OK, so the opening moments are likely to make a modern audiences grind their teeth a little, as a British journalist spends an inordinate amount of time and energy trying to convince an independent professional woman (in fact, a brilliant surgeon!) to marry him instead of going off to pursue a chance to study with Karloff's character. But it was the 30s and it was Great Britain, so I'll let it slide.
This early "mind switch" movie has a great performance from Karloff (which is no surprise) and also from two of the supporting actors (one playing a wheelchair bound paralytic, the other the lead actress' father and millionaire crusading publisher). This isn't to say that everyone isn't fine in "Man", just that the nature of these three parts means that a) they get all the best lines, and b) they all get to play each other (what with the mind transplants and all).
The director keeps things moving and the scenes stay energetic and snappy, the black and white photography makes the sets look moody and interesting. The screen play distinguishes itself with some interesting twists ,and the plot spirals down into a sort of comedy of errors in the last third of the movie as Karloff decides to get the girl by committing a murder as himself, then switching bodies with his rival and leaving the poor sap to take the blame. (This actually makes perfect sense in the context of the movie).
However, things don't quite work out, and hilarity ensues. Good wins out in the end, because evil can't be bothered to take care of minor details (like ensuring that the victims' bonds are tight) and because that's just how things were done back then.
Lots of fun. Well worth seeking out if you are a fan of Karloff or British horror films in general.
This early "mind switch" movie has a great performance from Karloff (which is no surprise) and also from two of the supporting actors (one playing a wheelchair bound paralytic, the other the lead actress' father and millionaire crusading publisher). This isn't to say that everyone isn't fine in "Man", just that the nature of these three parts means that a) they get all the best lines, and b) they all get to play each other (what with the mind transplants and all).
The director keeps things moving and the scenes stay energetic and snappy, the black and white photography makes the sets look moody and interesting. The screen play distinguishes itself with some interesting twists ,and the plot spirals down into a sort of comedy of errors in the last third of the movie as Karloff decides to get the girl by committing a murder as himself, then switching bodies with his rival and leaving the poor sap to take the blame. (This actually makes perfect sense in the context of the movie).
However, things don't quite work out, and hilarity ensues. Good wins out in the end, because evil can't be bothered to take care of minor details (like ensuring that the victims' bonds are tight) and because that's just how things were done back then.
Lots of fun. Well worth seeking out if you are a fan of Karloff or British horror films in general.