The read
Critics rate it 20 points higher than audiences do. It runs a compact 1h 5m.
Synopsis
After a road accident in Hungary, the American honeymooners Joan and Peter and the enigmatic Dr. Werdegast find refuge in the house of the famed architect Hjalmar Poelzig, who shares a dark past with the doctor.
Ratings
IMDb6.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes89%
Critics rate it 20 points higher than audiences do.
312 audience votes
Key crew
- Edgar G. UlmerDirector
- Peter RuricScreenplay
- Tom KilpatrickScreenplay
Cast
- Boris KarloffHjalmar Poelzig
- Bela LugosiDr. Vitus Werdegast
- David MannersPeter Alison
- Julie BishopJoan Alison
- Egon BrecherThe Majordomo
- Harry CordingThamal
- Lucille LundKaren
- Henry ArmettaThe Sergeant
- Albert ContiThe Lieutenant
- John CarradineCult Organist
- John GeorgeCultist (uncredited)
- Albert PolletWaiter (uncredited)
Stills
Movies like The Black Cat
Themes
chessprisoner of warhungaryblack and whitetrainstormpsychiatristblack catspiral staircasehigh priestnewlywedpre-code