November 24, 2024

THE BEAST WITH FIVE FINGERS and THE WALKING DEAD: Pity The Poor Pianists


THE BEAST WITH FIVE FINGERS and THE WALKING DEAD
(Blu-ray)
Available at www.MovieZyng.com
Review by Josey, the Sudden Cat🙀

Warner Archive serves up a couple of minor classics that, despite the ominous titles, narrative set-ups and creepy aesthetics, I wouldn't consider to be pure horror films. Another common thread is both stories involve musicians getting royally screwed over (and not by their managers).

THE BEAST WITH FIVE FINGERS (1946/88 min) - Eccentric invalid pianist Francis Ingram (Victor Francen), who only has the use of one arm, dies one night. In his will, Francis has left everything to his unhappy nurse, Julie (Andrea King), much to the consternation of his greedy brother & nephew, who contest the will’s validity. Also present at the reading are Francis’ secretary Hilary Cunnins (Peter Lorre), as well as Bruce Conrad (Robert Alda), the pianist’s friend and Julie’s lover. Soon after, a disembodied hand begins stalking people one by one, while Francis’ haunting piano music echoes throughout the mansion.


The Beast with Five Fingers has the tone and atmosphere of a horror film, but ultimately ends up being more of a mystery thriller. But it’s a pretty good one, with an intriguing story and, considering it’s nearly eight decades old, excellent special effects. The characters are well-drawn and feature decent performances all around, with Lorre being a particular standout. The ending, which includes a brief-but-silly shift to comedy, sort of caps things off like a Scooby-Doo episode.


EXTRA KIBBLES

2 CARTOON SHORTS - The Foxy Duckling and The Gay Anties.

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By historians Dr. Steve Haberman and Constantine Nasr.

TRAILER


Play that funky music, white hand.

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THE WALKING DEAD (1936/66 min) - A variation of the Frankenstein concept with the same star, The Walking Dead is a sci-fi tinged revenge story featuring Boris Karloff as down-and-out musician and ex-con John Elman, who’s framed by gangsters for a judge’s murder and sent to the electric chair. Resurrected by scientists who know he’s innocent, John goes about getting his revenge on those who wronged him.


Like Frankenstein’s monster, Karloff effectively instills yet another undead character with sympathy, and he probably appreciated being able to do it this time around without being buried under a mountain of make-up. Elsewhere, Ricardo Cortez is wonderfully despicable as the crooked lawyer who set him up in the first place. Despite John’s haunting appearance and some life-after-death pondering, The Walking Dead emphasizes revenge over horror. As such, it’s fairly entertaining, though the story is wrapped up rather abruptly.


EXTRA KIBBLES

FEATURETTE - Michael Curtiz: The Greatest Director You’ve Never Heard Of is an excellent 30-minute retrospective appreciation of Curtiz by several noteworthy modern directors.

2 CARTOON SHORTS - The Cat Came Back and Let It Be Me.

2 AUDIO COMMENTARIES - 1) By historian Greg Mank; 2) By historian Alan K. Rode.

TRAILER


The Walking Drunk.

Both films are interesting little curios, though neither are creative milestones for anyone involved. The Blu-ray transfers for each are good and come with some enjoyable bonus material, especially the affectionate Michael Curtiz tribute accompanying The Walking Dead.


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