Over the past week, I have been catching up on
a bunch of the Universal horror/crime films of the 1930s and 40's, but somehow
without crossing the path of Lon Cheney Jr. After years of small parts (with
the exception Of Mice and Men in 1939), Cheney signed up with Universal.
Probably due to his name, they put him in a horror film in this, his Universal
debut. They must have been happy because Cheney was to become one of the
mainstays in their horror films of the 40s - The Wolf Man, Ghost of Frankenstein,
The Mummy's Tomb, Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man, Son of Dracula as well
as the Inner Sanctum series. Not many people praise his acting ability, but
he carries the weight of stolid seriousness and empathy with him. In this
film, he is almost a reflection of his character in Of Mice and Men.
This is your basic mad scientist film with
that role played with glee by Lionel Atwill. He played mad scientists and
villains in a nicely low key manner. His very ordinary looks made it possible
to take on many characters and you rarely remember him. His soon to be scandal
of showing porn films and having orgies at his house feels so counter to
his bland boring appearance. Like so many mad scientists, he wants to create
a super race. One bred on electricity. At the invitation of his partner (Samuel
Hinds), Cheney comes to stay. He was in a bus accident in which everyone
else was electrocuted to death. But Cheney felt fine. An immunity.
Atwill eyes practically shine. A perfect
specimen for his experiments. On the sly. Cheney who is this wonderfully
gentle and kind man agrees to be his subject. He is strapped in and given
higher and higher doses of electricity. Till he glows. And his touch kills.
But his dog never stops loving him. A decent 60-minute B film with some special
effects and a fine performance from everyone.
