Rating: 
Summary: " He went for a little walk. You should've seen his face! "
Review: The traditional image of 'mummy' films is of a heavily bandaged man, arms outstretched, walking slowly towards his victims (and still managing to catch them). Not in this movie! Universal's 1932 chiller is way above any other mummy film you have seen - including the quartet of 'Kharis' films of the 1940s. Right from the opening titles we are presented with a stylish, well acted, beautifully photographed masterpiece of a horror film. Amazingly, given the film's title, Boris Karloff only appears in bandages for a brief period at the beginning of the movie, and even then only from the waist up. But such is the quality of the writing and the expert direction of Karl Freund, the story remains riveting throughout. Zita Johann also deserves special mention for her portrayal of Helen Grosvenor, she is a real asset to the film. As for the DVD, picture quality is exceptionally crisp and clean. I doubt if a significantly better print will ever surface. In keeping with the other Universal Classic Monster Collection DVDs the disc contains a trailer, cast & crew bios, production notes, photographs and a well put together documentary. The only slight let down is Paul M Jensen's commentary. Though informative, it is not as conversational or easy going as some of the other Universal DVDs. But this is just a minor quibble of an otherwise outstanding DVD. This is definitely one for your Shopping Cart!
Rating:
Summary: "Come out under the stars of Egypt."
Review: The first mummy flick is unique among classic horror movies. The Egyptian tale has the dark and moody look of Teutonic art. True to his cinematographer background, director Karl Freund emphasizes presentation over shock value. Instead of nail-biting suspense, terror slowly develops. Unlike subsequent mummies who shuffled around covered in moldy Ace bandages, Im-ho-tep (Boris Karloff) only briefly appears in this attire. After his terrifying resurrection scene, Karloff sheds the bandages, and poses as Ardath Bey, an expert in ancient Egypt. His skin is parchment dry, and his eyes glow with supernatural intensity. He is evil incarnate. Executed 3700 years ago for vile sacrilege, he rises from the dead after the desecration of the sacred ruins. Im-ho-tep seeks to contact the spirit of his forbidden love, Princess Akes-se-namun (sp.?). He finds a woman (Zita Talbot) in modern day Egypt, and believes she is the reincarnated princess. Im-ho-tep has mesmerizing power. He bends the Nubian servant (the stony faced Noble Johnson) into a willing slave. The ancient blood prevails. Im-ho-tep beckons and the princess can only submit. Edward Van Sloan plays the academic type that understands Im-ho-tep's motives and methods. Those who profaned the sacred tomb meet a grim end. Together, Karloff and Freund make this film a classic. The comic-book level Mummy action adventure flicks of recent vintage suffer in comparison to the genuine article. ;-)
Rating: 
Summary: Totally overated
Review: I like those classic old horror movies, like Frankenstien, the wolfman, the invisble man,etc.But this movie( like Dracula 1931)
was absolutley boring. It had a good first scene in the start of the movie, when Karloff's mummy first comes to life, but after that he becomes a regular man and than the movie becomes a romance melodarma, not a horror movie. Their is no real suspense.
I realize that compared to horror movies today, some the older movies might seem tame, but movies like frankenstien , the wofman and their seguels haves their moments, but this one does not even about a mummy as we know it. Any body expecting to see a traditional monster will be disapointed. If I want to see a drama I will watch citizen cane.
Finally, I like Karloff, he did some great horror B movies, this was not one of them.
Rating:
Summary: First and foremost!
Review: Vintage it may be, with performances that at best are highly competent, at worst downright creaky. But make allowances for the fact that it's over 70 years old, and you'll have simply the best horror film EVER. What could prove more horrifying than when Imhotep's mummy, propped in its coffin, catches the light which glints off its eye, slowly opening after 3,500 years in the grave? Or Imhotep's first appearance, as Ardath Bey, to the archaeologists, filling the doorway with subtle malevolence? Or his final moments when, struck down by ancient goddess and protector of women, Isis, he collapses rattlingly into a pile of bones? Boris Karloff is riveting in every frame as the mummy redivivus and actress Zita Johann is radiant as the tormented reincarnation of Princess Ankh-es-en-amon, putting modern day actresses to shame with her blend of exotic beauty, sensuality and dignity. It's the granddaddy of all 'mummy' genre pictures, and quite simply the best!
Rating:
Summary: "I shall awaken memories of love and crime and death ..."
Review: With these words, the viewer is once again seduced by Boris Karloff's amazing ability to bring to life, so to speak, characters that have been long dead. By 1932, when "The Mummy" was released, Universal was the leading Hollywood horror studio. "The Mummy" was ... ahem ... one more nail in a very successful sarcophagus, providing Universal with more acclaim and Karloff with another notch in his already-outstanding cinematic resume.Now released on DVD as part of the Universal Classic Monster Collection series, "The Mummy" reflects the rampant interest in America at the time in all things Egyptian, brought about mainly by the discovery of King Tut's tomb by Howard Carter some 10 years prior. The supposed curse that was to have been visited upon anyone who disturbed the boy king was even worked into the script of "The Mummy" which was, originally, not an Egyptian movie at all but which was based on an historical Italian alchemist/hypnotist who claimed to have lived for centuries. In the film, the mummy, Im-Ho-Tep (pronounced "M-Ho-Tep") is accidentally revived after 3,700 years by a team of British archaeologists. He was once a priest, buried alive for attempting to revive the vestial virgin whom he loved following her sacrifice. Alive once more, and now calling himself Ardath Bey, he is looking for his lost love ... and of course, he'll need a living stand-in ... The "making-of" documentary included in "The Mummy", entitled "Mummy Dearest: A Horror Tradition Unearthed", is, like all the other documentaries in this series, a delight. One special feature of this particular documentary details the process used by make-up king Jack Pierce to turn Karloff - who in life was quite a handsome man - into a dried-out corpse. When one considers - both in the Frankenstein films and "The Mummy" - the physical rigors which Karloff endured to bring his gallery of monsters to life, this dedication to craft alone is truly amazing. From enduring layers of make-up often combined with foul-smelling chemicals, to wearing padded clothing weighing 30 pounds or more, to being wrapped in bandages and accidentally not given a fly through which the actor could relieve himself throughout the day, "Karloff The Uncanny" endured all and, as a result, gave us performances unmatched by any actor living today. The double performance of Zita Johann as both the Egyptian princess and her modern-day character is nuanced and blends perfectly with Karloff's measured emotion, which evokes a romantic aura in his character that makes him seem more sympathetic than evil. Feature Commentary by film historian Paul Jensen provides a treasure chest of trivia for horror film buffs and Karloff devotees, as do the original trailers and cast and filmmaker's biographies included in the DVD's extra goodies. Get lost in the world of "The Mummy" and you'll never want to leave.
Rating: 
Summary: The Original Universal Horror Film, Still Packs a Punch
Review: My favorite film of all time is the 1999 version of "The Mummy," and sinse long before that came out, I've known of Boris Karloff's 1932 creature feature. But, I always figured it was another one of those bandage wrapped, slow moving - and frankly very stupid "mummy" movies. So I stayed away. Then, I saw the new version on the first day of release (May 7th) and rushed out of the theater knowing I must see the old version. Instead of renting it, I just bought it - and it was superb! The basic story elements are the same in both versions, but instead of the lavish desert settings, huge sets and breathtaking visual effects of the Stephen Sommers version, director Karl Fruend's 30's film relies on mood and atmousphere to chill you to the bone - which it does very well. Boris Karloff plays Imhotep, whom in his native Egypt (3,700 years ago) was buried alive for trying to raise his love Anck-Su-Namun (Zita Johann) from the dead. Flash forward to 1932 were a british team of archeologists dig up his remains and accidentaly revive him. Cleaning himself up, Imhotep prowls around modern Cairo under the alias Ardath Bey, trying to find the reincarnated soul of his past lover. He does so in Helen Grovesenor (also Johann), but his plans might be in trouble as Helen's gurdian Muller (Edward Van Sloan) and her boyfriend Frank Whemple (David Manners, both from Universal's earlier horror film "Dracula") will stop at nothing to save her. As for power, Boris Karloff is a far cry from Arnold Vosloo's running, fighting Imhotep in the '99 version - but is pretty good with some supernatural Darth Vader like telepethy. This is surley one of the most romantic horror films, as one in some way or another feels sorry for Imhotep, as he looks longingly into the eyes of his mummified girlfriend, but the film does manage to generate a few good scares, because Imhotep is no softey, when you look in HIS eyes you'll see death and destruction. And so while the 1999 "Mummy" is my favorite film, the 1932 version proves that in Hollywood's golden age, filmmaker's really knew what they were doing.
Rating:
Summary: the ONLY mummy movie
Review: and we only see the tradititonal 'mummy' image for about 2 minutes.
freund knew that image was a dull one (how like hollywood accountants to home in on the most boring part of a movie and run it to death). this movie is psycholgical, brooding and perverse.
the sexual undertones permeate throughout the film and all here are in top form. a fine example of classic hollywood horror at it's near best.
Rating:
Summary: "I shall awaken memories of love and crime and death ..."
Review: With these words, the viewer is once again seduced by Boris Karloff's amazing ability to bring to life, so to speak, characters that have been long dead. By 1932, when "The Mummy" was released, Universal was the leading Hollywood horror studio. "The Mummy" was ... ahem ... one more nail in a very successful sarcophagus, providing Universal with more acclaim and Karloff with another notch in his already-outstanding cinematic resume. Now released on DVD as part of the Universal Classic Monster Collection series, "The Mummy" reflects the rampant interest in America at the time in all things Egyptian, brought about mainly by the discovery of King Tut's tomb by Howard Carter some 10 years prior. The supposed curse that was to have been visited upon anyone who disturbed the boy king was even worked into the script of "The Mummy" which was, originally, not an Egyptian movie at all but which was based on an historical Italian alchemist/hypnotist who claimed to have lived for centuries. In the film, the mummy, Im-Ho-Tep (pronounced "M-Ho-Tep") is accidentally revived after 3,700 years by a team of British archaeologists. He was once a priest, buried alive for attempting to revive the vestial virgin whom he loved following her sacrifice. Alive once more, and now calling himself Ardath Bey, he is looking for his lost love ... and of course, he'll need a living stand-in ... The "making-of" documentary included in "The Mummy", entitled "Mummy Dearest: A Horror Tradition Unearthed", is, like all the other documentaries in this series, a delight. One special feature of this particular documentary details the process used by make-up king Jack Pierce to turn Karloff - who in life was quite a handsome man - into a dried-out corpse. When one considers - both in the Frankenstein films and "The Mummy" - the physical rigors which Karloff endured to bring his gallery of monsters to life, this dedication to craft alone is truly amazing. From enduring layers of make-up often combined with foul-smelling chemicals, to wearing padded clothing weighing 30 pounds or more, to being wrapped in bandages and accidentally not given a fly through which the actor could relieve himself throughout the day, "Karloff The Uncanny" endured all and, as a result, gave us performances unmatched by any actor living today. The double performance of Zita Johann as both the Egyptian princess and her modern-day character is nuanced and blends perfectly with Karloff's measured emotion, which evokes a romantic aura in his character that makes him seem more sympathetic than evil. Feature Commentary by film historian Paul Jensen provides a treasure chest of trivia for horror film buffs and Karloff devotees, as do the original trailers and cast and filmmaker's biographies included in the DVD's extra goodies. Get lost in the world of "The Mummy" and you'll never want to leave.
Rating:
Summary: The Original Universal Horror Film, Still Packs a Punch
Review: My favorite film of all time is the 1999 version of "The Mummy," and sinse long before that came out, I've known of Boris Karloff's 1932 creature feature. But, I always figured it was another one of those bandage wrapped, slow moving - and frankly very stupid "mummy" movies. So I stayed away. Then, I saw the new version on the first day of release (May 7th) and rushed out of the theater knowing I must see the old version. Instead of renting it, I just bought it - and it was superb! The basic story elements are the same in both versions, but instead of the lavish desert settings, huge sets and breathtaking visual effects of the Stephen Sommers version, director Karl Fruend's 30's film relies on mood and atmousphere to chill you to the bone - which it does very well. Boris Karloff plays Imhotep, whom in his native Egypt (3,700 years ago) was buried alive for trying to raise his love Anck-Su-Namun (Zita Johann) from the dead. Flash forward to 1932 were a british team of archeologists dig up his remains and accidentaly revive him. Cleaning himself up, Imhotep prowls around modern Cairo under the alias Ardath Bey, trying to find the reincarnated soul of his past lover. He does so in Helen Grovesenor (also Johann), but his plans might be in trouble as Helen's gurdian Muller (Edward Van Sloan) and her boyfriend Frank Whemple (David Manners, both from Universal's earlier horror film "Dracula") will stop at nothing to save her. As for power, Boris Karloff is a far cry from Arnold Vosloo's running, fighting Imhotep in the '99 version - but is pretty good with some supernatural Darth Vader like telepethy. This is surley one of the most romantic horror films, as one in some way or another feels sorry for Imhotep, as he looks longingly into the eyes of his mummified girlfriend, but the film does manage to generate a few good scares, because Imhotep is no softey, when you look in HIS eyes you'll see death and destruction. And so while the 1999 "Mummy" is my favorite film, the 1932 version proves that in Hollywood's golden age, filmmaker's really knew what they were doing.
Rating:
Summary: You'll really get wrapped up in this one!
Review: The Mummy: No tongue, can't talk, but watch out for his hand! Yes, hand, cause he's only got one! And one is all he needs to provoke the women into the arms of their male companions. Sweet! My, but he is a "handsome" specimen. Seriously, this 70 year old movie still comes off as fresh as the day it was born. And this fella's perty darn fresh himself! Ladies, men, doesn't matter, he's not picky. A real creeper. He's a slow mover, but get him now before he gets away! AAAAA+
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