Mad Love (1935), dir. Karl Freund, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
After M, Peter Lorre fled Germany for the safer climes of Hollywood. When a sound remake of the Hands of Orlac was announced, more than a few felt that film cinched this role for Lorre.
Dr. Gogol (Lorre), is one of the best surgeons in Europe. Respected by his peers and held in high esteem by the people, none of this makes the man happy. No, the only joy he feels comes from watching Yvone Orlac (Frances Drake) perform on stage.
He never misses a show. Pity she's married to handsome pianist Stephan Orlac (Colin Clive). Stephan is rushing his way home after a concert but due to circumstance he ends up meeting Rollo the Knife-Thrower (Edward Brophy) as the man is on his date to Madame Guillotine given his habit of throwing knives at people that annoy him.
One train wreck later, Stephan is alive but his hands are crushed. Yvone begs Gogol for help and the doc sees this as his chance. He's a great surgeon but somethings are simply beyond him. He's an idea he's been meaning to try and hey, no time like the present right?
One transplant later, Stephan has a new pair of hands. Not like Rollo needs them any more, right? But something is wrong. It isn't the numbness or phantom pain but rather the disturbingly accurate way Stephan holds and throws knives. He nearly hits his step-father Henry (Ian Wolfe) right between the eyes with a sharp pen.
When Henry is found stabbed to death, well, things look bad for Stephan. Getting a mysterious letter, he goes to meet the sender, a raspy voiced fellow with metal prosthetics for hands and a neck brace. He knows about those hands, he intones, because they used to be his...
So close to being perfect. Lorre steals the show, Drake and Clive do an admirable job as the suffering couple. The only sour note is the reporter character played by former Three Stooges boss Ted Healy. This was a common thing with horror films at the time but all it serves to do is slowdown the tension. Still a great show though and worth the view.
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