With the release of a new Mummy film this summer, Universal is once again dipping into the vaults for yet another edition of the 1932 classic "The Mummy" starring Boris Karloff. One can argue the merits of another release since the last was just a few years ago. Complicating matters is that the previous set was part of Universal’s Legacy Collection and featured all five mummy films that were made in the 30s and 40s. This set is called the "Legacy Series" and contains only the 1932 film along with a host of extras. Some of the extras appeared on the Legacy Collection set and some are new. More on the extras in a bit.
For The Mummy, Universal turned to Karl Freund to direct the project. Freund had been the Cinematographer on "Dracula" a year earlier and many credit him, rather than Director Tod Browning, for the film’s chilling gothic look. The screenplay was originally quite different than the final product. The plot was to do more with reincarnation with the character of Princess Anck-es-en-Amon going through a series of past lives. These scenes were shot (and you can see some of the stills in the DVD extras) but they were cut from the final project as the film was narrowed down to concentrate on the Egyptian motif, Egyptology being all the rage back during that period.
There’s a misconception about the mummy Imhotep, shambling about, taking revenge on those who disturbed his rest. Indeed, there was a lot of that going on in the four sequels but here, Karloff appears in full mummy makeup for only a few seconds. He opens his eyes and begins moving his arm in perhaps the film’s most famous scene. However, you never actually see the mummy walking. You only see the bandages trailing behind his feet after he takes the sacred scroll off the table. Considering it took makeup wizard Jack Pierce some eight hours to get Karloff ready, you have to wonder why Freund never actually showed him moving about. Freund was almost certainly going for the horror you don’t see being more terrifying but then why subject Karloff to the excruciating makeup in the first place for only a few brief seconds?
When we next see Karloff he has regenerated into the sinister and wizened form of Ardath Bey, courtesy of another great Jack Pierce creation. Ardath Bey has set his sights on Helen Grosvenor (Zita Johann) who is the reincarnation of his lost love, Anck-es-en-Amon. He plans to resurrect her spirit into Helen’s body by using the Scroll of Thoth. The Mummy was a virtual remake of "Dracula" with the Mummy taking the place of the Count, and Helen standing in for the Mina Harker character. Edward Van Sloan is on hand again playing Dr. Muller, a virtual copy of his Van Helsing character from Dracula. We even get David Manners playing another milquetoast love interest. The difference here is that The Mummy is superior in almost every way. Outside of Bela Lugosi and Van Sloan, and the creepy set pieces of the castle, Dracula moved painfully slow.
Zita Johann was beautiful, petite actress, with eyes that were wonderfully expressive. She is demure yet powerful. Ardath Bey was one of Karloff’s best performances. After being relegated to grunting in his roles for "Frankenstein" and the "The Old Dark House" Karloff was able to display his acting skills as the malevolent Egyptian. His withering stare where we get a close-up of his sunken eyes is one of the highlights of the film. Perhaps Freund knew that Karloff was terrifying enough as Ardath Bey and didn’t need him in the full Mummy makeup for more than a few seconds. No matter how many times you view it, "The Mummy" is right up there with the greatest horror classics.
Extras
DISC 1:
"Mummy Dearest: A Horror Tradition Unearthed" This featurette looks at the making film and previous came on the Legacy Collection set. It is hosted by film historian Rudy Behlmer.Feature Commentary by Film Historian Paul M. Jenson
Feature Commentary by Rick Baker, Scott Essman, Steve Haberman, Bob Burns, and Brent Armstrong. This commentary track is new to this edition
Posters & Stills
Trailer GalleryDISC 2
He Who Made Monsters: Life and Legacy of Jack Pierce This new featurette runs about 27:00 and is simply fabulous. Pierce is responsible for designing the look of The Mummy, Frankenstein’s Monster, The Wolfman and countless other classic monsters. Features comments by makeup gurus Tom Savini and Rick Baker, and Boris Karloff’s daughter, Sara.Unraveling the Legacy of The Mummy This is a short (8:00) look at the mummy films new and old. Mainly a promotional piece.
Universal Horror Documentary While not new, this 90 minute documentary is being included on DVD for the first time. Originally produced in 1999 for the TCM Network, this documentary looks at the history of Universal horror films from the silent era through the 40s but also looks at horror films from rival studios as well. Features comments by film historians as well as many surviving actors. Great piece!
