Face Behind The Mask

FACE BEHIND MASK-1941-Another underrated masterpiece by French born director Robert Florey who almost directed the original FRANKENSTEIN in 1931. (He did co-write the screenplay but due to James Whales’s machinations received no credit)

Peter Lorre (also in the director's BEAST WITH FIVE FINGERS) plays Janos Szabo, an innocent but hard working immigrant who’s horribly disfigured in a fire. Unable to procure a job after his accident he turns to a life of crime and becomes a successful gang leader. But he decides quit crime after meeting a blind woman (Evelyn Keyes). Betrayal, death and revenge follow. Don Beddoe and George Stone co-star. Frank Reicher as a doctor has an unbilled role. Lorre (who was in THE MALTESE FALCON and ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT the same year) gives a very moving portrayal. Florey made MEET BOSTON BLACKIE the same year. It was based on a play called INTERIM.

"More than an end to war, we want an end to the beginning of all wars -- yes, an end to this brutal, inhuman and thoroughly impractical method of settling the differences between governments."-Franklin D. Roosevelt.

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