Directed by Stuart
Walker, written by Leopold Atlas, John L. Balderston, Bradley King and Gladys
Unger, based on the unfinished novel by Charles Dickens
Starring Claude Rains,
David Manners, Heather Angel and Valerie Hobson
1935
Like many “horror” films
in Universal’s canonical list, THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD is primarily in
another genre – mystery/drama. Still, it has enough trappings to satisfy
Universal horror fans, including a central villainous performance from Claude
Rains, a plot surrounding murder and a heavy dose of gloomy Victorian
atmosphere replete with foggy cemeteries and foreboding cathedrals.
The titular character is
a young man who goes missing – his supposed rival in a sort-of love triangle is
suspected of the murder, but we know his guardian (Rains) also lusts after the
object of the suspect’s affection. Universal stalwarts David Manners (Dracula)
and Valerie Hobson (The Bride of Frankenstein) are also on hand to round out
the cast. Dickens died before he could finish this story, but Universal does so
for him, quite satisfactorily, I think.
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