1926
Dir Henrik Galeen
Starring: Conrad Veidt and Werner Krauss
*Spoilers follow*
This remake of a 1913 version starring Paul Wegner is the story of a Balduin , the student, this time played by Conrad Veidt.
The film begins with a shot of a monument and ends with the same shot but with the inscription readable on a title card, "This monument is dedicated to Balduin, the best fencer in Prague. He gambled with evil and lost. Pray for the redemption of his soul, you wanderer. Adieu, Balduin"
The story picks up in 1826 where the ever popular, Balduin is running low on funds and finds himself dissatisfied with his current position. He is approached by Scapinelli, a mysterious stranger, played by Krauss (He played Dr. Caligari alongside Veidt in The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari). Scapinelli makes Balduin an offer of money and Balduin remarks he really needs a rich woman.
A hunt is held by the wealthy Count Schwarzenberg. His daughter, Margaret, and fiance, a Baron are partaking in the festivities. Scapinelli reveals himself as having supernatural powers by standing on a hill and controlling the pace of the hunt and particularly Margaret's horse. He causes the horse to throw her just as Balduin comes upon her. Balduin rescues the young woman coming into her good graces and a rivalry with her fiance begins.
Balduin's lack of money is a barrier to his attempts to court Margaret and Scapinelli makes him a deal. Scapinelli offers him 600,00 gold crowns for anything that can be found in Balduin's room. The deal is made and Scapinelli amazingly produces the coins. Scapinelli begins to look around the room for what he wants in exchange and stops at the full length mirror. In the mirror is Balduin's reflection and it is what Scapinelli wants in return. Balduin entreats the reflection to seperate from Balduin and leave the mirror. The doppleganger leaves with Scapinelli.Balduin wastes no time spending the money. Making charitable donations and buys a house and then begins to seriously sway Margaret.
The rivalry between Balduin and her fiance intensifies and results in a proposed fencing duel between the two, a bad idea for the Baron. Count Schwarzenberg pleads Balduin to spare the life of the young Baron. Balduin gives his word he will not kill the him.
Balduin's doppleganger, however feels no compunction to honor Balduin's word and shows up in place of Balduin and kills Margaret's fiance. This ruins Balduin's reputation and the reflection goes on to continue finding ways to wreck Balduin's life.
The story ends when Balduin confronts his relection in front of the mirror. He shoots the doppleganger and the mirror breaks as the bullet seemingly passes through the doppleganger/ reflection. The doppleganger disappears but Balduin collapses to the floor gripping his chest. He dies looking at his reflection returned in the broken mirror.
No doubt the greatest improvement over the 1913 version is the substitution of Conrad Veidt in the title role. Though Paul Wegner was a formidable horror star in the early silents, Veidt was a master. In my opinion, only Chaney surpasses Veidt's talents and screen presence. Movies were also generally better made 13 years after the original.
The Student of Prague would be made again but this in my mind is the definitive version.
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Black Moon
1934
Director: Roy William Neil
Starring: Fay Wray & Jack Holt
Occaisonally an unexpected treat comes along and such was the case this week. Rarely do I come across a horror film (particularly from the classic period) I'm unfamiliar with. Though I'm not an expert of the genre like say a Tom Weaver who has wrote extensive books on the horror genre or a William Everson who taught classes in universities about the genre, I still have been a fan for nearly 50 years and have given presentations at a local convention on the genre including "The Evolution of the Universal Monster", "An Introduction to the British Horror Film", "Universal & Hammer an Analytical Comparison"and "The Concept of Horror In the Doctor Who Universe". My collection of Horror films numbers near 1500 and is represented by films from all over the world. Yet, I dare say I miss one from time to time.
While reading an article in Monsters From the Vault 28 about Roy William Neil, who directed most of the Basil Rathbone Sherlock Holmes movies as well as various horror movies, a short paragraph mentioned his first horror film- Black Moon- starring Jack Holt and Fay Wray. "What is this?" I thought. I couldn't believe I hadn't come across this movie, particularly when my favorite heroine from the classic horror period, Fay Wray, was starring. I was humbled. I quickly got out my Encyclopedia of the Horror Film, a tome where nearly every horror film, through the early 90s of worth is listed and commented on. I didn't find a listing. I felt a little less stupid.
It wasn't long before I found myself engaged in searching for a copy of the film. I got hold of a copy recorded from a TCM broadcast and was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the film.
The movie concerns a woman, Juanita, with a devoted husband, Stephen played by Holt, and daughter. She is drawn to go back to the Caribbean Island of San Christopher where she was raised. Early on she is seen compusively drumming out the sounds of the island's natives. Her husband agrees to send her back to the island for a holiday. Her uncle who still resides on the island tries to send a warning to keep her away, as the natives too have become restless, but the message is intercepted.
Juanita, along with her daughter, her daughter's nanny and Stephen's secretery Gail (Fay Wray), who is sent to protect Juanita, embarks on the island.
They are greeted by her uncle who appears to be cruel to the island's natives. He is concerned Juanita's presence will only further rile the natives. The native's treat Juanita as a goddess. Her uncle explains she was "poisoned by the voodoo" as a child.
Stephen responds to a request to come and take his wife home but finds himself trapped on the island with the others after his arrival.
The natives are presented as threatening, superstitious and eventually they begin partaking in voodoo rites and human sacrifice.
A particular treat is the fine performance of Clarence Muse as the boat man named "Lunch". He is the lone sympathetic black character and his character is easily appreciated.
The movie fits nicely between the better known "White Zombie" and Val Lewton's "I Walked with a Zombie" though no Zombies make an appearance, there is much similarity with the latter.
Jack Holt and Fay Wray turn in excellect performances, and the building atmosphere, including the incessant sound of drums and pace of the film make this a true gem worth discovery.
The message can be heard at