The dedicated detectives of Scotland Yard are investigating a series of deaths involving victims found drowned in the Thames. The link in these baffling murders is that they were all indemnified through Dr. Feodor Orloff (horror icon Bela Lugosi), an insurance agent who’s designated The Dearborn Home for the Blind as their beneficiary. Could there be a deeper connection between the sinister Orloff and John Dearborn, the kindly minister in charge of the home?

Detective Inspector Larry Holt (Hugh Williams) is convinced there is and his investigation becomes personal when the daughter of one of the victims, Diana Stuart (Greta Gynt), is recommended by Orloff for secretarial work at the Dearborn home. The inspector quickly develops an attraction for Diana, but she soon learns too much and will suffer the same fate as her father if Holt doesn’t act quickly to solve the case.

Shot in a speedy eleven days, The Human Monster (A.K.A. The Dark Eyes of London) was based on a 1924 novel by prolific mystery author Edgar Wallace (the co-creator of King Kong) and provided Lugosi with a rare opportunity to appear in a motion picture produced abroad. Monster was also the first British film to receive an “”H”” certificate (for “Horrific”) from the British Board of Censors meaning that children under the age of 16 were not permitted to see the motion picture.

Utilizing moody lighting and atmospheric sets, The Human Monster stands out as one of Lugosi’s more memorable post-Dracula showcases and he’s aided immeasurably by a fine supporting cast and skillful direction from Walter Summers (The Return of Bulldog Drummond), who also contributed to the script along with Patrick Kirwan, Jan Van Lusil and producer John Argyle.

STARRING: Bela Lugosi, Hugh Williams, Greta Gynt, Edmon Ryan, Wilfred Walter, Alexander Field, O.B. Clarence, May Hallatt

Read more “The Human Monster (1939) Available February 28”