The Monster

The Monster

16/3/1925 1h 35m 5.7/10

Overview

A general store clerk and aspiring detective investigates a mysterious disappearance that took place quite close to an empty insane asylum.

Director

Roland West

Top Billed Cast

Lon Chaney

Lon Chaney

Dr. Ziska

Johnny Arthur

Johnny Arthur

Johnny Goodlittle

Gertrude Olmstead

Gertrude Olmstead

Betty Watson

Walter James

Caliban

Charles Sellon

Charles Sellon

Russ Mason

Hallam Cooley

Hallam Cooley

Amos Rugg

Reviews

CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

12/8/2023

6/10

The problem with this is that it just takes forever to get past the introduction of the rather insipid characters and become interesting. "Johnny" (Johnny Arthur) is the wimpish store-man who shares a shine on the boss's daughter "Betty" (Gertrude Olmstead) with the slightly more sophisticated "Amos" (Hallam Cooley). Now "Johnny" has just finished qualifying as a private investigator and decides that a local missing person might be a suitable place to start his sleuthing career. The action, such as it is, all centres around a disused sanatarium and when his gal and his rival get stuck there requiring rescue, all three (eventually) meet "Dr. Ziska" (Lon Chaney) and it's soon pretty clear that he is up to no-good. It's a slow burn this, and Chaney isn't anywhere near his best - but to be fair, this isn't the chunkiest part for him (or us) to get immersed in. There are some fun, almost slapstick, moments and electricity plays quite a significant role as our threesome try to escape the clutches of their menacing host. Loads of rain, a tightrope walk and a rather decrepit motor cycle cop also try their best to liven it up and at times Roland West hits the spot. Just not quickly or often enough to make this film much to write home about.

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