USA, 1945
77m
35mm film, black and white, 1.37:1
mono, English
An American horror film directed by Robert Wise.
Plot Summary
A brilliant surgeon employs the services of an unscrupulous grave robber and soon comes to regret his decision.
Credits
Crew
Directed by: Robert Wise
Copyright MCMXLV [1945] RKO Radio Pictures, Inc.
RKO Radio Pictures, Inc. presents
Executive Producer: Jack J. Gross
Produced by: Val Lewton
Written for the Screen by: Philip MacDonald and Carlos Keith [real name: Val Lewton]
Based on a Short Story by: Robert Louis Stevenson
Assistant Director: Harry Scott
Director of Photography: Robert De Grasse
Camera Operator: Charles Burke *
Edited by: J.R. Whittredge
Music by: Roy Webb
Musical Director: C. Bakaleinikoff
Recorded by: Bailey Fesler
Rerecording by: Terry Kellum
RCA Sound System
Costumes: Renié
Art Directors: Albert S. D'Agostino, Walter E. Keller
Set Decorations: Darrell Silvera, John Sturtevant
Cast
Boris Karloff (John Gray)
Bela Lugosi (Joseph)
Henry Daniell (Dr Wolfe “Toddy” MacFarlane)
Edith Atwater (Meg Camden)
Russell Wade (Donald Fettes)
Rita Corday (Mrs Marsh)
Sharyn Moffett (Georgina Marsh)
Donna Lee (street singer)
Robert Clarke [Richardson – uncredited]
Aina Constant [maidservant – uncredited]
Mary Gordon [Mrs Mary McBride – uncredited]
Carl Kent [Gilchrist – uncredited]
Milton Kibbee [Dan – uncredited]
Jim Moran [horse trader – uncredited]
Jack Welch [boy – uncredited]
Larry Wheat [salesman – uncredited]
Bill Williams [medical student – uncredited]
Alternative Titles
La iena – Italian title
Der Leichendieb – German title
References
Periodicals
Cinefantastique vol.15 no.5 (January 1986) pp.30-31, 58-61 – illustrated article
Classic Images no.72 (November 1980) pp.20-21, 61 – review
Kine Weekly 15 November 1945 – review
Literature/Film Quarterly vol.10 no.1 (1982) pp.25-37 – review
Midi-Minuit Fantastique no.24 (Winter 1970 – 1971) p.64 – review
Monthly Film Bulletin vol.12 no.143 (November 1945) p.131 – credits, synopsis, review (by G.M.D.)
Monthly Film Bulletin vol.46 no.550 (November 1979) p.237 – credits, synopsis, review
New York Motion Picture Critics Reviews vol.2 no.18 (28 May 1945) pp.351-352 – credits, reprinted reviews
Radio Times vol.232 no.3008 (4-10 July 1981) pp.6-7 – illustrated article (Tasteful terror, elegant unease by Geoff Brown)
Radio Times vol.232 no.3018 (12 September 1981) p.78 – review
Shivers no.56 p.46 – review
Shivers no.91 (August/September 2001) p.54 – illustrated article
Today's Cinema vol.65 no.5266 (14 November 1945) – review (by J.G.W.)
Books
Hoffman's Guide to SF, Horror and Fantasy Movies 1991-1992 p.53 – review, credits
Horror and Science Fiction Films II by Donald C. Willis p.41 – credits
Reference Guide to Fantastic Films by Walt Lee p.43 – credits
