Lon Chaney may be the reason most people see this film but he isn’t the star. The hero is Johnny Arthur, a wannabe detective who took a correspondence course. Old dark house flick with mad scientists and general creepiness, it just misses being a classic in the genre. Not without its pleasures and better if you go in knowing what to expect.
(And before Buster Keaton fans get worked up, the original stage play upon which this film is based was made BEFORE Sherlock Jr. Knives sheathed? Good.)
How does it end? Hover or tap below for a spoiler.
Johnny saves the day by managing to cook Chaney’s brain with his own electric chair. Happy endings for all! (Well, except Chaney and co.)
If it were a dessert it would be: A chocolate bar with almonds but they forgot to add the almonds. More disappointing based on expectation rather than actual flaws.
Read my full-length review here.
Availability: Released on DVD by Warner Archive with a fun, jazzy score.
Movies Silently 
This is a truly campy creepy film that really deserves more attention. And Chaney is sooo sinister in it!!!
Agreed! It’s a ton of fun. I think a lot of viewers get disappointed because there is comparatively little Chaney but he is such a blast when he does show up. 🙂
He’s like the creepiest, campiest truly sinister wacko necrophile! it’s a very decadent film!