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While film likeDraculaandFrankensteintook the public by storm and established Universal Studios as a power station of horror , they were also producing other Greco-Roman affright films . plumbery the depths of horror literature , and their own imaginations , Universal delivered quite a few chillers without any colossus at all .
From the creepy supernatural inIsland of Lost Souls , to the barbarity of story inTower of London , Universal Studios served up so much more than just theirClassic Monsters . Even decennium later , some of these picture show still chill the witness to the pearl .
The Mad Ghoul (1943)
With its loud and evocative title , The insane Ghoullets the consultation know precisely what they are in for even before the film starts . The story follows a university professor who uses an ancient gaseous state to turn one of his colleagues into a homicidal body snatcher so as to steal his girlfriend away from him .
draw inspiration from even older horror films likethe classic terrifying silent filmThe Cabinet of Dr. Caligari , the motion picture has a slow and creepy pace . While it is quaint by today ’s standard , there is something rightfully frightening about the plot of land of the motion picture . The subtle constitution used on the ghoul is also quite scary , and adds to the dreadful air as he mosey toward his next dupe .
Man-Made Monster (1941)
Bringing in elements of scientific discipline fiction , Man - Made Monsteradded a strange crinkle to theFrankensteinconcept . After a freak accident leaves him immune to electricity , a man is taken in by a sore scientist who hopes to grow him into an electrically power zombi in lodge to do his bid .
Giving his usually spirited execution as a lusus naturae , actor Lon Chaney Jr. play the part with terrific human race . As a person who is being used by science to commit wickedness , Chaney ’s carrying into action is scary and sympathetic at the same time . Playing off of the audience ’s fear of unknown science , Man - Made Monsteris reminiscent of the science fiction film of the 1950s that would play on the audience ’s awe of the atomic historic period .
House Of Horrors (1946)
Eschewing the supernatural or science fable , House of Horrorsdelivers its panic with a healthy dose of naive realism . A spurned statue maker rescues a drowning murderer and adjudicate to use the killer to get revenge against all of the critics that have wronged him .
Using thespian Rondo Hatton ’s factual face in the motion-picture show , the creators ofHouse of Horrorshoped to introduce a fresh classic screen giant . As for the film , the pacing is crispy and the film noir visuals keep the pic interesting to check throughout . Though the retaliation plot of ground is standard , the filmmaking techniques used , along with Hatton ’s creepy performance , make it trulya authoritative 1940s repugnance film .
Black Friday (1940)
play together two of their biggest repulsion all - star , Universal had a surefire hit on their hand withBlack Friday . Desperate to save his admirer ’s life , a surgeon transfer the genius of a life-threatening mobster into his body . Soon , the Doctor start to learn that his operation is having out of the blue outcome on his friend ’s personality .
Though it fall more into the mobster and film noir class , there is also a goodish VD of horror inBlack Friday . Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff act as off of one another brilliantly , and it is terrifying to watch the evil personality slowly take over Lugosi as he turns into a crook himself . Though the duo would make better films together , Black Fridaywas a unique horror experiment .
Murders In The Rue Morgue (1932)
new off their achiever with Lugosi as Count Dracula , Universal apace cast him in other revulsion persona to capitalise on his popularity . Murders in the Rue Morgueloosely pulls its plot from an Edgar Allen Poe story , and keep an eye on a sore scientist who hopes to mingle ape blood with human so as to create a first-rate - powered adult male .
Though it feature one ofthe silliest ape in horror movie history , it is ground by a terrifying performance by Lugosi . Helped along by exaggerated makeup , Lugosi ’s dim pitch is creepy , and the atmospherical nature of the moving-picture show sticks with the viewer long after .
Tower Of London (1939)
Proving that history is one of the chilling sources for repulsion films , Tower of Londonis a dark spirit at the past . Duke Richard lusts for the pot of England but finds that he must off everyone in line of credit for the crown before he can take his royal seat .
With Boris Karloff as the freakish executioner , Tower of Londonhas all of the trappings of a classic chiller . Basil Rathbone ’s performance as Richard is elusive and creepy-crawly , and it is truly terrifying to see him take delight in his malign deed of conveyance . Outside of the public presentation , the dank dungeons and ancient castles make for a flighty setting for a classic horror story .
The Raven (1935)
Loosely merge elements from several Edgar Allen Poe stories , The Ravenonce again reunited Universal ’s dynamical twain of horror . Dr. Vollin is a scientist with an unhealthy compulsion with knightly torture implements . When he save the sprightliness of a young woman , he becomes more and more jealous and genitive of her .
Lugosi need the jumper cable while Karloff follows as the silent ogre assistant . While the makeup is cheesy by today ’s banner , Karloff still oversee to give a spirited performance through the prosthetics that befog one-half of his face . The picture effectively ramp up its tension as the audience watches Dr. Vollin slowly fall behind his grip on world .
The Black Cat (1934)
Borrowing its name only from Poe , The Black Cathas its own fearful ideas and presents an alone raw story . An American couplet becomes trapped in the home of a Satan - worship priest after they are affect in a close - fatal car accident .
Karloff and Lugosi do conflict in the picture as two conflicting minds , while the American duo is trapped in the middle . Karloff ’s functioning is spooky as the non-Christian priest , and Lugosi is quite convincing as the demented scientist out for retaliation . With spectre ofThe Pit and the Pendulum , the picture ’s ending is truly shocking for the thirties .
The Old Dark House (1932)
Like its name entail , The Old Dark Houseis the cinematic equivalent weight of run through the best haunted business firm attraction . A honeymooning couple makes a wrong turn and finds themselves on the threshold of a unknown mansion . seek tax shelter from a storm , the duo spend a terrifying night on the Femm family estate .
With the sound of pouring pelting omnipresent , and the wall covered in spooky cobweb , The Old Dark Houseis a feast for the senses . Boris Karloff appear as the silent Samuel Butler and deliver a carrying into action that is scary enough to make the audience much leap out of their skins . Though it sounds rather generic , The Old Dark Houseisa film from the 1930s that is still shuddery today .
Island Of Lost Souls (1932)
With the revulsion novelThe Island of Dr. Moreauas its inhalation , Island of Lost Soulsproved once again that lit was a great source for chilling movies . When a shipwreck sailor wash up on a mysterious island , he shortly finds himself at the center of Dr. Moreau ’s ghastly intercrossed experiments .
With a bright performance from Charles Laughton as Dr. Moreau , the film also features Bela Lugosi in one of the demon theatrical role that he would find himself type in . While succeeding adaptation of the record would habituate safe special effects on its human hybrid , few could rival the aura of the original motion picture . away from its science - fiction influences , Island of Lost Soulsis essentially an absolutely torturing repugnance write up as well .
NEXT:10 Universal Monster Movies That Hammer Perfectly Re - Envisioned
