Review of The Body Snatcher (1945) by Eduardo C — 14 May 2009

I watched this film expecting a Universal shocker, as it starred Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi, perhaps a retelling of Burke and Hare. As an unabashed fan of the period this made me giddy. The film wound up being something entirely different, however, and I am not complaining one bit.

Produced by Val Lewton for RKO, this is an intensely atmospheric character study about a man who simply wants to forget and the man who will never let him. It features what is easily one of Boris Karloff's finest performances as the charming, menacing, wounded Mr. Gray. It is tasteful, beautiful to look at and certainly a standout picture from a period I adore.