The Undying Monster (1942)

After a terrific start, the movie kind of fizzles, 12 October 2007

A curse hangs over the Hammond family. For years, the family has been haunted by a creature that's believed to be responsible for several deaths. When Oliver Hammond doesn't return home when his sister, Helga, thinks he should have, she becomes increasingly worried. Her fears are compounded by a strange sound coming from the cliffs not far away. It's the sound of a wolf, only deeper and richer. And, it's the sound she fears the most – the sound of death.

What a disappointment! While my rating isn't all that low, after the first ten minutes, I had high hopes for this one. The Undying Monster begins like it might just be one of the best horror movies ever made. A creepy rambling house, a dark night, a spooked Great Dane, a race along a narrow mountainside road, and the howl of a wolf – what a start! But then the plot begins to kick in and things really start to drop off. The movie almost seems to lose its way as it limps to its less than satisfactory conclusion. For example, Scotland Yard is called in and their investigation takes up at least 2/3 of the movie. And what does it lead to? Nothing. At least nothing that has much of a bearing the film's finale. What a waste!

Technically, the film is amazing. The highlights include excellent lighting, wonderful cinematography, terrifically rich sets, and nice special effects. Likewise, the acting is also strong point of the movie. With one exception, everyone involved does a fantastic job, none more so than Halliwell Hobbs as the butler Walton and Heather Angel as Helga. The exception is James Ellison. I'm not even sure what he's doing in a very British movie like The Undying Monster. His manner, not to mention his American accent, do not "fit" a Scotland Yard inspector.

5/10