Svengoolie Schedule for December 2023

 

SVEN’S MOVIE SCHEDULE

DEC 2 Mystery of the Wax Museum Fay Wray Mystery of the Wax Museum is a 1933 American pre-Code mystery-horror film directed by Michael Curtiz and starring Lionel Atwill, Fay Wray, Glenda Farrell, and Frank McHugh. Opens in a new windowwww.imdb.com Movie poster of Mystery of the Wax Museum 1933 A follow-up to Warner's earlier horror film Doctor X (1932), Mystery involved many of the same cast and crew, including actors Lionel Atwill, Fay Wray, Arthur Edmund Carewe, and Thomas Jackson; director Michael Curtiz; art director Anton Grot; and cameraman Ray Rennahan. The film follows the story of Ivan Igor (Lionel Atwill), a sculptor who is obsessed with creating lifelike wax figures. When his partner, Joe Worth (Edwin Maxwell), burns down their wax museum for the insurance money, Igor is trapped inside and is presumed dead. However, Igor survives and reopens a new wax museum in New York City. When a young woman named Joan Gale (Monica Bannister) disappears, reporter Florence Dempsey (Glenda Farrell) begins to investigate the case. She soon finds herself drawn to Igor's museum, where she discovers that Igor has been using real people to create his wax figures. Igor kidnaps Florence and plans to use her as his next victim. However, Florence is rescued by her boyfriend, Jack Burns (Frank McHugh), and Igor is arrested. Mystery of the Wax Museum is a classic horror film that is still considered to be one of the best in the genre. The film is suspenseful and atmospheric, and the performances are all excellent. Lionel Atwill is particularly good as Igor, a complex and sympathetic villain. Fay Wray is also excellent as Florence, a resourceful and determined reporter. The film is also notable for its special effects, which were groundbreaking for their time. The wax figures are incredibly lifelike, and the film's climax is a thrilling chase through the wax museum. Mystery of the Wax Museum is a must-see for fans of horror films. It is a suspenseful and atmospheric film with excellent performances and groundbreaking special effects.

DEC 9 The Raven The Raven is a 1963 American horror film directed by Roger Corman and starring Vincent Price and Peter Lorre. It is a loosely adapted remake of Edgar Allan Poe's 1845 poem of the same name. Opens in a new windowwww.imdb.com Vincent Price in The Raven (1963) movie poster The film follows Erasmus Craven (Vincent Price), a magician who has been turned into a raven by the sorcerer Dr. Scarabus (Boris Karloff). Craven seeks out the help of Dr. Adolphus Bedlo (Peter Lorre), a former sorcerer who has also been transformed into a bird. Together, they plot to defeat Scarabus and break the curse that has turned them into ravens. Opens in a new windownl.wikipedia.org Peter Lorre in The Raven (1963) movie poster The Raven is a fun and campy horror film with a great cast. Vincent Price is excellent as the tormented Craven, and Peter Lorre is hilarious as the wisecracking Bedlo. The film is also notable for its use of Poe's original poem, which is recited throughout the film. The Raven is a must-see for fans of horror films and classic literature. It is a fun and entertaining film with a great cast and a memorable script

DEC 16 Night Walker Night Walker is a 1964 American psychological mystery horror film directed by William Castle and starring Barbara Stanwyck, Robert Taylor, and William Castle. Opens in a new windowwww.imdb.com Night Walker (film) poster Plot Irene Trent (Barbara Stanwyck) is trapped in a loveless marriage to a rich, blind scientist (Hayden Rorke). She soon begins to have disturbing nightmares, which seem to be instigated by her late husband who supposedly was killed in a fire. Irene's nightmares become increasingly vivid and real, and she begins to suspect that her husband is still alive and is trying to kill her. She consults with a psychiatrist (Robert Taylor), who believes that her nightmares are a manifestation of her guilt over her husband's death. However, Irene's suspicions are confirmed when she discovers that her husband is indeed alive and has been using her nightmares to torture her. He reveals that he is not blind and that he started the fire that killed her first husband. Irene is forced to confront her husband and the truth about her past. In a climactic showdown, she escapes his clutches and finally finds peace. Themes Night Walker is a film about guilt, obsession, and the power of the subconscious mind. It explores the dark side of human nature and the lengths to which people will go to escape their own guilt.

DEC 23 Black Cat Sure, here is a summary of the 1941 film "The Black Cat": Opens in a new windowapps.microsoft.com Basil Rathbone as Montague Hartley in The Black Cat (1941) Plot Wealthy Henrietta Winslow (Cecilia Loftus) lives in a secluded mansion with her numerous cats and a staff of loyal servants. When her health begins to decline, her greedy relatives gather at the mansion, eager to inherit her fortune. Among them is Gil Smith (George Zucco), a real estate agent who hopes to convince Henrietta to sell her property, and Mr. Penny (Alan Mowbray), an eccentric antique dealer who eyes the mansion's valuable furnishings. As Henrietta's relatives await her demise, a mysterious figure begins murdering the mansion's inhabitants one by one. The killings raise suspicions among the guests, and some even point fingers at each other. The situation becomes even more tense when Henrietta's doctor announces that her health has improved, shattering the hopes of her fortune-hungry relatives. Determined to expedite Henrietta's death, one of the relatives takes matters into their own hands, murdering her with a knitting needle. However, their crime is not unnoticed, and the murderer is soon unmasked.

DEC 30 The Undead Opens in a new windowwww.filmposters.com Undead (1957) movie poster Plot In 1957, two psychical researchers, Dr. Quintus (Melvin Duncan) and Dr. Eric Lloyd (Michael Pate), are conducting experiments in hypnosis. They believe that they can use hypnosis to send a person's mind back in time. Quintus volunteers a young woman named Diana Love (Pamela Duncan) for their experiment. Diana is a prostitute, and Quintus believes that she is the perfect subject because she has no strong ties to the present. Under hypnosis, Diana is sent back to the Middle Ages. She finds herself in the body of a woman named Livia, who is accused of being a witch. Livia is sentenced to death, and Diana is forced to watch as she is beheaded. After the execution, Diana's mind is returned to the present. She is shaken by the experience, but she is also intrigued by it. She begins to believe that her past life was real, and she becomes obsessed with finding out more about Livia. Diana's obsession leads her to seek out Quintus and Lloyd. She asks them to help her find out more about Livia, and they agree to do so. Quintus and Lloyd use their hypnosis techniques to send Diana back to the Middle Ages again. This time, Diana is able to escape from her execution and live out her life as Livia. Diana's actions in the past have a ripple effect on the present. She unwittingly changes the course of history, and she is ultimately responsible for her own death.