Review of The Strange Door

While the movie publicity foregrounds Boris Karloff as the "sell" for this picture, it's actually Charles Laughton's vehicle more than Boris's (Boris is relegated to a supporting role as a wily henchman ready to slit throats for his master who is imprisoned by Laughton's diabolical Sire de Maletroit). But there's plenty to chew on even for Boris purists, as he has some choice moments here and there and eventually saves the day (oops! should I not have told you?). The film is full of splendid atmosphere, but may seem like fluff to contemporary audiences who can't fathom the "issue" importance of pretty Sally Forest being married off to a rogue against her wishes (you see, in those days people were wed for life). And still, the film is really about mood over material and -- in my humble opinion -- it succeeds beautifully as a lesser-known thriller of court intrigue and swashbuckling derring-do. Laughton is superlative as a sleazy nobleman whose personal hatred of his imprisoned brother drives him to make every attempt to dash the happiness of the niece in his charge. Supporting players are fine also, with the always lurid Michael Pate on hand as well as William Cottrell as Laugton's sadistic servants. Nothing supernatural here, necessarily, as one might hope from a movie combining the talents of Laughton and Karloff, but the Robert Louis Stevenson based-story doesn't disappoint from a romantic or melodramatic standpoint. Even Richard Stapley's somewhat fey hero (who doesn't seem remotely like the rogue Laughton believes him to be) can't sink this one. Whoever said it was dull obviously doesn't have much to work with in terms of an imagination. Pop some popcorn, curl up on the sofa late at night, and enjoy this period-piece. How often do we get to see Laughton cackling away in a dungeon (where he goes "to relax" as he puts it)...or Karloff as the hero...?