In a 16th-century European town, the ruling family has been given a prophecy that, should there ever be twin boys born, the younger will murder the older; so is dismayed when twins are born to the popular baron. The older grows to be a selfish, slovenly man, who inherits the castle at his father's death and becomes ruler over the formerly happy villagers. He enjoys his power until he learns his younger brother is returning from abroad and, afraid of the prophecy, he determines to murder his sibling, hide his body in the "black room" - an old torture chamber sealed away behind the fireplace - and then impersonate him, right down to his withered arm. In this way he hopes to not only avoid the prophecy, but also escape consequences of his other criminal deeds and obtain marriage to a local girl of the nobility...

Before I Hang

1940

English

6.1

♡ 3

45%

Nick Grinde Director

Don Beddoe as Capt. McGraw

Edward Earle as Dr. Nichols

Edward Van Sloan as Dr. Ralph Howard

Frank Richards as Otto Kron - Convict

Dr. John Garth conducting an innovative medical experiment aimed at prolonging life and combating aging. The experiment takes an unexpected turn, placing the doctor in a confrontation with the ethics of his work and the consequences of his research.

The Story of Louis Pasteur

1936

English

7.3

♡ 4

90%

William Dieterle Director

Edward Van Sloan as Chairman of Medical Society

Josephine Hutchinson as Marie Pasteur

Walter Kingsford as Napoleon III

Bill Elliott as Reporter

A true story about Louis Pasteur, who revolutionized medicine by proving that much disease is caused by microbes, that sanitation is paramount and that at least some diseases can be cured by vaccinations.

The Monster and the Girl

1941

English

6.0

♡ 5

31%

Stuart Heisler Director

Edward Van Sloan as Dave - the Warden

Cy Schindell as Henchman

Ethelreda Leopold as Party Girl

John Indrisano as Spectator

After a young woman is coerced into prostitution and her brother framed for murder by an organized crime syndicate, retribution in the form of an ape visits the mobsters.

The Scarlet Empress

1934

English

7.5

♡ 9

86%

85%

Action

based on novel or book

Josef von Sternberg Director

Sam Jaffe as Grand Duke Peter

Edward Van Sloan as Herr Wagner

Olive Tell as Princess Johanna Elizabeth

Marlene Dietrich as Princess Sophia Frederica / Catherine II

During the 18th century, German noblewoman Sophia Frederica, who would later become Catherine the Great, travels to Moscow to marry the dimwitted Grand Duke Peter, the heir to the Russian throne. Their arranged marriage proves to be loveless, and Catherine takes many lovers, including the handsome Count Alexei, and bears a son. When the unstable Peter eventually ascends to the throne, Catherine plots to oust him from power.

Grand Exit

1935

English

6.3

♡ 2

Erle C. Kenton Director

Dale Van Sickel as Elevator Operator

Edward Van Sloan as Klorer

Sam Flint as Mr. French

Edward Earle as Optical Man

A Stumped insurance company is forced to re-hire the most expensive, most big-headed, but best arson investigator to solve a string of major losses.

Baby Face

1933

English

7.5

♡ 9

100%

Alfred E. Green Director

John Elliott as Bank Director

Douglass Dumbrille as Brody

Edward Van Sloan as Jameson - Bank Director

Matty Roubert as Newsboy

A young woman uses her body and her sexuality to help her climb the social ladder, but soon begins to wonder if her new status will ever bring her happiness.

Frankenstein

1931

English

7.7

♡ 48

94%

87%

Action

based on novel or book

James Whale Director

Edward Van Sloan as Doctor Waldman

Mae Clarke as Elizabeth

Colin Clive as Henry Frankenstein

John Boles as Victor Moritz

Henry Frankenstein pieces together body parts in the hope of bringing a human-like creature to life. The mad scientist’s dreams are shattered by his monstrous creation awakening with rage to a world that hates and fears him.

The Mummy

1932

English

7.0

♡ 31

89%

Karl Freund Director

Edward Van Sloan as Doctor Muller

Arthur Tovey as Nubian

Bill Elliott as Party Guest

Bramwell Fletcher as Ralph Norton

An ancient Egyptian priest named Imhotep is revived when an archaeological expedition finds his mummy and one of the archaeologists accidentally reads an ancient life-giving spell. Imhotep escapes from the field site and searches for the reincarnation of the soul of his lover.

Dracula

1931

English

7.3

♡ 53

96%

82%

Action

based on novel or book

Tod Browning Director

William A. Boardway as Concertgoer Outside Theatre

Bela Lugosi as Count Dracula

Frances Dade as Lucy

Edward Van Sloan as Van Helsing

British estate agent Renfield travels to Transylvania to meet the mysterious Count Dracula, who is interested in leasing a castle in London. After Dracula enslaves Renfield and drives him to insanity, the pair sail to London together and Dracula, a secret vampire, begins preying on London socialites.