Bela Lugosi’s over-the-top performance as mad scientist Dr. Richard Vollin is not to be missed. Lugosi hams it up as a brilliant, egotistical surgeon that has a fanatical obsession with Edgar Allan Poe, keeping a stuffed raven on his desk and devices of torture described in Poe’s tales in his dungeon! Although Boris Karloff has top billing, this is Lugosi’s film. It’s too bad Karloff doesn’t have more screen time, because his performance as disturbed criminal and victim of Vollin, Edmond Bateman, is top notch. This movie includes what is probably the only interpretive dance ever performed to Poe’s eerie poem “The Raven.” (61 min.)

Unrated - 1935

Director:
Lew Landers

Starring:
Boris Karloff
Bela Lugosi
Lester Matthews
Irene Ware
Samuel S. Hinds
Spencer Charters
Ian Wolfe

Writers:
Edgar Allan Poe (poem)
David Boehm (screenplay)

What girl could help herself from being drawn to the charms of Bela Lugosi in his late 50s? Well, most likely any girl, but that didn’t stop anyone from making this movie.
Edgar Allan Poe obsessed and “mature” Dr. Richard Vollin (Lugosi) saves the life of Jean Thatcher (Irene Ware) and turns his attention to the young lady. In gratitude she performs an interpretive dance to Poe’s “The Raven” which seals the deal for her freaky benefactor. Edmond Bateman (KARLOFF — Boris Karloff to us little people, he was going by one name at the time) gets unwillingly pulled into a twisted plot of revenge when young Thatcher’s father, Judge Thatcher (Samuel S. Hinds) objects to the doctor’s sick intentions.
While not necessarily a good film, it’s not a bad movie considering the vintage. Plus, you get Lugosi and Karloff together and some mad scientist organ playing as well. (61 min.)

Unrated - 1935

Director:
Lew Landers

Starring:
Boris Karloff
Bela Lugosi
Lester Matthews
Irene Ware
Samuel S. Hinds
Spencer Charters
Ian Wolfe

Writers:
Edgar Allan Poe (poem)
David Boehm (screenplay)