Cast
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Bela Lugosi
as Prof Leonide
George Zucco
as Dr. Josef Van Ee
Nat Pendleton
as Bill 'Bull' Raymond
Molly Lamont
as Laura Van Ee
Joyce Compton
as Jane Cornell
Gladys Blake
as Lilly Beth
Roland Varno
as Ward Van Ee
Angelo Rossitto
as Indigo
Douglas Fowley
as Terry Lee
Stanley Andrews
as Pathologist
Lee Bennett
as Rene the Killer
Stanley Price
as Autopsy Surgeon
Dorothy Christy
as Mrs. Williams (uncredited)
Crew
Director
- Christy Cabanne
Producer
- William B. David
Reviews
CinemaSerf
It's only an hour long, but this still manages to involve a couple of the worst performances I've seen in a long, long time. Bela Lugosi and George Zucco - who can normally be relied upon to deliver well enough in these short horror/thriller features are just not on form together at all here. The dialogue is unsure in what genre the film wants to sit - a suspenseful thriller with the odd bit of comedy, or a comedic thriller with the odd, well, thrill. It appears to, reluctantly, settle for the latter but by then the somewhat irrelevant story of a murdered woman who relates the events leading up to the crime no longer really matters. It has way too many daft sub-plots and by the time we do approach the end you've almost forgotten what/who or, more importantly - why?
Jul 7, 2022
Thematic Analysis
This Horror/Mystery/Thriller/Comedy film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. Scared to Death presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.
Director Christy Cabanne brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1947, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Scared to Death took approximately 33 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 68 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 125 minutes long.
- The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
- The film contains approximately 971 individual shots.
- The screenplay went through 5 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
Historical Context
- In 1947, when this film was released:
- The Cold War was intensifying, influencing global politics and culture.
- Television was becoming a dominant form of home entertainment.
- The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.
How This Film Stands Out
While Scared to Death shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Rasputin: The Mad Monk, which focuses more on action than character development, Scared to Death subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Whirlpool and Horrors of the Black Museum explore similar territory, Scared to Death stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: February 1, 1947
- Runtime: 1h 8m
Where to Watch
