This is probably John Carradine's crowning achievement on film, an A budget film for Producer's Releasing Corporation, the lowest of all low poverty row studios. Under the direction of master Edgar Ullmer, Carradine really gives an award level performance that shows the torment in the eyes of the mad killer. He's a well regarded Parisian puppeteer who wants to get back into painting and falls in love with the beautiful Jean Parker who has been an admirer of his puppetry for years.
When he begins to paint beautiful women, something takes over him and he strangles them. His first victim was jealous of his obvious attraction to Parker at the puppet show and this brings out his fury which results in her doom. Other victims follow, and his mentor, a very good Ludwig Stössel, tries to get him to stop.
The guilt of Carradine's conscience takes over, but there's a madness greater inside him, and in on extended sequence, a flashback reveals what led him to murder. Carradine really earns the sympathy for his tortured character, and he becomes one of the most sympathy deserving monsters in cinema history.
Iris Adrian may seem out of place as an obvious non-Parisian in the courtroom scene, but it's a very funny scene and one of the highlights of the film. sensational photography and art direction and a dramatic musical score you won't forget aides this in creating the perfect mood. This is a film that definitely deserves a restoration because some of the sound seems out of sync in the public domain prints, and of course, being a great film adds to that need regardless of what surviving prints are available.
When he begins to paint beautiful women, something takes over him and he strangles them. His first victim was jealous of his obvious attraction to Parker at the puppet show and this brings out his fury which results in her doom. Other victims follow, and his mentor, a very good Ludwig Stössel, tries to get him to stop.
The guilt of Carradine's conscience takes over, but there's a madness greater inside him, and in on extended sequence, a flashback reveals what led him to murder. Carradine really earns the sympathy for his tortured character, and he becomes one of the most sympathy deserving monsters in cinema history.
Iris Adrian may seem out of place as an obvious non-Parisian in the courtroom scene, but it's a very funny scene and one of the highlights of the film. sensational photography and art direction and a dramatic musical score you won't forget aides this in creating the perfect mood. This is a film that definitely deserves a restoration because some of the sound seems out of sync in the public domain prints, and of course, being a great film adds to that need regardless of what surviving prints are available.