"The Frozen Ghost" was the fourth of six low budget "Inner Sanctum" mysteries based on the popular radio series of the day, produced by Universal between 1943 and 1945 and starring Lon Chaney Jr.
The film opens with mentalist Alex Gregor, aka Gregor the Great (Chaney) and his assistant Maura Daniel (Evelyn Ankers) guessing the secrets of a radio audience. A skeptic (Arthur Hohl) goes on stage to prove that Gregor is a fake. When Gregor tries to hypnotize the man, he falls over dead. Alex blames himself for the man's death and becomes depressed even though police Inspector Brant (Douglas Dumbrille) proves the man died of natural causes.
Still depressed, Alex breaks his engagement with Maura. Alex' manager, George Keene (Milburn Stone) conspires with Valerie Monet (Tala Birell) to have Alex stay at her place to get some rest. Valerie's home also houses a wax museum which she runs with her partner Rudi Polden (Martin Kosleck) who turns out to be a disgraced plastic surgeon. When Valerie's niece Nina (Elena Verdugo) becomes enamored of Alex, Rudi becomes jealous. Meanwhile Maura confronts Valerie over Alex' affections,
When Valerie suddenly disappears, Alex again is convinced that he is responsible. Inspecter Brant is called in by Nina to investigate. Brant begins to suspect Alex. Then Nina also disappears. Who is responsible for these disappearances and possible murders? Is Alex really a murderer, as he believes? What is the sinister Rudi's involvement in all of this?
Chaney as always is better than his material. He conveys real fear and guilt as a man who believes himself a murderer. Ankers has little to do and we don't get to hear her trademark blood curdling scream in this one. Dumbrille, usually cast as a villain, gets a change of pace as the police inspector. Stone is good as Gregor's trusted (or is he?) friend and manager.
Milburn Stone is best remembered as "Doc" on TV's "Gunsmoke" (1955-75). "B" movie fans will spot Dennis Moore as the radio announcer and Eddie Acuff as a reporter.
A better mystery than some would have you believe.
The film opens with mentalist Alex Gregor, aka Gregor the Great (Chaney) and his assistant Maura Daniel (Evelyn Ankers) guessing the secrets of a radio audience. A skeptic (Arthur Hohl) goes on stage to prove that Gregor is a fake. When Gregor tries to hypnotize the man, he falls over dead. Alex blames himself for the man's death and becomes depressed even though police Inspector Brant (Douglas Dumbrille) proves the man died of natural causes.
Still depressed, Alex breaks his engagement with Maura. Alex' manager, George Keene (Milburn Stone) conspires with Valerie Monet (Tala Birell) to have Alex stay at her place to get some rest. Valerie's home also houses a wax museum which she runs with her partner Rudi Polden (Martin Kosleck) who turns out to be a disgraced plastic surgeon. When Valerie's niece Nina (Elena Verdugo) becomes enamored of Alex, Rudi becomes jealous. Meanwhile Maura confronts Valerie over Alex' affections,
When Valerie suddenly disappears, Alex again is convinced that he is responsible. Inspecter Brant is called in by Nina to investigate. Brant begins to suspect Alex. Then Nina also disappears. Who is responsible for these disappearances and possible murders? Is Alex really a murderer, as he believes? What is the sinister Rudi's involvement in all of this?
Chaney as always is better than his material. He conveys real fear and guilt as a man who believes himself a murderer. Ankers has little to do and we don't get to hear her trademark blood curdling scream in this one. Dumbrille, usually cast as a villain, gets a change of pace as the police inspector. Stone is good as Gregor's trusted (or is he?) friend and manager.
Milburn Stone is best remembered as "Doc" on TV's "Gunsmoke" (1955-75). "B" movie fans will spot Dennis Moore as the radio announcer and Eddie Acuff as a reporter.
A better mystery than some would have you believe.