tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post7933161503276059070..comments2024-03-08T18:49:51.289-05:00Comments on Classic Film and TV Café: The Black Cat (1934)Rick29http://www.blogger.com/profile/08358116647815569722noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-66885221159286283952013-05-16T18:42:18.405-04:002013-05-16T18:42:18.405-04:00I definitely would add this flick as the 2nd great...I definitely would add this flick as the 2nd great horror film that I would own on Bluray...along with Tournier's "Night Of The Demon" as these are my favorites...along with "Bride Of Frankenstein"<br /><br />I think "The Black Cat" may have been ahead of it's time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-7956573721688174722012-04-26T02:21:06.863-04:002012-04-26T02:21:06.863-04:00"The Black Cat" is one of my favorite ho..."The Black Cat" is one of my favorite horror films; I watch it every Halloween (I have the movie poster on my wall above me as I write). As chilling as it is, I'm always amused by Karloff's lisp when he says 'catsh,' but the film is otherwise atmospheric (and the best of the Karloff/Lugosi films). I have an abiding affection for Karloff (and I agree with the other writers that he is a better actor than Lugosi) but it is a treat to see Bela as the good (?)guy in this one. I recommend it to anyone who hasn't seen it and am proud to have it in my collection.Ace89https://www.blogger.com/profile/10910988855113730739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-30150430643153493742011-08-20T21:02:50.327-04:002011-08-20T21:02:50.327-04:00THE BLACK CAT is probably B&B's best pairi...THE BLACK CAT is probably B&B's best pairing; they're really on equal footing here (which is not so true in their subsequent teamings). Boris' Goth look is wonderful; his fashions would be current even today. The Bauhaus-influenced set design is stunning and really quite avant-garde. Probably the reason this film would not have received an Oscar nod is because of its genre (horror) and its low budget. But it's probably more watchable today than many 1930s Oscar winners. Enjoyed your excellent post!Grand Old Movieshttp://grandoldmovies.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-63587311522203043202011-03-02T00:10:37.789-05:002011-03-02T00:10:37.789-05:00Glad everyone enjoyed the post.
Rick & Toto, ...Glad everyone enjoyed the post.<br /><br />Rick & Toto, I'm glad you noticed the photos--I thought they were excellent examples of the great photography & lighting in the film.<br /><br />I haven't seen either The Raven or The Body Snatcher. I agree that Karloff was most probably the better of the two actors--though I like Lugosi in Ninotchka. Universal did make some classic monster/horror films. They got a nod this year at the Academy Awards for their work on the remake of the Wolf Man--though I haven't seen it, they did what looked like an awesome job with makeup and costumes.<br /><br />Again, glad you enjoyed the post!Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-44444150888704615182011-03-01T10:10:19.583-05:002011-03-01T10:10:19.583-05:00Kim, this is an excellent review of a classic Univ...Kim, this is an excellent review of a classic Universal entry. I was struck again with the beauty of the black and white cinematography. Shadow and light are key to setting the right tone in a horror film. The photos you posted speak volumes about that. Awesome post!toto2https://www.blogger.com/profile/09652682900471649463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-65690551752833599132011-02-27T23:08:30.909-05:002011-02-27T23:08:30.909-05:00great salute to poor EDGAR..up there with other ea...great salute to poor EDGAR..up there with other early 30s horror films like DRACULA...THE MUMMMY...FRANKENSTEIN...thanxdoctor sabelotodohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17753057330165133638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-79608712010616415392011-02-27T15:17:22.695-05:002011-02-27T15:17:22.695-05:00This is very high on my list of favourite old Univ...This is very high on my list of favourite old Universal horror films. It isn't often Lugosi could play the hero - somewhat twisted hero - but he does save the day. Great GREAT movie!panavia999https://www.blogger.com/profile/12022750065016664499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-82079472437659416662011-02-27T10:27:48.937-05:002011-02-27T10:27:48.937-05:00Kim I have always LOVED The Black Cat. Whenever i...Kim I have always LOVED The Black Cat. Whenever it's on, I'm psychologically forced to watch it...It is hard to believe that the Oscars ignored the set designer. It is a marvel, like a spooky Frank Lloyd Wright. It is one of the few sets that is ominous and frightening without being an a creepy old castle with a moat. <br /><br />I think both Lugosi and Karloff looked so dashing in this film (well, up until the end). Both were dressed and styled beautifully. And the storyline -- I'm surprised the censors allowed what was LEFT of the original, but it was good for us! Such as stealing Lugosi's wife, then using the daughter for the same dastardly purpose (I love the word "dastardly" - there aren't many opportunities to use it). The scene with the dead women is kind of a foreshadowing of modern, much less classy, too-bloody-for-words movies of serial killers. Too bad these modern movies depend upon grossness rather than the tools of the classic masters.<br /><br />Wonderful review of a favorite of mine!ClassicBeckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03591715859057540467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-53070173848656534902011-02-27T01:29:21.201-05:002011-02-27T01:29:21.201-05:00I love Universal's horror films. The studio ch...I love Universal's horror films. The studio churned out wonderful fright flicks on a budget, and I've always admired the heavy use of shadows, which adds atmosphere but was also to cover up the fact that there was no more set to be seen. I agree with Rick that Boris Karloff was a better actor than his frequent co-star. In fact, Karloff was quite good. If you haven't seen it, I'd recommend watching him in Val Lewton's THE BODY SNATCHER, as his performance is memorable. Thanks, Kim, for a supremely enjoyable read of a classic studio's movie with classic actors!sarkoffagushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00922698736476674377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-59458248639810530522011-02-26T22:50:25.071-05:002011-02-26T22:50:25.071-05:00Kim, I always link this film to THE RAVEN, which a...Kim, I always link this film to THE RAVEN, which also paired Karloff & Lugosi and was made around the same time. THE BLACK CAT is the better of the two films. Although short, it's not a fast-paced movie and Lugosi has a tendency to overact at times (I always thought Karloff was the much better actor of the two). Still, as you noted, the set design and photography are brilliant. They give the film a unique look and provide a genuinely chilling atmosphere. Your pics from the film are awesome!Rick29https://www.blogger.com/profile/08358116647815569722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-68259943210114606982011-02-26T19:38:05.054-05:002011-02-26T19:38:05.054-05:00I don't know how I've missed this film but...I don't know how I've missed this film but after your write up it sounds very appealing!<br />I loved Bela Lugosi so much regardless of what he was in.<br />This series has been so much fun to read so far I don't want it to end.<br />PagePagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15063277863578004836noreply@blogger.com