No, not the modern zombie series. This is a little horror film from 1936 that absolutely delighted me.

The film is a crazy blend of horror, gangster, and religious morality play. Directed by Michael Curtiz, most famous for directing Casablanca, and starring Boris Karloff in a riff on his most famous role of Frankenstein’s monster. 

The story follows John Ellman, Karloff, a man falsely accused of murdering a judge. The witnesses to the murder are too scared to come forward because of the constant hounding of gangsters. Ellman is executed. A scientist finds out about Ellman’s innocence and uses his innovative new technique to restore Ellman to life. Ellman is now a walking avenger seeking justice for the men who set him up. 

This is what I love about old movies Warner Bros. Movies especially were willing to blend genres and explore a lot of different themes in their movies. This movie covers everything from undead monsters, avenging angels, the battle between science and faith, political corruption, the fragility of human courage, and the nature of justice all in one movie that’s barely feature length. 

The movie is only about 80 minutes long. It’s very brief and the story flies by. Michael Curtiz was famous for his pacing. He wanted his movies to be fast paced and to move through action as quickly as possible. That mentality is on full display here. There’s not an ounce of fat on this story. Every minute is put to good use. Every plot beat and story element is essential. 

I loved this movie. It isn’t particularly scary, but it is wildly entertaining. I loved the characters of Nancy and Jimmy, played by Marguerite Churchill and Warren Hull, the young love birds who want to get married and start their life together, but they witness a murder. They’re too afraid to come forward. When Ellman is brought back they both react very differently to the resurrection. Nancy is so full of remorse and wanting to care for Ellman while Jimmy is suspicious and standoffish. Both are reacting to their guilt in different ways, and while it’s never laid out in bare dialogue their motivations are so clear because we’ve seen their story told fully and clearly throughout the film. 

I love Ellman. Karloff plays him as a gentle musician who has been thrust into too many situations out of his control. He isn’t a purely innocent man. He has made mistakes and admits to them, but the injustice done to him both by the system and by the cowardice of those who could’ve helped him are beyond the sins he has committed. 

The role is a take off on Frankenstein’s monster and Karloff does a beautiful job of differentiating the two characters. Ellman is gentle and eloquent and hunched. He carries himself in such a distinct manner that feels fully motivated by the specific trauma his body has endured. It’s a beautiful performance. 

I love the philosophical questions the film tackles. I love how it handles the scientist Dr. Beaumont, played by Edmund Gwenn most famously Santa Claus of Miracle on 34th street. He is a man who is determined to learn all he can about the other side. He believes that by exploring Ellman’s mind and experience he can unlock the secret of life itself. Through him we get so many interesting themes and questions. 

I love the gangsters. They’re classic old movie gangsters, but they don’t feel cartoonish or out of place. They are pitch perfect and make for such a fun addition. 

I loved this movie. It’s not perfect, but it was a lot of fun. If you like old movies, you’ll have a great time with this. 

It is my cup of tea. A+