Review of The Mummy's Tomb (1942) by Byron B — 10 Oct 2012

In reality 2 years have passed, but in the plot of this sequel, 30 years have supposedly passed. It would be hell trying to form some continuity on a timeline for this franchise. Steve Banning is back home in Massachusetts with his family, including his son (Hubbard) and his son's fiance (Knox).

He spends about 10 minutes (out of about a one hour run time) retelling the plot of the previous mummy film. The ancient Egyptian scenes with Karloff's back and Tyler's face are recycled again too.

Then we learn that Andoheb didn't really die. He passes on the responsibilities of the high priests of Arkan to Mehemet Bey (played by Turhan Bey, which is a stage name). And Kharis, as all the undead monsters of Universal prove, never really dies.

Bey takes Kharis by ship to get revenge on the Banning family in Massachusetts. This is the first of three times Lon Chaney Jr. would play the Mummy. Chaney Jr. solidifies the mummy's one weak arm (unless he's carrying away a woman) and one dragging leg, as well as only one eye.

Bey, as the new high priest character, looks like he holds promise. At Bey's command the mummy causes havoc in the small New England town. Despite how slowly he moves, the sheriff, the younger Dr.

Banning, and the townspeople can only seem to spot the mummy's shadow as bodies start piling up. Babe Hanson isn't dead yet either. He comes to town trying to get people to believe in the supernatural monster he and Banning helped release.

Ultimately the high priest falls for Dr. Banning's fiance. This is a standard character flaw in high priests of Arkan, I guess. Again the mummy doesn't get the girl, but at least there are better pyrotechnic effects in the end.