A resurrected Egyptian mummy searches Cairo for the girl he believes to be his long-lost princess.A resurrected Egyptian mummy searches Cairo for the girl he believes to be his long-lost princess.A resurrected Egyptian mummy searches Cairo for the girl he believes to be his long-lost princess.
- Awards
- 1 win & 4 nominations
Henry Victor
- The Saxon Warrior
- (scenes deleted)
Arnold Gray
- Knight
- (scenes deleted)
Florence Britton
- Nurse
- (uncredited)
Jack Deery
- Party Guest
- (uncredited)
Bill Elliott
- Party Guest
- (uncredited)
Leyland Hodgson
- Gentleman #2 at Cairo Party
- (uncredited)
Eddie Kane
- Inspector's Assistant
- (uncredited)
Tony Marlow
- Police Inspector
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe main theme music to the opening credits is the same movement from Swan Lake used to open Dracula (1931).
- GoofsImhotep has been sentenced to "the Nameless Death", yet his name is still inscribed on his coffin. The ancient Egyptians had chisels and should have been able to destroy the glyphs on the coffin that make up Imhotep's name, but it is untouched when his mummy is found.
- Quotes
[Norton laughs manically after seeing the Mummy leave the archaelogists' workshop with the sacred scroll]
Sir Joseph Whemple: What's the matter, man? For heaven's sake, what is it?
Ralph Norton: He went for a little walk! You should have seen his face!
- Crazy creditsThe credit begins over a rotating model of the Pyramids' site, then the main title 'The Mummy' is made with 3D rock letters on the side of a pyramid.
- ConnectionsEdited into The Mummy's Hand (1940)
- SoundtracksMisterioso
(uncredited)
Composer unknown
Precedes "Swan Lake" during opening credits
Featured review
True originals don't need remakes...
Given enough time and interest, I'm sure that I would have gotten around to the original Universal version of "The Mummy", but the hideous (in every respect) 1999 remake is the straw that broke the camel's back. The second I happened to see the original (complete with poster art) on the shelves of my local Wal-Mart, there were no second thoughts. It HAD to be better than that low-grade (though high budget)"Raiders of the Lost Ark" ripoff I spent two hours suffering through. Thankfully, my impulse proved to be on the money.
I really look at this film as Karloff's first piece of proof that there was more to his talent than Frankenstein's monster. Imhotep (aka Ardeth Bay) couldn't be more different than that sweet-natured brute. Though both are pathetic in their own way and lonely, Imhotep is more intelligent and a great deal more malicious by far. He's willing to do anything, kill anyone, and break any taboo to be reunited with his lost love. Karloff never has to raise his voice to convey menace; just a hardening of the eyes or a steely tone in that oh-so-distinct voice of his is enough to make you a little uneasy.
An overlooked aspect of this film is that, in a way, it's something of a tragedy. Imhotep has literally sacrificed everything he ever had just to be by the side of his beloved princess. So focused on this goal is he that he doesn't realize the great harm he is doing to all those around him, including to his beloved (who, in a thankful break with movie tradition at the time, proves to be the undoing of the immortal monster). I feel more of a sense of relief at film's end than triumph. Maybe now Imhotep can rest in peace.
I really look at this film as Karloff's first piece of proof that there was more to his talent than Frankenstein's monster. Imhotep (aka Ardeth Bay) couldn't be more different than that sweet-natured brute. Though both are pathetic in their own way and lonely, Imhotep is more intelligent and a great deal more malicious by far. He's willing to do anything, kill anyone, and break any taboo to be reunited with his lost love. Karloff never has to raise his voice to convey menace; just a hardening of the eyes or a steely tone in that oh-so-distinct voice of his is enough to make you a little uneasy.
An overlooked aspect of this film is that, in a way, it's something of a tragedy. Imhotep has literally sacrificed everything he ever had just to be by the side of his beloved princess. So focused on this goal is he that he doesn't realize the great harm he is doing to all those around him, including to his beloved (who, in a thankful break with movie tradition at the time, proves to be the undoing of the immortal monster). I feel more of a sense of relief at film's end than triumph. Maybe now Imhotep can rest in peace.
helpful•3815
- keihan
- Jul 1, 2000
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $196,000 (estimated)
- Gross worldwide
- $58
- Runtime1 hour 13 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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