The Human Monster

Released Mar 24, 1939

1h 13m

Horror

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Reviews

38%

250+ Ratings

Audience Score

In London, philanthropist Dr. Orloff (Bela Lugosi) volunteers his services at a home for blind men, which serves as a cover for his notorious exploits. On the side, Orloff runs an insurance company that offers loans to desperate, unattached men, whom he convinces to list him as a beneficiary. With the aid of a blind man from the home, Orloff then coldly murders the men to collect the insurance. Although the police begin an investigation, Orloff brazenly continues the brutal killings.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Despite the title, despite the presence of Bela Lugosi, and despite the movie's standing as the first U.K.-produced horror picture to earn the British Film Censors' "H" classification, The Human Monster isn't a horror flick as much as it's a mystery.

Rated: 2.5/4

Nov 2, 2019

Full Review

MFB Critics

Monthly Film Bulletin

Not for the timid or over-sensitive, but well constructed and well acted. Bela Lugosi adds much to the eerie atmosphere, and Hugh Williams as a keen young inspector is comfortably reassuring.

Jan 31, 2018

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Engrossing fast-paced black and white Gothic horror thriller.

Rated: B-

Feb 14, 2016

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Ken Hanke

Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Lugosi is in fine form as the "brilliant, but unbalanced" Orloff and seems to be enjoying every last drop of his incredible perfidy.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 10, 2012

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Audience Member

Very atmospheric and creepy, fun old movie to watch at night

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

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martin a

A great vintage horror sees a failed doctor decides to become an insurance man but kills the men under the guise of drowning and claims the policies. The problem is the detective finds that the men are drowned in clean tap water not dirty river water. The Doctor plays a duel role as a blind man, so when the Doctor is wanted for the murder he just pops into another role. The last murder victim's daughter however working in the home for the blind undercover finds out the truth about her fathers death and soon becomes the potential next victim. A great cast

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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kevin w

Bela Lugosi is properly menacing in this, one feature that uses his ominous talents to decent effect, as a "doctor" who doubles as an insurance agent (?) (never heard of that one before, didja?), killing likely victims for the policy payoffs. His aide in this scam is a big hulking "monster" (just a big, dumb blind guy) that strangles his quarry. Better than a great many of Lugosi's films and worthy of your time.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Written by the man who put King Kong to paper. Fun to watch in context. The snappy dialogue b/w the American and the British detectives makes the unlikely events bearable. Lugosi is always bad in a charming way. He's got a hulking sidekick who does his killing for him. Worst make-up ever. In the end it's just fun.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

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Audience Member

Rather talky thriller features Bela Lugosi and a hulking blind monster.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Enjoyable Lugosi flick--Creepy little chiller!!

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

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Walter Summers

Director

Bela Lugosi

Dr. Feodor Orloff

Hugh Williams

Det. Insp. Larry Holt

Greta Gynt

Diana Stuart

Edmond Ryan

Lieutenant Patrick O'Reilly

Wilfred Walter

Jake

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Synopsis

In London, philanthropist Dr. Orloff (Bela Lugosi) volunteers his services at a home for blind men, which serves as a cover for his notorious exploits. On the side, Orloff runs an insurance company that offers loans to desperate, unattached men, whom he convinces to list him as a beneficiary. With the aid of a blind man from the home, Orloff then coldly murders the men to collect the insurance. Although the police begin an investigation, Orloff brazenly continues the brutal killings.

Director: Walter Summers
Screenwriter: John Argyle, Patrick Kirwan, Walter Summers, Edgar Wallace
Distributor: Monogram Pictures Corporation
Production Co: John Argyle Productions
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 24, 1939, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 22, 2016
Runtime: 1h 13m

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