Reviews

This one was popular in 1931. The tribute to Knute Rockne was a nice touch. But today, it is just a standard football drama. J. Farrell MacDonald is excellent as the coach. For old-time movie buffs, it is an OK film to watch.

Very dated film. Overacted to the point of absurd. Story is OK but presentation is sloppy. Direction is only fair. This one should be forgotten.

Talk about a film that fans either hate or love. My opinion is that it was the first to tackle this kind of horror story and, as such, is fairly well done. Oland is excellent. Hull is OK in spots but reportedly hated this role and did not give his all. Production is very good. Hajos composed his finest score for this film. There are some long stretches of uninteresting dialogue and situations here, the fight between Hull and Matthews is sloppily handled, and the comedy relief is just not very funny. But the first attack, the sequence where Hull prays for help, and the finale (with some wonderful Hajos music playing in the background) all are memorable. So it is a mixed bag but worth a look for old-time horror fans.

This is probably the silliest WW2 film made during the war. But if you dismiss that fact, you find yourself enjoying a well-made piece of Hollywood escapism. Everyone in the cast seems to enjoy themselves. Walsh's direction is good and Max Steiner provides a really exciting and stirring score. So who's quibbling?

This film is generally forgotten because the only star in it that is remembered today is Edward G. Robinson. While he gives an outstanding performance, it is the entire cast who should receive accolades. Dieterle's direction, the photography, a truly excellent script and Steiner's music are all part of a near-perfect biography. Most highly recommended!

A lot of kids remember this serial from 1950s television broadcasts. But it is simply one of the silliest of Universal's serials. You do enjoy Lugosi hamming it up. But it is really just too much. OK for laughs.

What can one say about this film? Absolutely delightful! And how many times have YOU seen it? Even in these R-rated movie times, people will still look at this one and enjoy its many wonders. A lot of work went into it. It is an American movie treasure!

One of my fondest memories as a boy was watching this film with my brothers and cousins on a rainy Saturday night on WOR. I think this movie deserves all the praise it has achieved over the years. Karloff was absolutely tremendous, Thesiger and Lanchester created the roles of their lives, and James Whale's direction was flawless. Franz Waxman created THE best Universal music score of the 1930s for this bonafide classic. So I guess I like this movie.

OK. So the plot and dialogue are wobbly today. And it may not be politically correct. But watch this one for a magnificent performance from Bette Davis. Add one of Max Steiner's most effective scores and you have a winner from 1938.

As a kid, I could not wait to see this film run on television. There was always something new to enjoy with each viewing. Recently had a chance to screen these Universal horror classics for some children (ages 5 to 9 years old). This was their favorite! Marvelous photography, exquisite performances (especially Karloff and Thesiger), and top-notch direction by the now very famous James Whale. Add to this one of the most revered musical scores ever committed to a film by the maestro Franz Waxman. It is truly a film classic!

Pikachu is very cute. Special effects galore. Memorable for all kids! Pikachu says pi-ka-chu. We love it!

One of the best horror films of the 30s. The only criticism lies in some of the acting by the secondary characters. Otherwise, superb direction, magnificent Hal Mohr photography, good script and story, and excellent music score by Bernhard Kaun (which was NOT listed in the credits by the way). Even if you are not a horror fan, it rates high as a rainy day diversion.

Really would like to recommend this one but forget it. The serial becomes boring after chapter 2 and stays that way until chapter 9. Short screams at anything! Beery is lousy! Dialogue is dumb! It DOES get better when they reach the lost kingdom of Mu however. John Davidson gives a sinister performance here but he comes way too late in the serial. Music is repetitious for the most part until chapter 10. The feature version "Savage Fury" is much better because it concentrates on final chapter footage. A misfire for Universal here.

One of the most beautifully photographed films ever made! It is a bit disarming to see "guest stars" pop up though. It was not needed at all. The cast here is most capable. Newman wrote a magnificent music score. A worthy film in many ways. Perhaps too harshly criticized by some. Should be seen at least once.

This film gets better with each viewing! Great acting by Karloff and Lugosi! Photography and direction are top-notch. Heinz Roemheld deserves praise for his musical score and adaptation. Wish they would restore this to the original script..what a treat that would be!

One of the most famous of all movie serials! Still interesting today although it does have an "old movie" look to it. The second serial looks better but simply does not equal this one. Actors have a good time , especially Middleton and Lipson. Great editing by the Universal expert crew. The musical score was tracked in from Universal's "Destination Unknown", "The Invisible Man", "The Black Cat", and "Werewolf of London". And what great action music it was! If there was a choice for all-time best serial, this (arguably) should be #1.

Saw this when I was a kid. It wasn't the monsters that interested me though. The musical score is tremendous. Why was such an elaborate work put in this film? Also a very good cast. All went on to TV series on their own. If you enjoy the 50s monster movies, here's a good choice for a late night.

Not sure how to rate this one. Love the sets and Steiner's music. Acting was a little too melodramatic. A mixed bag but certainly memorable. Take a look for yourself.

Strong stuff from Universal. Good cast and acting. O'Brien's scenes are most memorable. Especially at the end. Story and dialogue are excellent.

What a surprise this film was! Enjoyable throughout. All production work is very good. That musical score is excellent. Rarely shown because of its age and because "it's a Universal Picture". Deserves a revival on late night TV.

Some overacting in this Whale drama. Still fascinating to watch. Lukas and Morgan should have exchanged roles. Definitely one for the ever-growing James Whale fans to savor. Others might have a hard time with it.

Charming film. Lukas is not quite suited to the role. Music is played too loud throughout although it is good music. Whale must have done this quick. Not a whole lot of Whale genius here. Still enjoyable for fans of the period.

This one could have been better. Still interesting and good to look at. The re-recorded music is somewhat diluted because the orchestra was smaller than the one used in the original recordings. Warde is only fair as Killer Kane but Crabbe does a good job as Buck. Worth a look but it is no "Flash Gordon".

This direct sequel to the now classic "Flash Gordon" is quite good. Polished look helps. Acting is better. But it does drag a bit once you get to Chapter 9. The tracked musical score is great. Charles Middleton made a great Ming the Merciless. All in all, fun film but not as good as the first serial. Many believe this one to be the best.

Sad to say, this sequel is way below the original. Last half is all action but you must wait a few reels. OK there is Steiner music and OB's special effects, but man what happened?? Before you know it, the film is over. And you feel disappointed. Little Kong is very charming and memorable. Tongue-in-cheek dialogue helps. What if they were given more time on this one? At least, it is worth viewing on a rainy day.