The Mummy's Ghost was Lon Chaney Jr.'s second outing as the frightful yet poignant Prince Kharis. This creepy, 1944 chapter is now memorialized by scholars Nige Burton, Jamie Jones & John (Penny Dreadful) Logan in a 36-page, Classic Monsters of the Movies tribute.
Directed by horror/adventure veteran Reginald (Weird Woman/Calling Dr. Death) LeBorg and written by Griffin (The Mummy's Tomb) Jay (with assistance from the latter's Henry Sucher, in addition to Brenda Weisberg), The Mummy's Ghost is set in Mapleton, Massachusetts, thirty years after the previous chapter's events. Kharis resurfaces through mystical, tana-leaf meddling, conducted by George Zucco's high priest and John Carradine's avid protege, who lead him to the reincarnated Princess Ananka, portrayed by Ramsay (G-Men Never Forget/Calling Dr. Death) Ames.
Additional cast members are highlighted in the volume, including the reprising Frank (King Kong/Son of Kong/Superman and the Mole Men) Reicher (who, according to legend, Chaney almost choked to death on camera); Robert (Revenge of the Zombies) Lowery (who'd soon star as the Caped Crusader in Batman and Robin); David (The Mad Ghoul/Calling Dr. Death) Bruce, Martha (Captive Wild Women/Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman/The Big Sleep) Vickers, Barton (The Walking Dead/Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde 1941) MacLane; Oscar (Of Mice and Men/Captains Courageous) O'Shea, Harry (Citizen Kane/Touch of Evil) Shannon and Peanuts, the tale's brave Scotty. An overview of director LeBorg distinguishes the edition, with portions devoted to producer Ben Pivar, monster maestro Jack Pierce, photographer William A. Sickner, composer Frank Skinner and stock-music contributors Hans Salter and Charles Previn.
The authors discuss the movie's pros and cons, romantic pathos, behind-the-scenes mishaps and unconventional, Lost Horizon-inspired ending. These essential portions are bridged by rare photos and colorful, publicity materials, plus quotes and trivia, all printed on high-stock paper.
Burton, Jones & Logan's analysis is exemplary and demands an encore. Here's hoping that Classic Monsters of the Movies publishes a deluxe edition on that big, Kharis finale, The Mummy's Curse, but for now, The Mummy's Ghost beckons at
https://www.classic-monsters.com/shop/product/the-mummys-ghost-1944-ultimate-guide-signed-art-print/
No comments:
Post a Comment