#163. The Black Cat (1934)

DVD Synopsis: Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff star in this shocking horror classic of Satanism and murder. Honeymooners Joan and Peter Allison are stranded and forced to spend the night at the home of sinister Herr Poelzig (Karloff). They soon learn they are being held captive in the mausoleum and that Poelzig is the high priest at Black Mass. He has chosen Joan to be the Devil's bride. David races to save his wife from Poelzig's unspeakable treachery in the unforgettable climax.

Karloff and Lugosi: you get them both in 1934's The Black Cat. 

But what's even better... what makes this match-up of two of horror's most iconic performers truly noteworthy... is that, with it's tale of lost love and revenge, The Black Cat ultimately delivers Karloff vs. Lugosi! 

Lugosi is Dr. Vitus Werdegast, a former soldier recently released from a 15 year prison stint (he was captured by the enemy during World War I). 

Karloff is Hjalmar Poelzig, an architect who was not only directly responsible for Werdegast's incarceration, but who also seduced the good doctor's wife and, eventually, his daughter. 

The two square off in Poelzig's spacious, creepy mansion, built on the site of one of the war's bloodiest battles. The story is an engaging one, and provides the two legendary stars with everything they need to make The Black Cat a memorable horror film. 

Lugosi always displayed a flair for the spectacular, and I love watching him perform. In The Black Cat, he's his usual hypnotic self, delivering his lines as if every single one was of the greatest importance (When relating the story of his time in Kurgaal prison, Werdegast says, ever so dramatically, “Many men have died there” (dramatic pause) “Few have returned” (slightly longer dramatic pause) “I have returned”). His theatrical approach to the role extends well beyond the delivery of his lines; in one scene, Lugosi shrinks in horror at the sight of a black cat, falling backwards and covering his face, as if the animal had cut him to his very soul. 

Karloff is more subdued in his performance, yet is - at the same time - much more diabolical than his famous colleague. In fact, I'd categorize Hjalmar Poelzig as evil personified. Along with his penchant for black cats, Poelzig also collects the bodies of deceased women, preserving them and putting them on display in glass cabinets so he can forever admire their beauty. 

 And if that's not enough to chill your blood, Poelzig is also the high priest of a devil-worshiping cult! 

Whereas Lugosi is the more flamboyant of the two, it's Karloff who brings the true terror of this story to the surface. 

There are other characters that pop up from time to time throughout The Black Cat, including a pair of newlyweds (played by David Manners and Jacqueline Wells) who are along for the ride. But they remain neatly in the background. The Black Cat belongs to two legends, and it's perfectly twisting story provides both with ample opportunities to shine.