Lon Chaney, Jr (Alex Gregor), Evelyn Ankers (Maura Daniel), Milburn Stone (George Keene), Tala Birrell (Valerie Monet), Elena Verdugo (Nina), Martin Kosleck (Rudi), Douglass Dumbrille (inspector), Arthur Hohl (inebriated contestant), Pauline Drake (Mabel), Dennis Moore (announcer), William Haade (policeman), Leyland Hodgson (doctor).
Director: HAROLD YOUNG. Screenplay: Bernard Schubert, Luci "Quick- Draw" Ward. Story: Henry Sucher (also adaptation), Harrison Carter. Photography: Paul Ivano. Film editor: Fred Feitshans, Jr. Art directors: John B. Goodman and Abraham Grossman. Set decorator: Russell A. Gausman. Costumes designed by Vera West. Sound recording supervisor: Bernard B. Brown. Associate producer: Will Cowan.
Copyright 20 November 1944 by Universal. New York opening at the Rialto: 27 July 1945. U.S. release: 29 June 1945. U.K. release: 1 October 1945. Australian release: 19 April 1945. 5,568 feet. 61 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: A professional hypnotist fears he has the will to kill.
NOTES: This Universal series commenced with Calling Dr Death in 1943. It was followed by Weird Woman, Dead Man's Eyes, The Frozen Ghost (all 1944), Strange Confession, Pillow of Death (both 1945), and Inner Sanctum (1948). The first six films all starred Lon Chaney, Jr. The seventh film, starring Mary Beth Hughes and Charles Russell, was a Film Classics release that is currently available on an Alpha DVD. (Universal DVD box set of six titles rates 9 out of ten).
COMMENT: Fourth of the seven "Inner Sanctum Mysteries", "The Frozen Ghost" is much more entertaining than the odd title might suggest, thanks largely to the inventive direction of Harold Young.
The story itself is not all that involving. Anyone who is genuinely surprised by the various twists and turns of the complicated plot has obviously not sat through too many of these "B" delights.
What makes "The Frozen Ghost" entertaining is not the script, nor even the wooden "acting" of cult hero, Lon Chaney, Jr. (who is actually more animated than usual), but the cast of seasoned players led by such lights as Evelyn Ankers, Elena Verdugo, Tala Birell and particularly Douglass Dumbrille, who easily steals the acting honors.
I love all Dmbrille's scenes, whereas Martin Kosleck, who seems ideally cast, disappoints.
Paul Ivano's lighting photography is not up to scratch either.
Director: HAROLD YOUNG. Screenplay: Bernard Schubert, Luci "Quick- Draw" Ward. Story: Henry Sucher (also adaptation), Harrison Carter. Photography: Paul Ivano. Film editor: Fred Feitshans, Jr. Art directors: John B. Goodman and Abraham Grossman. Set decorator: Russell A. Gausman. Costumes designed by Vera West. Sound recording supervisor: Bernard B. Brown. Associate producer: Will Cowan.
Copyright 20 November 1944 by Universal. New York opening at the Rialto: 27 July 1945. U.S. release: 29 June 1945. U.K. release: 1 October 1945. Australian release: 19 April 1945. 5,568 feet. 61 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: A professional hypnotist fears he has the will to kill.
NOTES: This Universal series commenced with Calling Dr Death in 1943. It was followed by Weird Woman, Dead Man's Eyes, The Frozen Ghost (all 1944), Strange Confession, Pillow of Death (both 1945), and Inner Sanctum (1948). The first six films all starred Lon Chaney, Jr. The seventh film, starring Mary Beth Hughes and Charles Russell, was a Film Classics release that is currently available on an Alpha DVD. (Universal DVD box set of six titles rates 9 out of ten).
COMMENT: Fourth of the seven "Inner Sanctum Mysteries", "The Frozen Ghost" is much more entertaining than the odd title might suggest, thanks largely to the inventive direction of Harold Young.
The story itself is not all that involving. Anyone who is genuinely surprised by the various twists and turns of the complicated plot has obviously not sat through too many of these "B" delights.
What makes "The Frozen Ghost" entertaining is not the script, nor even the wooden "acting" of cult hero, Lon Chaney, Jr. (who is actually more animated than usual), but the cast of seasoned players led by such lights as Evelyn Ankers, Elena Verdugo, Tala Birell and particularly Douglass Dumbrille, who easily steals the acting honors.
I love all Dmbrille's scenes, whereas Martin Kosleck, who seems ideally cast, disappoints.
Paul Ivano's lighting photography is not up to scratch either.