Countdown to Halloween – Day 1: The Monster (1925)
Cast:      Lon Chaney as Dr. Ziska
Gertrude Olmstead as Betty Watson
               Johnny Arthur as Johnny Goodlittle
               Walter James as Caliban

Stage play by Crane Wilbur (House of Wax)
Adapted by Roland West
Directed by Roland West (The Bat, The Bat Whispers)

Plot: When a series of mysterious disappearances point to the recently closed insane asylum, Johnny the store clerk becomes an aspiring detective in hopes of solving the crimes and winning the affection of Betty Watson. He’s laughed at by all of the locals but who is the mysterious Dr. Ziska and why are the lights on at the asylum?

Personal Thoughts: When you think of horror films and Lon Chaney Sr., your mind immediately conjurs up images of hunchbacks and phantoms. Chaney was a legendary makeup artist but his skills are barely seen in The Monster. Instead, we’re treated to a fun old, dark house type of film that unexpectedly blends comedy and horror. There is truly some creepy scenery, from the shrouded man lurking in the trees to servant Caliban demanding presence. While Chaney’s skills are much more evident in other films, he does portray one of the screen’s earliest mad scientists and gives a fun performance in what ultimately is a lighthearted romp perfect for starting off the Halloween season.

Trivia:

Based on an original stage play that opened in New York in 1922.
Walter James also played Caliban in the stage play.

Availability:

Available on DVD as part of the Warner Brothers Archive Collection.

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Countdown to Halloween Day 1 - The Monster (1925)

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