Horrorfest 2018: The Black Castle

1952's THE BLACK CASTLE, directed by Nathan H. Juran, is an interesting entry in Universal's horror catalog because it's a classic-style gothic horror film that came out in an era primarily known for more sci-fi-leaning horror flicks. It's either one of the earliest examples of the kind of throwbacks that became popular at studios and production companies like Hammer and American International, or it represents a last gasp at Universal trying to use their old formula.

In any case, it relegates both of its big names, Boris Karloff and Lon Chaney, Jr., to supporting roles as Richard Greene takes center stage as a British gentleman who suspects Stephen McNally, an Austrian count, of the murder of two of his friends. He travels to the Count's castle (the Black Castle of the title) under a pseudonym and searches for evidence against the Count, while the Count sets up an elaborate trap to murder Greene himself.

Where do Karloff and Chaney come in? Well, Karloff's the creepy house doctor and Chaney's the creepy house servant. Neither part is great, but Karloff fares better than Chaney as his role at least has somewhat of a twist and plays a little bit against type. As usual Karloff's performance benefits from being known for horror but actually having a fairly gentle screen presence.

The movie benefits from an interesting opening where our hero (Greene) is on the verge of being buried alive, trapped in a state where he seems dead but is able to think and observe what's going on around him. The story is told from this point of view, and eventually loops back, and it's never easy to guess exactly how he ends up in his predicament, or how he gets out of it.