Mystery of the Wax Museum (1933)

Top comments

1. 

   ClassicLady

   Glenda Farrell gives a stellar performance as a wise-cracking, pushy dame reporter who doesn't get pushed around by the men. One of her first lines is, "How's your sex life?" Without her, this movie would only be so-so. But with Ms Farrell, it's a definite keeper! 11 years 6 months ago
2. 

   neocowboy

   Can't beat the original, especially if you like head strong, fast talking, straight shooting career dames. 11 years 9 months ago
3. 

   Siskoid

   Michael Curtiz's 1933 effort, Mystery of the Wax Museum, has an intriguing two-toned look where everything is green or peach, an early color process that wasn't ultimately pursued, but it looks great on a movie that's on the verge of expressionism, with sets half-way between Universal Horror and Gotham City, and a bizarre and lurid storyline. Remade as Wax Museum and later, House of Wax, the original tale is more pulp mystery than it is horror, but that's a question of what it focuses on. Yes, we have Fay Wray screaming her head off in the last reel, but the movie really belongs to a fast-talkin', give-no-quarter, banter-to-the-death journalist played by Glenda Farrell. The wisecracks fly in her every interaction, making for a surprisingly funny movie about a disfigured grave robber who casts his victims in wax. And the mystery isn't as obvious as you might think either, with false leads, several suspects, etc., but that's what prevents it from being a pure horror film. In horror, we'd be following the monster or the monster's victims; in a mystery, we're really looking at the detective. If the chills are few, it's worth watching for the look and the dialog. Also, if you're making a list of New Year's-themed movies. 5 years 6 months ago

See all comments

Friends

Login to see which of your friends have seen this movie!