"Well, let's see what's inside!"
In 1921, a group of archaeologists, led by Sir Joeseph Whemple (Byron), uncover the tomb of Egyptian priest Imhotep (Karloff). Buried with Imhotep is a special scroll, which resurrects him when impatient Ralph (Bramwell Fletcher) translates and reads it. When the rest of the team returns, both the mummy and scroll are gone.
Ten years later, Imhotep resurfaces as a modern Egyptian man named Ardath Bey. He goes to the site of the latest archaeological dig, led by Frank Whemple (Manners), whose father led the team that originally discovered Imhotep. Bey offers them a tip: the location of the tomb of Pharoah's daughter Ankh-es-en-amon. Imhoteph's love for Ankh-es-en-amon was the reason for his death by mummification. He wants to resurrect her soul into the body of a modern Egyptian woman, Helen (Johann). But Helen is in love with Frank. Can the Whemple men, with the help of ancient Egyptian scholar Dr. Muller (Van Sloan), save Helen?
In my quest to watch all of the original versions of classic monster movies, I sat down with this film... having already seen the 1999 remake series starring Brendan Fraser. And sadly, I have to admit, I prefer the remake (that never happens). While Boris Karloff is amazing, the film is not as strong (or holds up as well) as other monster movies.
Edward Van Sloan is the VMP of classic (1930s) horror movies: appearing (as essentially the same character) in Frankenstein, Dracula, and The Mummy. Once again, Van Sloan is the voice of reason / the expert in the strange situation.
It's o.k., but I prefer Frankenstein (or Dracula).
The Mummy (1932) 73 minutes
Director: Karl Freund
Starring: Boris Karloff as Imhotep / Ardath Bey
Zita Johann as Helen
David Manners as Frank Whemple
Arthur Byron as Sir Joseph Whemple
Edward Van Sloan as Dr. Muller
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