Review of The Black Sleep (1956) by Matthew S — 30 Dec 2010
Amazing cheap-jack poverty-row affair, stunning in its non-opulence, but greatly elevated by some earnest performances by its cast of horror veterans, detailing the sincere-yet-loony-toons Dr. Cadman's (The forever-awesome Basil Rathbone) attempts at exploratory brain surgery, utilizing the mysterious drug, the titular "Black Sleep" as a rudimentary anesthetic.
Unfortunately, many of his human lab-rats survive and become drooling, homicidal maniacs, several of which (Including John Carradine, Lon Chaney, Jr., Tor Johnson, and a mute, very decrepit Bela Lugosi in one of his last films-) later escape their captivity in Cadman's subterranean dungeons and mete out their own brand of vengeful justice.
Great character actor Akim Tamiroff steals the whole shebang as the odious Odo, gypsy purveyor of the deranged doc's many hapless victims. Corny fun!
This review of The Black Sleep (1956) was written by Matthew S on 30 Dec 2010.
The Black Sleep has generally received mixed reviews.
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