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The Human Monster

Play trailer Poster for The Human Monster 1939 1h 13m Horror Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 4 Reviews 38% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
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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The Human Monster

Critics Reviews

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Matt Brunson Film Frenzy 11/02/2019
2.5/4
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. Go to Full Review MFB Critics Monthly Film Bulletin 01/31/2018
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. Go to Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews 02/14/2016
B-
Engrossing fast-paced black and white Gothic horror thriller. Go to Full Review Ken Hanke Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) 04/10/2012
4/5
Lugosi is in fine form as the "brilliant, but unbalanced" Orloff and seems to be enjoying every last drop of his incredible perfidy. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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06/14/2021 Very atmospheric and creepy, fun old movie to watch at night See more 03/15/2018 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. See more 07/28/2014 Rather talky thriller features Bela Lugosi and a hulking blind monster. See more 10/20/2012 Enjoyable Lugosi flick--Creepy little chiller!! See more 03/11/2012 Decent horror flick with some nice bits and overall a good story. Bela Lugosi was good and there were some ok characters. A few scenes were slow but it wasn't too bad. See more don s @RT97868663 12/26/2011 Banal story with no twists and no drama or suspense. Lugosi is merely acceptable. The "reveal" was easy to guess and the ending was just as you'd expect. Not worth your time. See more Read all reviews
The Human Monster

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Cast & Crew

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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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The Human Monster

The Human Monster (1939) The Human Monster (1939) The Human Monster (1939) View more photos

Movie Info

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
Producer
John Argyle
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