Horror 2024 Countdown: M (1935)

 M (1935), dir. Fritz Lang, Nero-Film, A.G.

Now we move into our special section. We've looked back at the films of Lugosi, Karloff, Chaney Jr., and Carradine. This year we'll focus on the films of Peter Lorre and his role in the first talkie film from Fritz Lang.

The city is gripped with fear. A rash of child killings have been happening and the police are clueless. This suits Hans Beckert (Lorre) just fine, as he's the one doing the killings. He picks up his latest victim, even buying her a balloon animal from a blind vendor. He whistles "In the Halls of the Mountain King" while he does it (both the buying and the murdering). 

Inspector Lohmann (Otto Wernicke) is at his wits end. The police are flooded with tips and sightings but all of them are useless. In desperation, he orders the police to declare war on all crime. Every speakeasy, gambling parlor, and place of ill repute are raided almost daily. This does nothing to stop Hans, but Schraenker (Gustaf Grundgens) is most put out, what with him being the local crime boss and all.

Schraenker calls a general truce across the city. All bosses convene and a plan is formed. While the cops are limited in their manpower, they have a figurative army of bums and beggars patrolling every inch of the city. In short order, Hans is captured and dragged before a court.

A court of his victim's parents and every criminal in town, but they are fair. They'll give him a first defense before they kill him. Can the police rescue Hans in time?

Decent but when it is slow, man is it slow; but when it works? Chilling. Easy to see where Lorre became the go to boogeyman. Hans is pitiable but he is also a monster.