Review of The Mummy's Hand (1940)

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A monster movie jolt from Universal Studios' fright factory, and the film that introduced Kharis the mummy. This foot-dragging monster wrapped in ace bandages became a standard member of Universal's classic monster family. Stalwart Dick Foran and a party of fortune hunters and archaeologists search for the lost tomb of Princess Ananka. The loyal minions of the ancient Egyptian gods, led by George Zucco, seek to thwart their purpose and protect the sacred tomb. Sometime Western actor Tom Tyler makes a one-time appearance as the mummy. As fans of classic horror films know, the mummy has a terrific thirst for tana leaf tea, a lusty 3,000-year-old love affair with Princess Ananka, and strangles everyone that gets in his way. The plot takes some time to really get going. Younger viewers may squirm a little as they await the mummy's first appearance. After the lost tomb is uncovered, however, the story rapidly shifts gears to an exciting suspense mode, and fans of classic horror films rejoice. As the wild jackals howl in the distance and the full moon illumines the Egyptian night, diabolic death holds dominion over those who defiled Ananka's tomb. Some of the exterior scenes of southern California doubling as Egypt are amusing examples of unintended humor. Checkout the primitive special effects of the mummy's glowing eyes. Again, good triumphs over the evil forces of darkness. Relax and enjoy the old-fashioned chills and thrills. ;-)

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In the 40's Universal was busy makin' monster movies! They made some of their best(The Wolf Man, The Invisible Man) and they made some of their worst(The Mummy and Frankenstein sequels). Don't get me wrong, I love all of these movies, but lets be honest, some of these films are down right silly.

'The Mummy's Hand' is a decent film as long as you look at it the right way, it's a fun picture. This "Horror" film plays up the comedy with a "wanna be" Abbott & Costello duo as the leads of this picture. This is a good thing as it makes the film a lot of fun. The Mummy and sets are good and there is some atmosphere in this first of four film series.

Please don't consider these films sequels to the original classic starring Karloff, I know they use footage from the first film, but the names have changed and the story has been altered. I rate this film 3 1/2 Stars for it's fun factor. This was the only film in this series to not use Lon Chaney Jr. as the Mummy. That honor goes to Tom Tyler. This is available on DVD on the Mummy Legacy collection and on a double bill with The Mummy's Tomb.

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When Universal dusted off the concept of their mummy, they changed the story quite a bit from the original movie with Boris Karloff. Somehow the reincarnated creature was not quite as menacing as Boris was, but these movies are still a great deal of fun to watch.

With egyptian priests, tanna leaves (which by the way, always looked like an ingredient I use when I make soup...bay leaves!) and a moldy ol' mummy, what else could an old monster movie fan want?

By the way, the longer the mummy series went, the more it became apparent to me that the only way Kharis could get you was if he got the drop on you from behind or snuck up on you. With all those bandages and 3,000 year old joints, he hardly moved faster than a snail's pace. I'm not much of a runner, but I know I could out-run him! But that misses the whole point. Anyone faced with a creature such as Kharis would no doubt be petrified with fright and couldn't move!

Recommended, along with the rest of the movies in the series.

Honest reviews on The Mummy's Hand (1940)

After having rested the saga of the mummy for almost 8 years since the release of the splendid Boris Karloff version Universal launced into a new cycle of Mummy movies to entertain patrons no doubt distracted by the horrors of the fast approaching World War.

On that level "The Mummy's Hand" is a well made and entertaining piece of movie making which never asks you to strain your brain muscles for too long. The saga of the mummy damned to eternal unrest for loving a high priestess and disturbing her burial place provides lots of opportunities for thrills and excitement and this film does not disappoint. While it could never compare with the Karloff classic I still feel it has its merits. Despite being placed in the "B" movie basket "The Mummy's Hand" has some great performers and vivid situations that were used over and over again in later films.

The film can be almost divided into two sections. The first section being almost a comic romp depicting Steve Banning"s (Dick Foran) and Babe's (Wallace Ford) adventures in Cairo and their efforts to set up a team of diggers to find the tomb of the high priestess Anuka. Almost too suddenly it then changes into a chilling drama when the mummy appears and death comes to numerous members of the Banning team. I feel the lead up to this section of the proceedings is too long in coming and really the story does meander too much before the real action around the tomb begins. Nevertheless the second half of the film is a vast improvement and the drama and horror of the proceedings really does involve you totally.

Tom Tyler, a former cowboy star for the first and only time places Kharis (after this film Lon Chaney Jnr took over the role for the remaining 3 films). He is excellent in the role and brings just the right sinister and cruel elements, combined with an almost pathetic longing for the high priestess, to make the character one we can almost feel for in a way. His look as Kharis is also different to Chaney's depiction and I feel he looks the part in a more horrific way. The film certainly benefits from a sterling supporting cast. George Zucco makes his first memorable appearance in this film as the high priest Andoheb. He would return in later films in the mummy series and as always he is most effective playing a sinister character bent on destroying the defilers of Anuka's tomb. His killing of the Dr.Petrie character is in particular very well done with our first sight of Kharis being returned to life with the juice of tanna leaves positively sending chills up one's spine. Peggy Moran makes a suitable heroine for the film and Cecil Kellaway is also on target with his depiction of the great Solvani who gets involved in the expedition to the tomb.

Overraul the look of the film is excellent. Universal had a very unique way of making even their "B" films have an expensive look to them and "The Mummy's Hand" is no exception. It benefits from the reuse of a temple set from an earlier film "Green Hell" which looks effective but unfortunately to the trained eye has Mayan or Aztec decorations rather than ancient Egyptian ones!! Also some of the outdoor locations are obviously Californian and they do have a spoiling effect on the look of the film.

Nevertheless its a good effort and certainly is an entertaining film full of atmosphere and thrills. The next installment in the Kharis/Mummy series "The Mummy's Tomb" which came out in 1942, is in my opinion the best film in the series. Enjoy "The Mummy's Hand" and lap up the old fashioned thrills that it provides.

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Though not on the same level as the romantic original, this semi-sequel is marvelous, kitschy fun, sort of like going to a carnival. The film begins as a cheerful action comedy, but builds to a climax that is as atmospheric and creepy as we have a right to expect. George Zucco is brilliant as the High Priest of Karnak, and the way Universal recycled old sets and music from past horror thrillers is brilliant. It's not Shakespeare(or even Stoker), but it is certianly good clean fun of a kind we just don't see anymore.