Cabman John Gray (Boris Karloff) picks up where Burke and Hare left off, snatching bodies for Dr. Wolfe 'Toddy' MacFarlane (Henry Daniell), one-time assistant to the notorious Dr. Knox. Medical student Donald Fettes (Russell Wade) becomes MacFarlane's new assistant, meaning that he has to deal with Gray, paying him for his 'deliveries', some of whom Fettes suspects came to an unnatural end.
The Body Snatcher sees horror icon Karloff at his most frightening, Gray not just a grave robber, but a cold-blooded murderer whose cruelty knows no bounds. When he's not desecrating graves and bumping off the innocent (including legendary loyal dog Greyfriar's Bobby and a sweet street singer), he delights in tormenting MacFarlane, who has become trapped by his own desire to learn about the human body whatever the cost.
Eventually, MacFarlane decides that he can no longer allow himself to be controlled by Gray and sets out to rid himself of the man forever. But even after death, Gray still has a hold over the doctor...
Written by Val Lewton and directed by Robert Wise, this chiller might be low-budget, but still manages to be a stylish and atmospheric affair thanks to great cinematography and a wonderful central performance from Karloff, who simply exudes menace. Daniell also puts in a fine turn as the doctor who must turn to murder himself to rid himself of the 'cancer rotting his mind' (albeit unsuccessfully). Also on hand is none other than Bela Lugosi, playing manservant Joseph, who stupidly tries to blackmail Gray; his role is secondary, but it's always great to see him on screen, especially with Karloff.
Standout scenes include the death of the street singer, whose angelic voice is ominously cut off when she enters the gloom of a foggy Edinburgh street, the struggle to the death between Gray and MacFarlane, and the exciting finalé, as MacFarlane is haunted by visions of the dead grave robber while he is driving a carriage at top-speed through a stormy night.
7.5/10, rounded up to 8 for IMDb.
The Body Snatcher sees horror icon Karloff at his most frightening, Gray not just a grave robber, but a cold-blooded murderer whose cruelty knows no bounds. When he's not desecrating graves and bumping off the innocent (including legendary loyal dog Greyfriar's Bobby and a sweet street singer), he delights in tormenting MacFarlane, who has become trapped by his own desire to learn about the human body whatever the cost.
Eventually, MacFarlane decides that he can no longer allow himself to be controlled by Gray and sets out to rid himself of the man forever. But even after death, Gray still has a hold over the doctor...
Written by Val Lewton and directed by Robert Wise, this chiller might be low-budget, but still manages to be a stylish and atmospheric affair thanks to great cinematography and a wonderful central performance from Karloff, who simply exudes menace. Daniell also puts in a fine turn as the doctor who must turn to murder himself to rid himself of the 'cancer rotting his mind' (albeit unsuccessfully). Also on hand is none other than Bela Lugosi, playing manservant Joseph, who stupidly tries to blackmail Gray; his role is secondary, but it's always great to see him on screen, especially with Karloff.
Standout scenes include the death of the street singer, whose angelic voice is ominously cut off when she enters the gloom of a foggy Edinburgh street, the struggle to the death between Gray and MacFarlane, and the exciting finalé, as MacFarlane is haunted by visions of the dead grave robber while he is driving a carriage at top-speed through a stormy night.
7.5/10, rounded up to 8 for IMDb.