This week’s mystery movie was the 1943 Universal film The Mad Ghoul, with David Bruce, Evelyn Ankers, George Zucco, Robert Armstrong, Turhan Bey and Milburn Stone.
Screenplay by Brenda Weisberg and Paul Gangelin.
Original story by Hans Kraly.
Photography by Milton Krasner.
Art direction by John B. Goodman and Martin Obzina.
Sound by Bernard B. Brown and Jess Moulin.
Set decoration by R.A. Gausman and A.J. Gilmore.
Musical direction by H.J. Salter.
Edited by Milton Carruth.
Gowns by Vera West.
Associate producer Benjamin Pivar.
Directed by James Hogan.
Further information on The Mad Ghoul is available from the AFI Catalog.
The Mad Ghoul is available on DVD from Critics’ Choice Video.
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Continuing our Halloween theme for October, we have another zombie movie, and a fairly good one. Although the casting appears to have been depleted by actors called to duty in World War II, the players do a fine job (George Zucco is an excellent mad scientist) and the production values are surprisingly good, as reflected by the crowd scenes for the song recitals by Evelyn Ankers’ character.
How much did Bosley hate it? Oh, I suppose quite a bit. We may be in “alphabet critic” territory.
Oh my, the headline on Bosley’s review (The New York Times, December 11, 1943) is “Ghoul Days.” This is the entire review:
Most of the ghouls we’ve met in horror films have been more or less scatter-brained (oh, Bosley, you are such a wit!), so there’s really nothing out of the ordinary about the one in Universal’s The Mad Ghoul, which came clomping and goggle-eyeing into the Rialto yesterday. He is just another poor unfortunate who has been turned into a walking fiend by another maniacal scientist who has discovered some peculiar witching-gas. And the nature of his madness is no different from that of any ghoul who has gone clawing around among cadavers and generally making a nuisance of himself. As a matter of fact, we would call him a definitely second-rate ghoul. And if anyone is privileged to be crazy, it’s us poor folks who have to look at such things.
For Monday, we have a mysterious fellow at work in his laboratory. As before, no roller coasters, amusement parks or gorillas (or current or former inmates of mystery movie jail) are involved in our mysterious film.
Update: This is George Zucco.
For Tuesday, we have a mystery woman having a martini.
Update: This is Rose Hobart. The server remains unidentified.
Brain Trust roll call: Rascott59 (Monday’s mysterious mad scientist), Bob Hansen (Monday’s mysterious mad scientist), Chrisbo (Monday’s mysterious mad scientist), Matthew Berger (Monday’s mysterious mad scientist), Mike Hawks (Mystery movie and mysterious mad scientist) and Megan and Thom (mystery movie and mysterious mad scientist).
For “Hm Wednesday,” we have two fellows of great mystery.
Update: This is Milburn Stone, left, and Robert Armstrong.
Brain Trust roll call: Anne Papineau (mystery movie and all mystery guests), L.C. (mystery movie and enigmatic cast), Stacia (mystery movie and all mystery guests), Chrisbo (mystery movie and Tuesday’s mysterious woman), Mike Hawks (Tuesday’s woman of mystery) and Roget-L.A. (mystery movie and all mysterious guests).
For “Aha Thursday,” we have a mysterious couple.
Update: This is Turhan Bey and Evelyn Ankers.
Brain Trust roll call: Sheila (mystery movie and all mysterious guests), B.J. Merholz (mystery movie, Monday’s and Wednesday’s mysterious guests), Mike Hawks (Wednesday’s mysterious guests) and Sylvia (mystery movie and all mysterious guests, plus mystery cinematographer and enigmatic makeup artist).
For Friday, we have a mysterious mad scientist and his mysterious companion.
Update: This is David Bruce, left, and George Zucco.
Brain Trust roll call: Chrisbo (Wednesday’s mystery guest No. 2 and Thursday’s mystery guests), Anne Papineau (Wednesday’s and Thursday’s mysterious guests), Sylvia E. (Thursday’s mystery guests), Megan and Thom (Tuesday’s, Wednesday’s and Thursday’s mysterious guests), B.J. Merholz (Thursday’s mysterious fellow) and Mike Hawks (Thursday’s mystery guests).
It looks alot like George Zucco.
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Looks like George Zucco on Monday. I don’t know the movie however.
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George Zucco Monday?
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Not sure of the film, but getting strong George Zucco vibes!
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George Zucco in THE MAD GHOUL.
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Our movie is The Mad Ghoul with George Zucco.
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Might that be Rose Hobart about to share a Manhattan served in a martini glass with newspaperman Robert Armstrong in “The Mad Ghoul”? On Monday, George Zucco wearing his Covid mask.
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The Mad Ghoul (1943) w/George Zucco, Evelyn Ankers, David Bruce, Turhan Bey, Robert Armstrong, Milburn Stone, Rose Hobart, Charles McGraw…
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It’s THE MAD GHOUL! I didn’t get to watch the whole movie yet but Monday is George Zucco and I’m pretty sure Tuesday is Rose Hobart, although when I went forward to the second scene she was in I could have sworn she was called “Shirl” or “Cheryl” and there is no character by that name on the IMDb.
Also started watching the previous Movieland Mystery Contestant KING OF THE ZOMBIES yesterday and boy do I have thoughts!
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I think this may be The Mad Ghoul, and that may be Rose Hobart.
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Rose Hobart.
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I believe Monday’s mysterious fellow at work in his laboratory is George Zucco and Tuesday’s mystery woman having a martini is Rose Hobart. If so, then the mystery movie would be The Mad Ghoul (1943).
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George Zucco, Rose Hobart, Milburn Stone, Robert Armstrong in THE MAD GHOUL!!!
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Robert Armstrong
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Is George Zucco the Mad Ghoul?
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Milburn Stone and Robert Armstrong.
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The Mad Ghoul 1943
Monday – George Zucco
Tuesday – Rose Hobart, I think
Wednesday – Milburn Stone (sans “Doc” moustache) and Robert Armstrong
Shout outs to: Milton Krasner, cinematographer who later won an Oscar and Jack Pierce, makeup guy – nicely subtle zombie look
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Wednesday: Charles McGraw, Robert Armstrong. Thursday: Turhan Bey, Evelyn Ankers
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Am hoping that’s Milburn Stone chatting up Robert Armstrong, followed by Turhan Bey and Evelyn Ankers.
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Thursday – Turhan Bey and Evelyn Ankers
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Our guests are Rose Hobart, Milburn Stone, Robert Armstrong, Turhan Bey, and Evelym Ankers.
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I must say Turham Bey.
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Turhan Bey and Evelyn Ankers.
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David Bruce and George Zucco
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David Bruce and George Zucco.
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