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ComedyHorrorMystery

The Monster

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A general store clerk and aspiring detective investigates a mysterious disappearance that took place quite close to an empty insane asylum.

Release Date : 1925-03-16

Language :EnglishNo Language

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : Metro-Goldwyn Pictures Corporation

Production Country : United States of America

Alternative Titles :

Cast

Lon Chaney

Character Name : Dr. Ziska

Original Name : Lon Chaney

Gender : Male

Johnny Arthur

Character Name : Johnny Goodlittle

Original Name : Johnny Arthur

Gender : Male

Gertrude Olmstead

Character Name : Betty Watson

Original Name : Gertrude Olmstead

Gender : Female

Hallam Cooley

Character Name : Amos Rugg

Original Name : Hallam Cooley

Gender : Male

Charles Sellon

Character Name : Russ Mason

Original Name : Charles Sellon

Gender : Male

Walter James

Character Name : Caliban

Original Name : Walter James

Gender : Male

Knute Erickson

Character Name : Daffy Dan

Original Name : Knute Erickson

Gender : Male

Frank Austin

Character Name : Rigo

Original Name : Frank Austin

Gender : Male

Edward McWade

Character Name : Luke Watson

Original Name : Edward McWade

Gender : Male

Ethel Wales

Character Name : Mrs. Watson

Original Name : Ethel Wales

Gender : Female

Elmo Billings

Character Name : Freckle Faced Kid (uncredited)

Original Name : Elmo Billings

Gender : Male

Herbert Prior

Character Name : Dr. Edwards (uncredited)

Original Name : Herbert Prior

Gender : Male

William H. Turner

Character Name : Detective Jennings (uncredited)

Original Name : William H. Turner

Gender : Male

Dorothy Vernon

Character Name : Townswoman at Accident Scene (uncredited)

Original Name : Dorothy Vernon

Gender : Female

Reviews

C

CinemaSerf

@Geronimo1967

2023-12-08

The problem with this is that it just takes forever to get past the introduction of the rather insipid characters and become interesting. "Johnny" (Johnny Arthur) is the wimpish store-man who shares a shine on the boss's daughter "Betty" (Gertrude Olmstead) with the slightly more sophisticated "Amos" (Hallam Cooley). Now "Johnny" has just finished qualifying as a private investigator and decides that a local missing person might be a suitable place to start his sleuthing career. The action, such as it is, all centres around a disused sanatarium and when his gal and his rival get stuck there requiring rescue, all three (eventually) meet "Dr. Ziska" (Lon Chaney) and it's soon pretty clear that he is up to no-good. It's a slow burn this, and Chaney isn't anywhere near his best - but to be fair, this isn't the chunkiest part for him (or us) to get immersed in. There are some fun, almost slapstick, moments and electricity plays quite a significant role as our threesome try to escape the clutches of their menacing host. Loads of rain, a tightrope walk and a rather decrepit motor cycle cop also try their best to liven it up and at times Roland West hits the spot. Just not quickly or often enough to make this film much to write home about.