Review of The Frozen Ghost (1945) by Kevin N — 14 Mar 2012

One of the better installments in Universal's "Inner Sanctum" franchise, 'The Frozen Ghost' features some surprisingly engaging editing, transforming an ordinary cheap murder mystery story into an entertaining and stylish genre film.

Expressionistic lighting and staging lead to some interesting compositions, and some of the sets are effectively creepy. The story concerns a hypnotist named Alex Gregor, or "Gregor the Great", played by Lon Chaney Jr.

(the common thread through the series). In the opening scene, a man frustrates Gregor during his act and Gregor wills him to death under his breath. The man does indeed die, though there is no evidence that it was Gregor's doing.

Haunted by guilt, he goes into hiding with a friend at her wax museum, but the shadowy pace hides some dark secrets of its own and is no place for Gregor's rehabilitation. I like this story, I like director's Harold Young's creative direction, and Chaney is good as he always is.

This is a far cry from high art, but for those looking for good B-movie matinee fare, look no further than this.