The Walking Dead (1936)

No, this is not the comic book or TV series, and there are no zombies to be seen. In this case, "The Walking Dead" is the story of John Ellman - an ex-con who just two weeks after his release from prison is wrongfully convicted of the murder of the judge who originally sentenced him for his earlier crime. Ellman is the victim of a conspiracy among a group of rackateers who wanted the judge dead - a conspiracy that included his own lawyer. But Ellman's "good fortune" (maybe) is that Dr. Beaumont has been doing experiments involving bringing the dead back to life. Convinced by two of his associates (who know Ellman is innocent) to try his procedure on Ellman, Beaumont succeeds in raising him from the dead - and becomes fixated on what Ellman experienced while dead (although that really isn't a particularly well developed sidebar to the story.) Ultimately, Ellman takes revenge on those who framed him - although his revenge seems to be somewhat supernatural, and he never actually touches anyone.There's a "Frankenstein-ish" quality to this very short movie - which includes Boris Karloff (famous, of course, as Frankenstein's monster in the 1931 movie and the later "Bride of Frankenstein" in 1935.) In fact, Karloff apparently expressed some concerns that in the original script, Ellman was too much like the monster - especially because of his inability to speak - and the script was rewritten to accommodate Karloff's concerns. Even Beaumont's process of reviving Ellman resembled Dr. Frankenstein's experiment just a little bit - with bolts of lightning involved. To me, Karloff seemed to put on a ho hum performance. It wasn't especially riveting, although director Michael Curtiz made good use of close ups of Karloff's eyes. But this movie really wasn't at all frightening, and Ellman was no monster, although, again, there's a similarity to "Frankenstein" in the fact that both Ellman and the monster Karloff portrayed in the earlier movies were both objects of sympathy, not really responsible for anything that happened. Aside from the lack of any real fear factor, the movie may have tried to pack a little bit too much into 66 minutes. There are a lot of characters and a somewhat convoluted plot.Aside from Karloff, I immediately recognized Edmund Gwenn. Still more than a decade away from his famous turn as Kris Kringle in "Miracle on 34th Street, Gwenn here was Dr. Beaumont. He was all right in the role, but I honestly didn't feel that any of the cast were particular standouts, and the story is, for my taste, too much of a rehash of some of the basic plot of "Frankenstein." (3/10)

Nowadays, if the title 'The Walking Dead' gets mentioned, one will likely think that it's in reference to the popular current TV series. But it's also the title of this interesting and absorbing combination of the horror, sci-fi, and gangster genres! It's not without a flaw here or there, but in general it's effectively atmospheric, quite snappy (it only runs an hour and six minutes), and features a mostly wonderful cast, led by the powerfully expressive Boris Karloff, who does a fine job of underplaying his part.He plays John Ellman, a pathetic sap who'd been sent up the river for murder and who makes the ideal patsy for mobsters who conspire to kill a judge. This is the same judge who'd presided over Ellmans' trial, so the mobsters correctly figure out that authorities will assume that Ellman killed the man in revenge. Two witnesses who can testify that Ellman is innocent come forward, but not in time to prevent his execution. Fortunately, they work for a scientist named Beaumont (Edmund Gwenn) who successfully brings Ellman back to life! Each of the creeps that set our hero up soon receive an eerie visit from him.Karloff is pitiable and touching, especially in a key scene where, since his death seems imminent, he requests that his favourite piece of music be played. However, the others in the cast also do some fine work, including Ricardo Cortez as slimy lawyer Nolan, Henry O'Neill as prosecuting attorney Werner, Joe Sawyer as swaggering hit-man Trigger Smith, and the always welcome Barton MacLane as Loder, the most conscience-free of the bad guys. Marguerite Churchill and Warren Hull as witnesses Nancy and Jimmy are less satisfactory.Ably directed by legendary Michael Curtiz of "Casablanca" fame, this has you rooting for the sad eyed Ellman every step of the way. While it does work as a serious story, it doesn't miss opportunities for humour by making the idea of wagering a recurring theme; there's even a minor character named "Betcha".Absolute must viewing for Karloff fans.Seven out of 10.

Ex-convict John Ellman (Boris Karloff) is framed by crooked lawyer Nolan (Ricardo Cortez) and executed for a murder he didn't commit. Scientist Dr. Beaumont (Edmund Gwenn) uses electricity to bring Ellman back to life. But he doesn't come back right. He's seemingly mentally impaired yet out for revenge for those he holds responsible for what happened to him. Fantastic Karloff movie. Sort of a combo horror and gangster flick. Karloff would do many more movies with similar plots over the years but never quite this good. Part of what makes it so good is the excellent direction of Michael Curtiz. The "kills" are staged in very clever ways, implying some kind of divine justice. Also, Karloff's performance is very sympathetic and you really root for this guy because he was so badly treated by slimy Cortez. Great WB supporting cast includes Barton MacLane and Henry O'Neill. A real treat and a must-see for Karloff fans.

Forget the likes of , Griffith , Wyler , Renoir , Lean , Godard ,Spielberg , Coppolla and Scorsese because the greatest director of the 20th Century has got to be the Hungarian born Michael Curtiz . From musicals , to epics to melodrama Curtiz could master any sort of genre though curiously I'd never seen a Curtiz horror movie until I chanced upon THE WALKING DEAD from 1936 so sat down to watch with anticipation how Curtiz would weave his movie magic in the horror genre . After seeing it however I realised that it's not in fact a horror filmDespite the casting of Karloff , a title sequence that suggests otherwise along with a misleading title THE WALKING DEAD is a revenge thriller , not a horror film . Screewriter Ewan Anderson has written a painfully contrived B movie where everyone has to do something illogical in order for the story to continue . John Ellman gets framed for murder but the witnesses don't bother to come forward until sentence is carried out which sets up a chain of implausible events . Ellman's revenge has no supernatural overtones except in the minds of those who betrayed him That said there are some fair elements to the screenplay which does point out the flaws of the death penalty . As he sits in the condemned cell Ellman laments to the warder that " You take my life and then you grant me a small favour " and the mis en scene as Ellman is walked out to the place of execution does have an impressive mood . But if you want to see a great execution scene watch ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES or see an impressive scene involving a piano player watch CASABLANCA , both of which were directed by a certain Hungarian director