The Human Monster (1940)

hyped garbage

A Major Disappointment

Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

This was one of three films Bela Lugosi came to Britain to make, the others being Mystery Of The Mary Celeste (known in the US as The Phantom Ship) and the dreadful Mother Riley Meets The Vampire (AKA My Son The Vampire). Bela apparently enjoyed making Mary Celeste and Dark Eyes as he was much better paid than usual and treated with respect. This movie finds Lugosi at the top of his game, and it contains a few genuine creeps.Based on a story by Edgar Wallace, the plot concerns a police investigation into bodies turning up in the Thames. Shades of Murders In The Rue Morgue where Bela dumped his used corpses in the Seine! He plays the head of an insurance company cashing in on his customers by bumping 'em off and collecting the dosh! He also has links to an institute for the blind, which he uses as a front for his criminal organisation.The blind, brutish killer Lugosi uses to murder his victims is a little too similar to Karloff's monster in Frankenstein, with a make-up job that is over the top. But he's menacing for all that and there are a few echoes of Karloff in The Old Dark House as well, driven to grief-stricken madness when he realises his boss has drowned his best friend. Not a wise move on Lugosi's part!To summarise this a taut and effective thriller - an early British horror classic - years before Hammer films came along and cornered the market. Don't expect a camp Lugosi flick in the vein of Devil Bat, though. This is put across with sober conviction.

Human Monster/Dark Eyes of London has some fine moments mingled with the tedious and the ridiculous. The cinematography is excellent in places and competent all the time. The characters are capably acted, even the monstrous Jake whose makeup, if you can call it that, is so corny it's embarrassing. The viewer must deal with the fact that the detectives in the film are agonizingly slow to see what any ten-year old could see right from Bela Lugosi's first scene; namely, that he is up to no good and that there is definitely something not quite right about this guy. In fact, one wonders why his victims don't catch on because Bela really hams it up at times. Now don't be angry at me, I'm a great fan of Lugosi, but he overplays his evil moments as Dr Orloff in the early going, tipping the audience much too soon.WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILER!!We are, however, treated to one of Bela's more delicate characterizations in the form of Professor Dearborn. The change in mannerisms is astounding because if you are not very familiar with Bela Lugosi you might not even realize it is he playing the part. I know this is true because it is what happened to my wife. She did not catch that Bela was Dearborn! The illusion is aided greatly by the nearly perfect dubbing of another actor's voice for Dearborn. This was accomplished brilliantly and it is a shame that the voice actor gets no credit. Bela completes the illusion with gentle mannerisms that are both subtle and natural. He is completely believable in the part of Dearborn. He is also convincing as Orloff in the latter part of the film, especially in the climax when it becomes apparent how little value he places on the men he uses. It is at this point that even the ridiculous appearance of Jake is overcome by the acting and the action.Dark Eyes of London suffers from some slow moving moments and poor pacing, but overall it is entertaining and if nothing else is a fine example of what Bela Lugosi was capable of accomplishing given the opportunity.

"The Dark Eyes of London" (aka "The Human Monster) is a creepy little thriller made in England, based on an Edgar Wallace story. For star Bela Lugosi, it was a cut above the many poverty row "thrillers" that he made during this period. The English, even in a low budget film such as this, really know how to make a mystery.Dr. Fedor Orloff (Lugosi) is running an elaborate insurance fraud scheme wherein he collects on the insurance policies of men, who have no relatives. He lends them money and has them sign over their policies as collateral after which he has them murdered. After Henry Stuart (Gerald Pring) signs over his policy in return for a loan, Orloff learns that he has a long lost daughter Diana (Greta Gynt) which causes him some complications.Orloff uses a home for needy blind men as a front for his murders. The home is run by Professor Dearborn (Lugosi again) a kindly white haired old gentleman. When Stuart's body washes up on the Thames, Diana demands that the police take action. Detective Inspector Larry Holt (Hugh Williams) is assigned to the case. He is assisted by American Irish Detective O'Reilly (Edmon Ryan) who is in London to learn the ways of Scotland Yard.Orloff has plans for Diana and as Dearborn, hires her as an assistant. Diana soon learns the evil ways of Orloff but is captured and held. Orloff orders the brutish Jake (Wilfred Walker) to do the evil deed but...................................................Lugosi manages to turn in a pretty good performance in his dual role. I guess the idea was not to be able to recognize him as the kindly old Prof. Dearborn but in spite of having his voice dubbed by O.B. Clarence and giving him white hair and a mustache, you can still spot that tell tale dimple on his chin. Orloff's demise is a thrilling finale and is well done.

In London, the Scotland Yard Detective Inspector Larry Holt (Hugh Williams) is assigned to investigate a serious of deaths apparently in accidents. However, a further inquiry shows that all the victims are men without family and insurance policy released by the insurance agent Dr. Feodor Orloff (Bela Lugosi) and the beneficiary is a home for blind administrated by Prof. John Dearborn (Bela Lugosi). When Henry Stuart is found drowned, his daughter Diana (Greta Gynt) comes to London and helps Holt and his American partner Lieutenant O'Reilly (Edmon Ryan) in their investigation."The Dark Eyes of London" is an interesting B-movie with a good dark story and a great performance of Bela Lugosi. Unfortunately the quality of the VHS released in Brazil impairs the cinematography of the film. My vote is six.Title (Brazil): "O Monstro Humano" ("The Human Monster")