The Monster Walks

Infobox Film
name = The Monster Walks


caption = A Mexican promotional lobby card for "The Monster Walks."
director = Frank R. Strayer
producer = Cliff P. Broughton
Ralph M. Like
writer = Robert Ellis
starring = Rex Lease
Vera Reynolds
Sheldon Lewis
Mischa Auer
music = Jean de la Roche
Charles Dunworth
cinematography = Jules Cronjager
editing = Byron Robinson
distributor = Mayfair Pictures Corporation
released = 7 February 1932
runtime = 63 min
country = USA
language = English
budget =
preceded_by =
followed_by =
amg_id = 1:33168
imdb_id = 0023236

"The Monster Walks" (1932) directed by Frank R. Strayer, is a black-and-white horror movie.

Plot

The film opens with Ruth Earlton and her fiance Dr. Ted Carver arriving at her father's house. She has been told that he died, and is returning to find out what will be done with the estate. They arrive on a stormy night, and are greeted by her invalid uncle Robert, the housekeeper Mrs. Krug and the housekeeper's son Hanns.

While exploring the mansion, Ruth is dismayed to find a large ape her father used to conduct experiments in the basement. She and the others then gather to learn how the Earlton estate will be divided. Earlton has left his estate to Ruth, but it will go to her uncle Robert in the event of her death. Very small monthly sums are also left to the housekeeper Mrs. Krug and her son Hanns. These two are very upset about the small amount of the allowance.

When Ruth goes to bed that night, a large, hairy hand reaches through the headboard and attempts to strangle her. When she screams, it disappears. Her fiance and Mrs. Krug arrive at her room, and attempt to comfort her. Ted gives her a sleeping potion, and she falls asleep in a chair in her room while Mrs. Krug stays with her, taking the bed.

The hairy hand reappears and strangles Mrs. Krug this time, killing her. Ruth awakens and alerts the rest of the household as to what has happened. Afterward, Hanns Krug meets with Robert Earlton in secret, and tells him that their plan to kill Ruth Earlton has failed and he has accidentally murdered his own mother. He blames Robert for this, and after mentioning the fact that Robert is his father, he strangles him as well, leaving him for dead.

Dr. Clayton visits Robert's room, and Robert regains consciousness. He tells Clayton about the plan he and Hanns had to murder Ruth, so that the estate would go to them instead. Clayton rushes out to find Ruth and warn her. She has already been taken by Hanns to the basement though, where he attempts to force the ape to kill her. The ape turns on him instead, killing him. Clayton arrives to find Ruth alive and well. [cite web | url=http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title.jsp?stid=83901&category=Full%20Synopsis | title=The Monster Walks Synopsis | publisher=TurnerClassicMovies.com]

Cast

*Rex Lease: Dr. Ted Clayton
*Vera Reynolds: Ruth Earlton
*Sheldon Lewis: Robert Earlton
*Mischa Auer: Hanns Krug
*Martha Mattox: Mrs. Emma 'Tanty' Krug

Copyright Status

This film is widely available, because its copyright has lapsed, placing it in the public domain in the United States and other countries.

References

External Links

* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0023236/ The Monster Walks page on IMDB]
* [http://www.allmovie.com/cg/avg.dll?p=avg&sql=1:33168~T0 The Monster Walks page on Allmovie.com]