Plantiana Yawn. Poorly Filmed Snooze Fest.

Develiker terrible... so disappointed.

SpunkySelfTwitter It’s an especially fun movie from a director and cast who are clearly having a good time allowing themselves to let loose.

Haven Kaycee It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film

DylanW "The Black Cat" was suggested by the Edgar Allan Poe classic, going by the same name. The word 'suggested' is used very loosely, with very, very little relating to the story; the only connection being the appearance of a black cat. The story is overall quite compelling, although it may seem a bit dry and slow in the beginning stages. The characters are well developed and you learn of their ambitions and aspirations in the hour-long film. You understand Bela Lugosi's character (Dr. Vitus Werdegast) and his nature. He is an interesting character who can seem both selfish and generous simultaneously. In fact, all of the performances are quite good and seem natural within the film. The only disappointing factor would be whether you were hoping for an accurate adaptation and some of the filming. Some of the shots I found somewhat annoying, but was overall good filming. The cat itself felt forced, and would've been better to title the film differently and forget about the 'suggested' factor.

alexanderdavies-99382 "The Black Cat" from 1934, is the best of the Karloff/Lugosi collaborations. Never again in their future films together would both actors have equal screen time and be equally relevant to a films plot. This makes for rather grim viewing (apart from a brief comic interlude) but the way in which this film is cast, directed, written and photographed makes for a gripping and fairly original horror film. The plot owes very little to the short story from Edgar Allan Poe but that slight reference is of no importance.For once, Bela Lugosi is cast against type as he is a more sympathetic character - even though he is still a bit unhinged!Boris Karloff is pure evil as the leader of his own group of Satanic followers. He is also the one responsible for betraying a number of his fellow countrymen during the first world war - Lugosi included.It is the performances of Karloff and Lugosi that stand out - they compliment each other very well.The American film censors weren't happy with the final version of "The Black Cat" and as a result, they instructed "Universal" to shoot additional footage in the hope of making the film more fit for public exhibition. During the extra filming, the director Edgar Ulmer managed to sneak in a scene that went by the American film censors without realising what a controversial scene it was!One of the best horror films from "Universal's" first horror cycle.

SnoopyStyle Honeymooners Joan and Peter Allison share their train compartment to Hungary with Dr. Vitus Verdegast (Bela Lugosi). Vitus has been away for 15 years at war and as a prisoner. They take a bus to the hotel. Joan is injured when the bus crashes. The group carries her to the mansion of Vitus' comrade Hjalmar Poelzig (Boris Karloff). The two old friends have a dark history with the war, and Vitus' wife Karen and child.This first pairing of Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff shows some possibilities. There is a constant playing of classical music which doesn't always infuse the movie with horror. It's the same for most of the film. The atmospherics aren't that creepy until all hell breaks loose. There are some interesting moves and the two horror icons make it compelling enough to keep watching.

simeon_flake The first pairing of horror legends Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff & frequently throughout these pairings, it was Karloff getting top billing over Lugosi. And I think there has been some debate raging for many years between classic horror fans on whether this film or "The Raven" is the superior movie.Maybe depending on one's own personal tastes--as to whether you prefer Karloff or Lugosi--may decide which film you think is better. Personally speaking, I think in most cases I would say I'm more of a Bela fan than Boris, which is why I would vote for "The Raven" being the better movie- -although here in "The Black Cat", the 2 horror legends are on equal footing in this macabre tale suggested by Edgar Allan Poe.The movie centers around Dr. Vitus Werdegast's (Bela) motivation to kind Hjalmar Poelzing (Karloff) and avenge the wrongs Karloff has done to him--namely, leaving him for dead during the Great War and marrying his wife and adopting his daughter. Of course, Karloff's Dr. Poelzing may have murdered Werdegast's wife, just as he would eventually murder his daughter, Karen.To say that the Poelzing character is a weirdo would be an understatement. A practicing Satanist, he intends to use the requisite love interests of this movie as a sacrifice in some Satanic ritual."The Black Cat" is a much more methodical film than the followup, "The Raven"--whether that's good or bad may depend once again on one's personal tastes. The film seems to simmer along at a slow pace to start then picks up steams in the last 2 thirds of the film I would say. While not as in your face or as gloriously over the top as "The Raven", "The Black Cat" may work better as a more cerebral thriller.8 stars