Watch The Phantom Creeps

The Phantom Creeps is a science-fiction horror movie from 1939 directed by Ford Beebe and Saul A. Goodkind, and produced by Universal Pictures. The film follows the story of the evil Dr. Alex Zorka, played by Bela Lugosi, who creates a powerful robot to help him take over the world. The movie begins with Dr. Zorka first demonstrating his remote-controlled robot to his associates. However, this only leads to his own associates attempting to double-cross him and steal his invention. Zorka then decides to escape, making a vow to create an army of robots and sell it to the highest bidder. On the other side is government agent, Bob West, played by Robert Kent, who is tasked with stopping Zorka and his robots. He is aided by the brave journalist, Jean Drew, played by Dorothy Arnold, who wants to uncover the truth behind Zorka's plans. The movie follows Zorka's creation of his army of deadly robots, which takes place in his hidden laboratory, guarded by a host of traps and security measures. Zorka is also pursued by a mysterious "Spider" organization led by Anthony Collins, who seeks to stop Zorka before he can unleash his robot army on the world. Throughout the movie, the audience is treated to a series of thrilling scenes where Bob West and Jean Drew attempt to stop Zorka, through various means such as infiltrating the lab, stealing the robot’s blueprints and chasing him on car chases. The film effectively combines horror, adventure, and science fiction elements into a compelling storyline. One of the standout aspects of the movie is its use of special effects. The robot, in particular, stands out as a remarkable achievement for its time. It was brought to life by a combination of a crude animatronic model, stop-motion animation, and puppetry, which made it look ahead of time to its era. The robot was not the only wonder of the story as there were also other devices created by Dr. Zorka that were not less impressive, such as his invisibility cloak and his helmet mind control machine. The Phantom Creeps also features some iconic performances from the cast, particularly Bela Lugosi, who delivers a chilling performance as the sinister Dr. Zorka. Lugosi is known for his role in cult classic horror films such as Dracula and The Black Cat, and he does not disappoint in this film. His character's evil laugh is still widely recalled as emblematic of his style. Robert Kent and Dorothy Arnold also give great performances as government agent Bob West and journalist Jean Drew respectively. Their onscreen chemistry is palpable in every scene they share, and they make a dynamic duo that adds to the excitement throughout the movie. Overall, The Phantom Creeps is a must-see for fans of classic horror and science fiction. It captures the essence of both genres, with its thrilling storyline, creative special effects, and unforgettable performances. The film has gone on to become a cult classic and stands as a testament to the unique vision of filmmakers in the Golden Age of Hollywood.