Customer Reviews

The Mummy's Ghost [VHS]

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I believe all horror movie addicts have their own ideas of which of the four Mummy films made by Universal in the 1940's is the best. By the time "The Mummy's Ghost' was produced the mummy idea was tending to run a little dry. My personal favourite in the cycle is "The Mummy's Tomb' released in 1942 but nevertheless this film has a lot to offer and is perhaps most fondly remembered for its stirring and well staged finale which displayed a different slant to this ongoing saga.

"The Mummy's Ghost" continues the tale of Kharis the high priest dammned to an eternal undead state because of his forbidden love for the beautiful Princess Ananka. The story begins with the introduction of a new High Priest in the form of John Carradine who is appointed by the dying George Zucco (unaccountably back in the story after supposedly dying in the last film!) to travel back to Mapleton and and resurrect Kharis with use of tanner leaves from an extinct plant. His purpose is to retrieve the body of the Princess which is on display in the local Museum so that it can be reburied in the sacred ground intended for her in Egypt. This film sees the second appearance by Lon Chaney as the mummy and this time around we find the creature displayed in a more sympathetic light with a tortured element to his character as his love for the Princess is hindered yet again. Nevertheless Kharis being who he is naturally goes on a killing rampage until it is discovered that the spirit of Ananka on the night of the full moon has passed into a local woman of Egyptian ancestry Amina Monsouri (played by the beautiful Ramsey Ames). She naturally becomes the object of Kharis's affections and he carries her off only to find that Yousef bey (Carradine) also has designs on the beautiful woman for himself whereupon Kharis kills him and carries Amina off to the local swamps as she ages to Ananka's state.

While nothing really new is explored in "The Mummy's Ghost" story wise a number of interesting elements are used here. Ramsey Ames certainly is a beautiful woman but her delivery is still very much of the rising starlet level. She is effective in her role but it is John Carradine who holds centre place in this story. It seems that in every mummy film it is the evil High Priest who always has the meatiest role as seen by George Zucco's continual role in the series of films and in particular by Turhan Bey in "The Mummy's Tomb". Of particular mention in "Ghost" is the transformation over the course of the film of Ames character into the Princess Ananka which is very effective and is first seen in a streak of her hair turning white, then all her hair being transformed until the shocking final scene as she is being carried by Kharis towards the swamp when she suddenly turns into the 4000year old princess complete with shrivelled skin and sunken eyes. This scene is really the crowning glory of "The Mummy's Ghost" and the makeup employed here as Kharis and his lady disappear into the swamp is first rate and adds a definite eerie feel to the proceedings.

The finale here paved the way for the final film of the series "The Mummy's Curse" which completed the cycle of Kharis's story. Overall the look of this film is top notch. Chaney's mummy character complete with mouldy bandages, limp, and crushing hand grip has gone down in horror movie folklore and has a very memorable look about him. Universal had a definite way in presenting a polished look to even their "B" features such as this. Their continued success at the box office indicated that this type of rampant escapism was really what wartime audiences back home wanted to take their minds off what was happening in the world at that time. Escapism is definately what you get in "The Mummy's Ghost" and on that level it's an enjoyable viewing experience. I still recommend you view "The Mummy's Tomb' first as it has a slighly more eerie feel about it in my opinion. I find these mummy films so much more enjoyable than the current films on this topic as they are played straight and that is really half of their charm. Enjoy a few chills as the mummy comes to life again in "The Mummy's Ghost".

Leonard Maltin and mainstream critics have a snobbish attitude toward the old Universal horror classics. The Mummy's Ghost is a masterpiece from l943,starring probably one of the ravishing young starlets to come out of HOllywood,the mysterious but unforgettable Ramsey Ames, who portrays the Princess Anankah-Amina Mansouri character. One can view this dark, haunting tale as a morbid cinematic poem: the heroine dressed in her white silk gown sleep-walking to meet the monster, carried off into the swamp where she quickly transforms into an ancient mummy. John Carradine as the High Priest delivers a knock-out performance, his booming voice invoking the rites of ancient Eygpt. Lon Chaney, often drunk when making this movie, stumbles around and in real life gave Ramsey Ames a real scare as he carries her up a steep incline of steps. The music, the dream-like photography, the fast-pace makes this one of Hollywood's most unforgettable classics. Don't listen to the arrogant film critics like Leonard. Watch this one yourself and decide.

Although panned by critics, this sequel to "The Mummy's Tomb" is nonetheless interesting and enjoyable. Although it is not clear why, George Zucco is back (after having been shot in "The Mummy's Hand" and apparently dying in "The Mummy's Tomb"). This time, he sends John Carradine forth to recover the mummies of Kharis and Ananka, and Carradine essays his role rather well. With all due respect to Lon Chaney Jr., he was always best when portraying mute characters, and his performance in this picture is quite good. I would also agree wholeheartedly with the two previous reviewers who praise Ramsey Ames; her beauty and talent certainly add to the enjoyability of this film. Unfortunately for Kharis, Yousef Bey, like his predecessor, falls for the reincarnated (and apparently irresistible) Ananka, which arouses the wrath of Kharis. All in all, it's an enjoyable outing, with an original twist at the end. Get it - you'll like it!

This is really a great movie, with Kharis appearing at the right time. If they made a Kharis film today, it would be ruined by our "new ways", so I am glad they made such a great movie with just the right horror.

So the basics of this movie are that there are good scenes, it is made wonderfully in every way, and that it has a spectacular, spooky mummy!

"The Mummy's Ghost" was the first film I saw, at age 7, which taught me that things don't always end in a nice happy way. The ending wasn't what we kids were used to seeing. Such an outcome places this feature a cut above the rest of the 1940s Universal Mummy movies.

I agree with the New York reviewer below. Ramsey Ames is a real knockout. I also think she helps make this Mummy sequel a real classic. Her Vera West gowns of white silk are wonderful and classical, especially the way Ames wears them. The white silk contrasts with the shadowy menace of night and moonlight. I understand that starlet Acquanetta was scheduled to play the Princess Ananka role but fell and sprained her shoulder on the first day of shooting. Associate Producer Ben Pivar rushed Ramsey Ames into the role and it was an inspired decision. She portrays the Amina/Ananka role with tremulous dread. She has to be the most gorgeous starlet to ever come out of Hollywood. You can see her in a spiffy short bob in the l946 Republic Serial, "G-Men Never Forget." Bravo to Ramsey, the Queen of the Mummy's Brides.

Fans of classic horror films rejoice. The adventures of Kharis the mummy continue. Having dispatched the survivors of the Banning expedition in "The Mummy's Tomb," Kharis seeks to undo their vile sacrilege and restore Princess Ananka to her proper resting-place. In his ancient role as Ananka's protector, Kharis is strengthened with tannis leaf fluid dispensed by Yousef Bey (John Carradine), the latest holder of the sacred amulet. Lon Chaney as the mummy shuffles along dragging his foot, attired in moldy ace bandages. As the full moon illumines the night, a dread figure visits destruction on those for whom dark fate spells certain doom. The Massachusetts countryside is littered with corpses. The wandering soul of Ananka is reincarnated in a cryptic young woman named Amina. She falls under Kharis' spell but ages horribly as Ananka's 3,000 year-old spirit prevails. Yousef Bey, corrupted by his lust for Ananka, decides to restore her youth with tannis leaf fluid and take her for his own. Kharis objects, and a sequel is assured by an ambiguous conclusion in the boggy swamps.

Brevity is a virtue realized in the 61 minute running time of this movie. The story doesn't have a chance to go awry. The improbable setting of Small Town USA is a little silly, but not enough to matter. In the world of classic horror films, this is a second-stringer. It is an enjoyable monster movie jolt. Twelve year-olds of all ages can enjoy the old-fashioned thrills and chills. ;-)

I fell in love with the THE MUMMY when I was a kid in the 50's/60's. There are a lot of good stories and a lot of bad ones. Boris Karloff's version is my favorite but I highly recommend the versions filmed in 1940 to 1944.

THE MUMMY'S GHOST is good not as great as the old and new MUMMY but if you like the old movies you will get excited
in watching the evil Mummy get defeated.

A slight improvement over the incredibly padded "The Mummy's Tomb," this 1944 sequel finds Kharis (Lon Chaney Jr.) rising from the Massachusetts ashes in his undying quest for eternal love. The presence of John Carradine and George Zucco plus an effective swamp climax make this routine chiller worth enduring. Already on its last bandages, the final installment of the Universal series - "The Mummy's Curse" (released in December 1944) - gave Kharis a well-deserved rest.

Ok, By this third installment in the Mummy series the story is getting a little redundant but, who cares!? If you watch these films, you have probably grown up with them. This is Lon Chaney Jr.'s second outing as the Mummy and like the other two films you really can't recognize him under all that terrific ever changing make-up. Surprisingly enjoyable for fans of this atmospheric series, the best part of the film is the memorable ending with the Mummy and his rapidly aging princess sinking into the swamp. I rate this film 2 1/2 stars. A great spooky starter for a Halloween night horror fest. This is available on DVD on the Mummy's Legacy collection and on a double bill DVD with The Mummy's Curse. The DVD transfer is very good.