The Creeper (1948)

A lot of fun.

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

The movie really just wants to entertain people.

Don't expect to see cat people or people turning to a cat then killing others because it's not really like that. This one tries to be more of a sci-fi film noir rather than a sci-fi horror.The idea behind the film is good, there are some alright scenes but not what one would expect from a "horror" film like this. It does get suspenseful at times however. And the ending was a huge let down, not at all what audiences that would watch this type of film would care to see.Onslow Stevens made this film better than what it really is with his presence. He is fun to watch in horror films usually.Overall it's a let down film that has a few good moments within it.3.5/10

Throughout much of this film, I was very impressed by the atmosphere created by the director and his crew. Through the use of music, lighting and acting, they really had a tense and nice looking film-- and it kept my interest. However, when the film ended, I was left frustrated because all this suspense led up to absolutely nothing that would satisfying the audience...NOTHING!The film is set around a lab in which a team of workers are trying to come up with some serum to make human organs bioluminous. Why? I have no idea. In the midst of this, the lead researcher's daughter, Nora, is a hysterical mess who screams every time she sees cats. And, when folks start dying you expect that somehow some cat or that particular cat is behind it. Well, this is NOT the case and the ending is just plain stupid--a bit waste of a lot of talent, though Nora was an awfully written and acted character. Too bad that a couple problems completely ruin an otherwise good B horror film.

The face of the cat takes a demonic turn in this spooky supernatural thriller which takes a different turn than Val Lewton's two "Cat People" movies from earlier in the 1940's. Troubled doctor's daughter Janis Wilson is plagued with nightmares involving black cats, and has been found walking in her sleep by her father (Ralph Morgan). The use of dreams and fantasy sequences makes this quite memorable and creates quite a mystery. At times, you don't know if Vincent is actually wide awake or dreaming, and the use of this makes the psychological terror very effective, even when the sequences become a little faded, blurry or dizzying. Eduardo Cianelli makes an enjoyable villain with veteran Morgan adding to the suspense as a concerned father who seems to know more than he should about the truth of what's going on. Moody and poignant, this has been overshadowed by the films produced by Val Lewton which it emulates. Perhaps a re-discovery of some of these lost classics would give classic horror movie buffs a new appreciation of the more obscure of which this is one of many.

The Creeper is a 1948 "B" film produced by Bernard Small's Reliance Pictures. Its an entertaining little chiller clocking in at a brisk 64 minutes, with a cast of generally familiar faces such as Onslow Stevens, Ralph Morgan, Eduardo Ciannelli, and June Vincent.Romantic lead John Baragrey would go on to have a successful career as a character actor in television. The female lead was eighteen year old Janis Wilson, who as a juvenile actress had featured roles in Now Voyager, Watch on the Rhine, and the Strange Love of Martha Ivers, among other films and seemed to be building a solid acting resume for herself. The Creeper would be her last film role,however, and she would retire from the screen to take up marriage and teaching music. Director Jean Yarbrough had a reputation for dependability and getting a film out on time and under budget. Ben Pivar was the executive producer. He was in charge of Universal Studios Horror Unit during the war on could do this kind of film in his sleep. The horror cycle had slowed down considerably since the end of the war but there was still a market for Saturday matinée scary pictures at the local neighborhood Bijou and the Creeper was made to fill that market. It helped sell a bunch of popcorn The story concerns a monster who preys on a group of scientists and researchers whom themselves are trying to develop a mysterious serum that is derived from the body fluids of cats. One of the researchers tries to put a halt to the project for ethical concerns and is brutally murdered. After that other researchers are being killed by what evidence suggests is a huge cat like creature. The daughter of one of the murdered scientists acted as secretary to the project and holds the notes that are needed to continue the project but will not give them up. A young scientist from a next door lab has fallen for her and he is aware of the events taking place. He tries to aide and protect her at the risk of his own life. At the climax of the film the identity of the murderous monster is revealed and it is destroyed. Of course the young couple appear to move on to become the Cleaver family. The Creeper was filmed by Edward Coleman. Coleman and Yarbrough used The "Cat People approach to shooting the Creeper with shadows and dim lighting to cover the cheap sets and minimal special effects This technique works and gives the film a dark and brooding atmosphere. That veteran actors know the rote and do what they can with a weak script and sometimes confusing plot line. What does not work is Janis Wilson's performance. She is , quite frankly, terrible. Without Bette Davis or Barbara Stanwyck around to coach her she chews the scenery and emotes like a high school Juliet. If the Creeper had been a longer picture she would have shot the whole thing down. It's no wonder she decided to get out of the business.As I said, The Creeper is entertaining and won't cause emotional damage to the more sensitive members of your viewing audience, however, if your are in The Ginger Snaps or Dog Solders school of were-animal appreciation, The Creeper isn't gonna do it for you. Saying that . however, for the average old horror flick fan there are a lot worse ways to spend an hour.