The Mummy (1932)
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An ancient Egyptian mummy is accidentally resurrected and seeks to reclaim his lost love in the modern world.
The story
In 1921, an archaeological expedition led by Sir Joseph Whemple unearths the mummy of an ancient Egyptian high priest named Imhotep. After a member of the team reads a forbidden scroll, the mummy is brought back to life. Ten years later, the mummy has integrated into modern society under the guise of an eccentric historian named Ardath Bey. He begins a search for the reincarnation of his former lover, Princess Ankh-es-en-Amon. When he discovers a woman named Helen Grosvenor who resembles the princess, he begins a dangerous plot to reclaim his past and reclaim his immortality.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1921, an archaeological expedition led by Sir Joseph Whemple unearths the mummy of the high priest Imhotep. When his assistant, Ralph Norton, reads the 'Scroll of Thoth' aloud, Imhotep is resurrected. A decade later, Imhotep lives as Ardath Bey, an eccentric historian. He identifies Helen Grosvenor as the reincarnation of his lover, Princess Ankh--es-en-Amon. He uses his magic to manipulate those around him, eventually attempting to mummify and resurrect Helen to become his immortal bride. During a final confrontation, Helen, possessed by the princess's spirit, calls upon the goddess Isis. A flash of light sets the Scroll of Thoth ablaze, destroying Imhotep's immortality and causing his body to turn to dust, while the princess's spirit leaves Helen's body.
- First release year
- 1932
- Runtime (minutes)
- 73
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Karl Freund
- Writers
- John L. Balderston · screenplay; Nina Wilcox Putnam · story; Richard Schayer · story
- Cast and characters
- Boris Karloff · Ardath Bey / Imhotep / The Mummy; Zita Johann · Helen Grosvenor; David Manners · Frank Whemple; Arthur Byron · Sir Joseph Whemple; Edward Van Sloan · Dr. Muller; Bramwell Fletcher · Ralph Norton; Noble Johnson · The Nubian; Kathryn Byron · Frau Muller; Leonard Mudie · Professor Pearson; James Crane · The Pharaoh; Henry Victor · The Saxon Warrior
- Genres
- supernatural horror; science fiction horror
- Themes
- reincarnation; sacrilege; colonialism
- Tone and mood
- horror; supernatural
- Premise and plot tags
- archaeology; curse; mummy
- Source material / true-story basis
- A treatment titled Cagliostro and the short story 'The Ring of Thoth' by Arthur Conan Doyle.
- Franchise connections
- Universal Monsters
- Reception
- The film was a commercial and critical success, becoming culturally influential and establishing the mummy archetype in horror. While it was less profitable than Dracula and Frankenstein, it was well-received by modern critics.
- Production trivia
- The character of Imhotep was inspired by a historical architect.; The makeup for the mummy was based on photos of Seti I's mummy.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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