Bela Lugosi Remade the Same Horror Movie Just 7 Years Later – But Why Was It So Different?

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In the Golden Age of Hollywood’s horror film scene, Bela Lugosi was a prominent figure, gracing the screen not once but twice in the same movie during the initial two decades of “talkie” films. While many recognize him for his chilling portrayal of Dracula in Universal Horror’s inaugural monster movie, he also starred as Ygor in “Son of Frankenstein” and even donned the role of the monster himself in “Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man”. Yet, his horror repertoire extended beyond these iconic roles.

He was particularly known for his roles in films such as “White Zombie” and “Black Friday,” along with three adaptations of Edgar Allan Poe’s works – “Murders in the Rue Morgue,” “The Black Cat,” and “The Raven.” These movies continue to be cherished by classic horror enthusiasts, with “White Zombie” and “The Black Cat” often regarded as the standouts. What makes “The Black Cat” particularly intriguing is that seven years after Lugosi starred in a Poe adaptation, he appeared in another version of the film, but it did not fare as well as his earlier performance.

Bela Lugosi Starred In The Black Cat In Both 1934 & 1941

The Horror Icon Starred In Very Different Versions Of The Edgar Allan Poe Story

The short story “The Black Cat,” written by Edgar Allan Poe in 1843, tells a chilling tale about a man with an alcohol problem who mistreats his pets. One of the cats bites him, and in retaliation, he removes its eye and hangs it up. Tragically, his house catches fire, and later, he encounters another black cat that looks remarkably like the one he had before. When his wife tries to prevent him from killing this new cat, he ends her life instead. He buries her in the cellar wall. Eventually, the police discover her body, thanks to the suspicious black cat, leading to the man’s downfall.

In 1934, Universal Studios produced a film titled “The Black Cat,” but this adaptation bore little resemblance to the original story, serving only as an inspiration. In this early version of the movie, both Lugosi and Karloff were cast. Lugosi played the lead role, despite his character’s involvement in one of the most shocking scenes at the end. Interestingly, Lugosi portrayed a soldier who had been released from a World War I prisoner-of-war camp and sought retribution against the individual responsible for imprisoning him – in this case, Karloff.

In a bus collision, Dr. Vitus Werdegast (played by Lugosi) encounters two newlywed American tourists. Due to the accident, they seek refuge in Poelzig’s mansion, which is owned by Karloff. As time passes, Werdegast discovers that Poelzig has committed despicable acts. In this horror film before the Hays Code, Werdegast takes brutal revenge on Poelzig, engaging in appalling atrocities against him. Despite being a horror classic, Lugosi consented to retell the same tale seven years later.

Movie Rotten Tomatoes Score Rotten Tomatoes Audience IMDb
The Black Cat (1934) 89% 69% 6.9/10
The Black Cat (1941) 50% 35% 6.1/10

Unlike the 1934 version, which was not a horror comedy, the 1941 film was a blend of horror and comedy with no resemblance to its predecessor. In contrast, Bela Lugosi and Basil Rathbone starred in this version. This adaptation deviated significantly from Edgar Allan Poe’s story and the 1934 film. In this rendition, a wealthy woman is killed, and her family gathers for the will reading; one of them turns out to be the killer. Lugosi’s role in this film was relatively minor compared to his significant part in the first movie, where he played a mysterious servant.

Why Bela Lugosi’s Original Version Of The Black Cat Is The Best

The First Version Has Bela Lugosi At His Best

As a die-hard film enthusiast, I can’t fathom why Universal Studios decided to produce a sequel to “The Black Cat” after the resounding success of the initial film. The most significant flaw in this second installment lies in the underutilization of screen legends Bela Lugosi and Basil Rathbone. Known for their chilling roles, they were unfortunately relegated to minor parts, contributing little to the plot and appearing even less frequently. Instead, the comedy actors Hugh Herbert, Broderick Crawford, and Anne Gwynne seemed to dominate the screen, spending the entire movie in a state of fear, bewilderment, or exchanging suspicious glances.

In comparison, the 1934 film “Black Cat” stood out as an exceptional horror production, aligning effectively with many non-Universal Monster horror films from the 1930s. Boris Karloff exuded charm in his portrayal of a mad scientist leading a Satanist cult, which was a refreshing departure from his more subdued role as Frankenstein’s Monster. Although Lugosi played a heroic character, his vengeful demeanor at the end didn’t quite convey heroism, due to the Hays Code not yet being enforced. Despite the forgettable comedy spin-off, the initial Bela Lugosi rendition of “The Black Cat” is a minor work of art.

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2025-06-02 21:27