Dr. Charles Randolph (a fine performance by John Carradine) is so obsessed with reviving the dead that he neglects his wife Elaine (an appealing portrayal by the pretty Claudia Drake), who gets involved with Randolph's assistant Dr. David Cochran (a likable turn by Robert Shayne). Meanwhile, creepy old housekeeper Maria (essayed with fairly sinister menace by Rosa Rey) uses her voodoo powers to make Maria happy. Although hampered by sluggish pacing, an overly talky script by Michael Jacoby, a rather plodding and uneventful narrative, and perfunctory direction by William Beaudine, this film nonetheless manages to remain reasonably watchable and enjoyable thanks to Carradine's surprisingly restrained acting in a rare lead role, a resurrected Great Dane named Brutus who walks through walls, Dr. Randolph being presented as someone who's more driven than mad, and some decent special effects considering both the modest budget and era this movie was made in. However, the spooky atmosphere is minimal at best and there's precious little tension to speak of. In addition, Willie Best is saddled with a degrading racial comic relief role as a pop-eyed cowardly servant. That said, the terse 72 minute running time ensures that this flick doesn't overstay its welcome and it's fun to watch Carradine carry a picture for once. Okay fright fare.

John Carradine appeared in more films than any other actor. Many of them were B-Horrors like this one. But he has such a cool persona, he is able to lift this "been there, done that, return life to the dead" black and white horror film up a notch or two with the help of a largely likable and interesting cast. Carradine plays a doctor whose scientific experiments are bordering on bringing the dead back to life. There is a love triangle mixed into the plot as well as a sinister housekeeper who practices voodoo played to the hilt by wonderful Rosa Rey, who makes a perfectly ominous witch. She is worth the price of admission alone. A great way to spend a little over an hour if you like these kinds of horror movies.

Face of Marble, The (1946) * 1/2 (out of 4) Boring horror film has John Carradine playing a scientist who's so caught up in bringing the dead back to life that he doesn't notice his wife and assistant are getting it on. Carradine is quite mute in this outing, which is a shame and the story is boring and by the numbers. It really would have been a lot better had Carradine gone over the top and brought some life to the film. There's really no life or energy in this film, which is why the viewing will wish he'd turn into marble. This Monogram film hasn't yet turned up on DVD but you can find it at various online stores.

I saw this flick in 1946 as a 12-year-old, and found it pretty scary. Darkly black-and-white (most films were black and white then). What I remember most was that the faces of the dead revived didn't look like marble at all. Scared but disappointed. John W. Hall