Phantom of the Rue Morgue

Released Mar 19, 1954

1h 24m

Horror

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Reviews

27%

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Audience Score

An insane zoologist uses his trained ape to commit a series of grisly murders in turn-of-the-century Paris.

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Audience Member

I like it but I get that it's far from perfect. Karl Malden as the insane zoologist is weird but intense. The Zachinni Brothers acrobatic stunts are cool. The murder of an Artist model in a Skylit garret Is pretty intense, a bit funny but unsettling. Maybe a 3D showing will garner more fans. 1954.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

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dave s

Back when Phantom of the Rue Morgue was released in 1954, it was probably quite the thrill to sit in the theatre with the 3D glasses on and marvel at the new technology as the balloons floated by and the trapeze artists seemingly swung into the audience. Sadly, time hasn't been kind to the movie and, despite the nice mood lighting, cool sets, and effective music score, the whole thing is a bit of a slog. There's nothing inherently horrible about it (other than Karl Malden's weird rant towards the end), but it fails to generate any real suspense or present any characters that are worth investing any emotions in.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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ashley h

Phantom of the Rue Morgue is a decent film. It is about several women who are murdered and the police are baffled who the suspect is. Karl Malden and Claude Dauphin give good performances. The screenplay is a little slow in places. Roy Del Ruth did an alright job directing this movie. I liked this motion picture because of the mystery.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

Rather plain period horror film about zoologist Karl Malden using his pet gorilla go carry out his murders in 1870s Paris. It's a pretty corny film, but it's never really that boring and Malden's hammy performance is kind of fun.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Although House of Wax is considered the key 3D film of the 1950's this film Phantom of the Rue Morgue was also incredibly successful in its use of 3D. The story is of an unknown serial killer in France with many on his tail but he always seems one step ahead. This is a story with holes but it's entertaining & there is so innovative camera work & it would great to see the film in its original analog 3D.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

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Audience Member

Not my cup of tea. I've never read the book by Edgar Allan Poe, so it might be better.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

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Roy Del Ruth

Director

Karl Malden

Dr. Marais

Claude Dauphin

Insp. Bonnard

Patricia Medina

Jeanette

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Karl Malden has the Lugosi mad scientist part in this film and that's not a role he can handle.

Rated: C+

Apr 7, 2021

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 3/5

Jun 26, 2005

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Ken Hanke

Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

So-so reworking of the Poe story that may have worked better in 3-D.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 9, 2004

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Synopsis

An insane zoologist uses his trained ape to commit a series of grisly murders in turn-of-the-century Paris.

Director: Roy Del Ruth
Production Co: Warner Bros.
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 19, 1954, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2009
Runtime: 1h 24m

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