Black Cat, The (1934)

Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff square off in this minor Universal classic. I say minor because it is a one-off of Universal's iconic monsters films, but the film is really quite excellent. Directed and written by Edgar G Ulmer, the film revolves around newlyweds who get caught in a diabolical game between Bela and Boris on their honeymoon through Europe. For 1934, this film is quite suggestive and violent with torture and undertones of incest trickled in. With great lighting, a fantastic set, atmosphere galore, and a twisted plot "suggested by Edgar Allan Poe," The Black Cat is really a fun little horror film. It's a shame that it is not more readily available on home video.

8/10

Son of Frankenstein (1939)

Basil Rathbone gives a horribly over-the-top performance as Wolf Von Frankenstein, the son and heir to the Frankenstein from the first two films. Why he decided to play this part so enthusiastically baffles me. He became very grating. Boris Karloff gives a quiet but altogether unnoteworthy performance as the monster. His movements were a little shorter, a little jerkier than in the first two films. The piece de resistance, though, is Bela Lugosi's wonderful performance as Ygor. If anything, Lugosi's performance as Ygor is the only reason needed to watch this.

6/10