane" and "Sir Frederick" that "Andreas" saved her life. Looking at the bones that was once "Armand Tesla", "Lady Jane" asks "Sir Frederick" if he doesn't now believe in vampires. He tells her he cannot accept her version of events without physical evidence. When she points to the bones in the tuxedo, he says that could be any buried body exposed from the bombing of the cemetery. He now turns to the two plainclothes police officers and asks them, if they believe in vampires? The two answer yes!
ACTOR MILES MANDERS, TURNS AND BREAKS THE FOURTH WALL OF THE THEATRE AND ASKS THE VIEWING AUDIENCE:
AND YOU PEOPLE?
Wally Brown was "Jerry Miles" and Alan Carney was "Mike Strager" The two are employed as Broadway Press Agents and come up with a scheme to hire a "Real Zombie" for the opening of the "Zombie Hut" cabaret owned by gangster "Ace Miller". The gangster, as in many films, was portrayed by actor Sheldon Leonard, the future producer of such television programs as, "The Dick Van Dyke Show", "The Andy Griffin Show" and "I Spy".
Below, seated, Alan Carney, Wally Brown, and standing, Sheldon Leonard.
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Below Brown, Carney and Ann Jeffreys.
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The plot is a little bit of the Bob Hope and Paulette Goddard's, "Ghost Breakers", a bit of the John Carradine and Gale Storm, "Revenge of the Zombies" and just a smidgen of ripped off Abbott and Costello style gags.
"Jerry Miles" and "Mike Strager" start to make a fake zombie to use for the nightclub, but they run afoul of a radio show business reporter. Who vows to publicly humiliate gangster "Ace Miller", if the boys don't produce a real zombie for the "Zombie Hut's" opening night.
The two then board a tramp steamer for the island of "San Sebastian", but are met by two of "Ace's" goons. Who threaten their lives, if they don't produce a "Real Live Zombie". The theater audience might be asking themselves, at this point in the story:
How do they get a "LIVE Zombie"?
Arriving on the island "Miles" and "Strager" meet cabaret singer "Jean La Danse".
The three end up at the mansion of "Professor Renault" who is creating zombies. As the boys explore the house. "Kalaga" captures "Jean" and takes her to the Professor's secret laboratory. Just as "Renault" is about to give his zombie serum to "Jean", the guard dogs sense intruders. "Jean" is taken to a dungeon and tied up. While the Professor and "Kalaga" go to find the intruders. While this is happening "Jean" manages to untie herself and escape.
Instead of "Jean", it is "Mike" that is turned into a zombie by "Professor Renault", but "Jerry" and "Jean" rescue the zombie "Mike" and three escape and head back to New York.
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Zombie "Mike" is presented to the "Zombie Hut" audience on opening night. He suddenly comes around to his old self as the serum has worn off. As a result "Mike" and "Jerry" must now face the wrath of "Ace" from what he perceives as another scam by the two.
At the time of writing this article, the following link will take my reader to "Zombies on Broadway":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWiUThNzmTE
Bela Lugosi was talked into appearing on the London stage in a production of Hamilton Deane's original play, "Dracula", it bombed.
Bela was in need of money and was offered $5,000, equal today to $61, 283, to appear in a movie with a popular British comic as star, and agreed.
MOTHER RILEY MEETS THE VAMPIRE aka: VAMPIRE OVER LONDON aka: MY SON, THE VAMPIRE premiered in the United Kingdom in June 1952
Ain't this the fellow that goes around with the hand and the face, biting people on the neck and wearing capes?
Giving my reader the quality of this movie, as "Dr. Zabor" changes Duke into the gorilla. Which leads to vaudeville like comic situations until the end of the picture, when Duke becomes Duke.
- - - - showcase of Wood's infamous ineptitude", and noted that "the personal stories of two transvestites are spoken with ridiculous dialogue, terrible acting, and interspersed with irrelevant stock footage. Every so often, a drug-addicted Bela Lugosi would appear with some strange and pointless narration.
A point about Bela believed by many other reviewers.
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More horrifying than "DRACULA" "FRANKENSTEIN"
For those of my readers who might have forgotten, Bela was the "Frankenstein Monster" in 1943's, "Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man". A role he did not like, because in 1942's, "The Ghost of Frankenstein", two things happened. One, the monster goes blind after having Bela Lugosi's character of "Ygor's" brain placed in it. Two, Lon Chaney, Jr. created what became the classic walk for the monster, because it was now blind. In his film role as "Henry", not "Victor's" creation, Bela had to walk like Lon throughout the motion picture and was not be able to add something of his own to the character.
Alex Gordon wrote the original screenplay and story back in 1953, as "The Atomic Monster". Gordon would become the producer of several motion pictures including 1956's, "The She Creature", 1957's, 'Voodoo Woman", 1959's, "The Atomic Submarine", and 1962's, "The Underwater City".
Ed Wood, Jr. rewrote that screenplay in 1954, as "The Monster of the Marshes". Filming started in October 1954, but stopped as Wood ran out of money. Production resumed and was completed at the start of 1955, and on May 11th, under the title, "The Bride of the Atom", the preview took place in Hollywood at the "Paramount Theater", today known as the "El Capitan Theatre" and owned by "Walt Disney Entertainment". The final title "Bride of the Monster" was taken from 1935's, "Bride of Frankenstein".
The Cast on the Above Poster:
Bela Lugosi portrayed "Dr. Eric Vornoff". Bela had just appeared on comedian Red Skelton's television program, "The Red Skeleton Hour", June 15, 1954. The program took its cue from director Alfred Hitchcock's, May 18, 1954, 3-D motion picture,"Dial M for Murder". That program title was "Dial 'B' for Brush", and besides Bela Lugosi, featured Lon Chaney, Jr. and Vampira.
The following link will take my reader to a "Facebook" page containing the entire 17-minute skit.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1901734766518027
Below, an aging Bela Lugosi in "Bride of the Monster".
Tor Johnson portrayed "Lobo". The following modified description comes from my article "The Strange Dead and Living Cast from Ed Wood, Jr's: PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE" found at:
https://www.bewaretheblog.com/2017/03/the-strange-dead-and-living-cast-of-ed.html
Tor Johnston was a Swedish wrestler normally billed as "The Super Swedish Angel". Johnson's wrestling name came from the fact that there had been an original "Swedish Angel" during the 1940's Tor Johnson started to get bit roles in movies playing a side show strongman as early as 1934. That first movie was "Registered Nurse" and Johnson was billed as "Sonnevich the Terrible Bulgarian", but it is the science fiction/horror movies of the 1950's that he is remembered for.
Tony McCoy portrayed "Police Lieutenant Dick Craig". His film career lasted for 4-roles, this was his second and his last was in an episode of televisions "The Adventures of Rin-Tin-Tin".
Loretta King portrayed "Janet Lawton". Her acting role's were a little better than McCoy's, they totaled 5, between 1955 and 1975, this was her 3rd.
The Atom Bomb explosions distorting the atmosphere.
The two police officers find "Janet's" abandoned car and they consider her the 13th-victim. Then the two get in their own car and drive away from the swamp as "Professor Strowski" is driving a rented car to the swamp. "Janet" awakes again, screams at the sight of "Lobo", is assured that "Lobo" is harmless, is put back to sleep, and taken to "Dr. Vornoff's" "Private Quarters".
"Professor Strowski" arrives at the house, enters through the front door, and is greeted by "Dr. Vornoff". From their conversation the audience now learns that "Professor Strowski" and "Dr. Vornoff" come from the same country. During the 1930's, their country was attempting to recruit "Vornoff", because of his advanced experiments in Atomic Engery and his suggestion that nuclear power could create super humans of great size and strength. However, his country branded "Vornoff" a madman and he was exiled from his homeland. "Professor Strowski" wants to assist "Dr. Vornoff" to create a super human and achieve two goals, one is to show that "Vornoff" was not mad, just years ahead of other scientists. Two, "Professor Strowski" wants to use these superhuman's to aid their mutual country in the conquest of other's. While, "Dr. Vornoff" wants to use his super human's to help conquer the world in his name. Before he can react, "Professor Strowski" is attacked and placed in a gage containing the octopus and is killed.
Back at the swamp, our two heroic police officers discover "Professor Strowski's" abandoned car The two split up and "Craig" heads to the not so haunted house. At the same time, "Dr. Vornoff", in his secret laboratory, waves his hand and telepathically, the hypnotized "Janet" comes to him dressed as a bride, don't ask. The "Mad Scientist" has decided to use her in his next experiment, which doesn't sit well with the love sick "Lobo", but "Vornoff" uses a whip on him to change his mind.
At the moment, "Craig" enters the house, discovers a secret passage, and is captured. Cut to "Janet" on "Vornoff's" operating table and "Craig" chained to a wall.
A distressed "Lobo" frees "Janet" and attacks "Dr. Vornoff", placing him on the operating table. "Voroff" becomes his own subject of his grand super human plan.
tampered in God's domain.
LISTEN TO THEM, THE CHILDREN OF THE NIGHT. WHAT MUSIC THEY MAKE.
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