All Star Mash Up

THE GIFT OF GAB-1934-This ancient relic from Universal Pictures takes place in a radio station and features several musical numbers. Around the 45 minute mark Bela Lugosi shows up in a closet with a smoking gun and says “What time is it?”. About a minute later Boris Karloff shows up (billed “Karloff”) in top hat and cape, smokes a cigarette and laughs maniacally. The main leads are Edmund Lowe (who starred as CHANDU with Bela the year before) and Gloria Stuart (THE INVISIBLE MAN and SECRET OF THE BLUE ROOM the year before). Also appearing include the great Sterling Holloway, Ruth Etting, Chester Morris, Phil Baker, Paul Lukas, Ethel Waters and many others. Originally The 3 Stooges were supposed to be in the cast but they signed on with Columbia Pictures and were replaced by some clones.

https://moviemeltdown.blogspot.com/2019/08/the-blue-room.html

It's only one of three films the famous cinematographer Karl Freud directed (the other 2 are THE MUMMY and MAD LOVE). Gloria Stuart had starred with Boris two years earlier in THE OLD DARK HOUSE.

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Der Golem!

THE GOLEM-1920-This famous German film, based on a legend is very dark and very fascinating. When the stars foretell an astrologer Rabbi Loew that there is danger in store for the Jews of Prague (as it turns out the King wants to expel them) he creates The Golem (director George Wegener), a clay statue brought to life by an ancient spell. It's power lies in the Star of David (with a name on it) attached to it's chest. He's very strong and sometimes child-like but mostly he seems bored. He's first used mainly as a servant chopping wood, carrying water and even going to market with a basket!

At The Rose Festival The Golem saves the king's life (who then rescinds his decree) while the Rabbi's daughter Miriam and the knight Florian have an affair. With the danger passed Loew decides The Golem isn't needed anymore (the clay fella seems to be getting a little to independent anyway) and plans to destroy him but a celebration delays the destruction. The Rabbi's assistant (who is sweet on Miriam) revives the creature to get jealous revenge on her secret lover. Things get out of control: Florian is thrown to his death, the astrologer's house burns down and Herr Golem hits the streets while dragging Miriam by her hair!). Some little children spell his doom at the end.

This was the third time actor/director Paul Wegener made a film based on the Golem legend but unfortunately the first two films are lost. This version was photographed by the great Karl Freund who later shot METROPOLIS. He later brought his talents to America (and directed THE MUMMY with Karloff and MAD LOVE with Peter Lorre). It must have had an impact on James Whale as there are many FRANKENSTEIN parallels.

Strangely, despite their involvement with mysticism the Jews of Prague themselves and their devotion to God are shown sympathetically yet Wegener stayed in Germany after the rise of Hitler and made propaganda films for the Nazis! He died in 1948.

This film by the way is in the public domain. Thanks again to Tony for getting me this!

For another review of Wegener:http://moviemeltdown.blogspot.com/2011/03/silent-magic.html

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