Watch The Corpse Vanishes with Bela Lugosi
- 1942
- 1 hr 2 min
In the movie The Corpse Vanishes, Bela Lugosi plays Dr. Lorenz, a mad scientist who is obsessed with keeping his much younger wife, Countess Lorenz (played by Elizabeth Russell), youthful and beautiful. He achieves this by kidnapping young brides on their wedding day and extracting a glandular secretion from them, which he uses to create a rejuvenating serum for his wife. However, his experiments have caused several of the brides to die, and their bodies are taken away by a mysterious van that is always seen lurking nearby.
One of the brides he kidnaps is Alice Wentworth (played by Luana Walters), a young woman who is engaged to a newspaper reporter named Pat Hunter (played by Tris Coffin). When Alice disappears, Pat becomes suspicious and starts investigating. Meanwhile, Dr. Lorenz's sinister activities have caught the attention of a group of elderly women who call themselves the
The Corpse Vanishes was released in 1942 and is a classic example of the B-movie horror genre. It has all the trademarks of a low-budget film, including cheap sets, stilted dialogue, and over-the-top performances. However, it also has a certain charm that is hard to resist, thanks in large part to Bela Lugosi's performance as the villainous Dr. Lorenz.
Lugosi was already famous for his role as Dracula in the 1931 movie of the same name, and he brings his signature macabre style to The Corpse Vanishes. He is a commanding presence on screen, with his piercing gaze and dramatic gestures, and he delivers his lines with just the right amount of sinister relish.
However, Lugosi is not the only actor who shines in this movie. Luana Walters is also excellent as the plucky heroine who refuses to be a damsel in distress. She is smart and resourceful, and she does not hesitate to take matters into her own hands when her fiancé is in danger. In many ways, she is a precursor to the strong female leads that would become a staple of the horror genre in the decades to come.
The supporting cast is also noteworthy. Elizabeth Russell is suitably creepy as the ageless Countess Lorenz, while Tris Coffin is charming as the intrepid reporter who helps Alice's investigation. The elderly women who make up the Secret Order of the Black Orchid are delightfully eccentric, and they provide some much-needed comic relief amidst all the suspense and horror.
Of course, no discussion of The Corpse Vanishes would be complete without mentioning the titular corpse van. This vehicle, with its ominous black exterior and eerie blue lights, is a visual standout in the movie. It serves as a constant reminder of the danger that lurks around every corner, and it adds to the overall atmosphere of dread.
Despite its flaws, The Corpse Vanishes is a fun and entertaining movie that is a must-see for fans of classic horror. It may not have the polish or sophistication of more highbrow films, but it more than makes up for it with its campy charm, memorable characters, and delightful atmosphere of creepy fun. Whether you're a die-hard Lugosi fan or just looking for a fun way to pass the time on a dark and stormy night, The Corpse Vanishes is definitely worth checking out.