If the 1932 version of "The Mummy" isn't quite the masterpiece of horror some people claim it to be, (the 1959 Hammer remake is actually more frightening), this has beauties of its own and for the most part they lie in Karloff's superb performance as the resurrected Mummy of the title. It also helps that it was directed by the great cinematographer Karl Freund who gives the film 'a look' that makes up for the clunky dialogue and poor supporting performances, (Zita Johann and David Manners, anyone?). It also wastes no time with exposition; we are in there right from the start and, if truth be told, Karloff, first seen in bandages that barely contain his rotting flesh, is even more chilling here than he was in "Frankenstein", (the scene where he comes back to life is a classic). No masterpiece, then, but a guilty pleasure that has endured down the years.
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