Feisty young Molly Lamont (essayed with fervent eye-rolling brio by Laura La Valle) relates from the coroner's slab how she was frightened to death. Director Christy Cabanne, working from a thoroughly bonkers script by Walter Abbott, tells the deliriously loopy story involving hypnosis and a creepy guy wearing a blue mask lurking at the window at a brisk pace and pitches the off the wall humor at a hysterically broad level. Moreover, the game cast has a ball with the nutty material: George Zucco keeps a straight face and maintains his dignity as the incredulous Dr. Joseph Van Ee, Bela Lugosi hams it up deliciously as the sinister Professor Leonide, Nat Pendleton is a complete riot as bumbling, but earnest lug ex-cop turned bodyguard Bill Raymond, Rolad Varno contributes a lively turn as wisecracking reporter Terry Lee, and both Joyce Compton as sweet dingbat Jane Cornell and Gladys Blake as sassy maid Lillybeth bring considerable flair to their roles. Moreover, the ubiquitous Angelo Rossitto even pops up as Leonide's ill-tempered dwarf companion Indigo. Marcel Le Picard's color cinematography makes cheesy use of gradual dissolves. Carl Hoefle's cornball score does the shuddery trick. The tight 68 minute running time ensures that this picture never gets dull or overstays its welcome. Granted, this film is extremely silly and contrived, but it's so cheerfully absurd that one can't help but enjoy it for its rampant inanity alone. An absolute hoot.
Review of Scared to Death
