Underskog

“The Black Sleep” is a glorious, elegant all-star “monster romp” in black and white from Hollywood’s “ghoulden era.” The film has it all: rich performances (both mimed and spoken), evocative sets, lighting and cinematography, an involving story and detailed script, mad science, swirling mists, dark London streets, gaslight, an old abbey (complete with an oaken door with a medieval viewing-window), rumblings of thunder, burning candles, horse-drawn carriages, elegant costumes and period (1872 England) detail, gigantic fireplaces with sliding panels, shadowy corridors replete with ghostly “knight’s armory” lurking in dark corners, sinister music, hidden torchlit chambers, suggestive sound-effects, subtly chilling props and special effects (including clanking chains, coffins, syringes, a musty skull, and a pulsating brain!), a moody matte-painting of a castle atop a hill overlooking a valley of gnarled, wind-blown branches and gruesome monster make-up.

Do not forget about a stunning ensemble cast of mystery and terror specialists that features Basil Rathbone, Akim Tamiroff, Lon Chaney, Jr., John Carradine, Bela Lugosi and Tor Johnson!

A well-produced tale of terror, directed by Reginald LeBorg (who helmed such other favorite shockers as “The Mummy’s Ghost,” “Diary of a Madman” and the above-mentioned “Voodoo Island.”). Curl up on a cold February evening and enjoy “The Black Sleep”!