There are times when you read Leonard Maltin's reviews and you legitimately have to wonder if he simply picks an opinion out of a hat and applies it to films at random, without actually having seen the film in question and with no regard for its true level of quality whatsoever. Because unless a director's cut of this picture exists containing another 30 minutes of absolutely brilliant footage, there is no way this crudely filmed, flat, indifferently scripted piece of tedium could possibly rate 3 stars.
Other than an early shocking visual and a fairly brutal "FREAKS" style climax that must've been difficult to pull off without someone getting hurt, there is hardly an indication that this is even a horror film at all. The director chooses a jaunty, innocuous tone and appears far more interested in Charlie Ruggles' lame comedic antics than creating an atmosphere of dread and terror. Its only saving grace is Kathleen Burke, who plays Lionel Atwill's never quite frightened enough wife. Though perhaps not the greatest actress, she is staggeringly beautiful.
I do, however, have good news for the other post who laments that they don't make them like this anymore. Actually, they do. In animated form, no less. Try just about any episode of "SCOOBY DOO".
Other than an early shocking visual and a fairly brutal "FREAKS" style climax that must've been difficult to pull off without someone getting hurt, there is hardly an indication that this is even a horror film at all. The director chooses a jaunty, innocuous tone and appears far more interested in Charlie Ruggles' lame comedic antics than creating an atmosphere of dread and terror. Its only saving grace is Kathleen Burke, who plays Lionel Atwill's never quite frightened enough wife. Though perhaps not the greatest actress, she is staggeringly beautiful.
I do, however, have good news for the other post who laments that they don't make them like this anymore. Actually, they do. In animated form, no less. Try just about any episode of "SCOOBY DOO".