The Corpse Vanishes

The Movie

Bela Lugosi plays a botany professor who creates unique orchids, and sends them to blushing brides on their wedding days. But, they are not around to enjoy the reception as Professor Lorenz, aided by an old hag, her idiot son, and a dwarf, kidnaps them to use their blood to rejuvenate his wife. Not only a mad scientist, but his 'n' hers matching coffins, too!

Starring:
Bela Lugosi as Dr. Lorenz
Luana Walters as Patricia Hunter, Reporter
Tristram Coffin as Dr. Foster
Elizabeth Russell as Countess Lorenz
Minerva Urecal as Fagah
Angelo Rossitto as Toby (as Angelo)
Joan Barclay as Alice Wentworth
Kenneth Harlan as Keenan
Gwen Kenyon as Peggy Woods
Vince Barnett as Sandy, Photographer
Frank Moran as Angel
George Eldredge as Mike
Directed by: Wallace Fox

Review

This movie is not billed as a vampire movie, and the word is never mentioned, despite the brooding presence of Lugosi. However, though fangs are absent, the need for blood is there, and the usual B Movie efforts to obtain it.

Our heroine, Patricia Hunter, newspaper reporter, could have been an inspiration for Lois Lane; she'd do anything to get a story, even ignore the evidence of her own eyes - by the time she works out the point of the orchids, the whole cinema is screaming at the screen! But that's a perfect B movie ... which would not be complete without the dashing hero, Tristram Coffin as Dr Foster, who, as B movies dictate, is none too bright - but is as strong as an ox, with a heart of gold. He has also been tending to Countess Lorenz without suspecting a thing, but immediately believes our heroine's story of kidnapping and intrigue. Who wouldn't?

As these movies go, it's a clever idea, quite nicely executed. I felt that the 'Igor' character and his dear old mum were a tad incidental to the plot, and the dwarf added little, but old habits die hard in Hollywood.

The lead characters were warm and sympathetic, and the humour is nicely paced - I particularly liked the newspaper editor's efforts.

By no means a 'pure' vampire movie, but a neat horror film that fits in nicely. And if you doubt its intentions ... don't forget the matching coffins, neatly explained away by The professor ... but no spoilers here. Go see it.

The DVD

Often appears in double bill - even triple bill - collections; at 63 minutes per movie, that's not difficult. No special features.