The Black Cat is the first teaming of Karloff and Lugosi. It was the first of their ten movies together. They were at the time of this movie, big stars for the studio. Lugosi plays Dr. Vitus Werdegast. He is a man with an obsession. He desires nothing more than vengeance against Hjalmar Poelzig, (Karloff). Poelzig abandoned Werdegast on the battlefield. He was taken prisoner, and recently regained his freedom. Poelzig also took Verdegast’s wife and murdered her, later marrying the doctor’s daughter, Karen.
There is a couple going on their honeymoon, on the same train as Dr. Werdegast. They are Peter and Joan Alison, (David Manners and Julie Bishop). They are put in the same car as Werdegast. They have a conversation, until their is a bad train accident. Dr. Werdegast helps a seriously injured Joan. He takes her and David to the home of Hjalmar Poelzig, who is now a famous architect.
Poelzig is not only a bad guy, but seems to delight in evil and mystery. His home is built on a battlefield. He keeps Werdegast’s dead wife in a case. He shows the doctor and lies about her manner of death. The worst is that Poelzig worships the devil. He is planning on sacrificing Joan Alison. It will take Werdergast’s thirst for vengeance, and Joan to impede Poelzig’s plan.
This movie has everything a horror film needs. It has the atmosphere. Nothing could be better than a creepy castle. There is the damsel in distress. Julie Bishop does what is required for her role. David Manners is simply doing the same character in Dracula, but it works. Karloff is pure evil. Bela Lugosi has one of his finest roles. He isn’t good, simply mad with vengeance. This is one of the few times he is better than Karloff. His turn as Igor in The Son of Frankenstein is another. Igor is simply evil, Dr. Vitus Werdegast is a man driven over the edge. This simple but effective horror film was put together by Edgar G. Ulmer, who wrote the story. Ulmer’s directing talent was cut short by a scandal, and never had any success after this movie.
The Black Cat has nothing to do with the Edgar Alan Poe story. There is a black cat that does appear. The main character, Dr. Verdegast, is terrified of cats. This fear keeps him from killing Poelzig, when a black cat appears. The script written by Peter Ruric. It has a few plot holes, but the story comes together. It seems to be reminiscent of Dracula foreshadowing the finale of Bride of Frankenstein. This is a good thing. It also shows what can happen when masters of horror come together.