THE BLACK CAT (1934): A TRUE UNIVERSAL CLASSIC TURNS 90!!

THE BLACK CAT (1934) d. Edgar G. Ulmer (USA)

**CLICK HERE TO WATCH FULL YOUTUBE EPISODE** 

Bearing no resemblance to the original story by Edgar Allan Poe, Universal’s atmosphere-drenched 1934 offering, The Black Cat, from Austrian expatriate Edgar G. Ulmer, is a superior piece of filmmaking, made all the more historic for marking the first and finest on-screen teaming of horror icons Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi.

The storyline of mysterious doctor Vitus Werdegast (Lugosi) and an American couple (David Manners, Julie Bishop aka Jacqueline Wells) taking refuge during a rainstorm in a secluded Hungarian mansion is a bit muddled (due in part to studio interference and editing by Universal). But Ulmer and his two leads make up for it with sheer presence, swift pacing, and a dreamlike “atmosphere of death,” as one character puts it, that pervades throughout.

Karloff (as resident Satanist/scientist Hjalmar Poelzig) and Lugosi square off admirably, playing a figurative and literal game of chess with one another, their characters’ dark history revealing itself layer by layer, with the tension mounting to a memorable and satisfying climax.

The delight in watching these two hugely popular stars at the top of their game is palpable, and one can easily forgive the minor flaws in logic and dull supporting characters. The director’s heightened noir is stylized, to be sure, but undeniably engaging, with special kudos to Charles D. Hall’s exemplary art direction.

Tonight, AC and his awesome panel of guests (Aaron AuBuchon, Stan Hyde, Bobby Zier) celebrate 90 years of The Black Cat, an extraordinary slice of Universal Classic Horror ripe for rediscovery by a new generation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB9zfegEo9M

**If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to the H101wDrAC channel - you won't want to miss what we have coming up next!**

Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!!


.