Murders in the Rue Morgue Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Bela Lugosi tries to find the perfect date for his lonely gorilla using a novel dating app involving ape blood and unwilling participants, all while a med student tries to stop him from ruining prom night.

🍿 Murders in the Rue Morgue: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Carnival and Mirakle’s Theories

In 1845 Paris, medical student Pierre Dupin and his fiancée Camille visit a carnival. They encounter Dr. Mirakle, a showman who displays an ape named Erik and promotes his controversial theories about the kinship between humans and apes. Mirakle believes that the ape’s blood can be mixed with human blood, a theory met with skepticism and ridicule.

The Murders Begin

A series of murders plague the city, with young women turning up dead. Dupin becomes suspicious of Dr. Mirakle, especially after witnessing Erik’s intense interest in Camille. Mirakle is, in fact, abducting women and experimenting on them in his hidden laboratory, injecting them with ape blood in a desperate attempt to prove his theories.

Camille’s Abduction

Mirakle’s obsession with Camille grows, and he sees her as the perfect subject for his experiments. He orchestrates her abduction, sending Erik to capture her. Dupin, realizing the danger, attempts to enlist the help of the police, but struggles to convince them of Mirakle’s madness and the ape’s involvement.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Doctor Mirakle (Bela Lugosi): A maniacal scientist who abducts women and experiments on them to prove ape-human kinship.
• Mlle. Camille L’Espanaye (Sidney Fox): The young woman and fiancée of Pierre who becomes the target of Doctor Mirakle’s experiments.
• Pierre Dupin (Leon Ames): A medical student and Camille’s fiancé who investigates the murders and attempts to rescue her from Mirakle.
• Janos – The Black One (Noble Johnson): Dr. Mirakle’s mute and imposing assistant who aids in his sinister experiments.
• Erik, the Gorilla (Charles Gemora): Dr. Mirakle’s ape who is used in the experiments and develops an attraction to Camille.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Dr. Mirakle: “Heresy? Do they still burn men for heresy? Then burn me monsieur, light the fire! Do you think your little candle will outshine the flame of truth?” – Dr. Mirakle passionately defends his controversial theories on ape-human kinship, challenging the audience’s skepticism.
• Dr. Mirakle: “A lady…in distress…. Come… with me.” – Dr. Mirakle says this to lure a street woman, just after her ‘lovers’ have a knife fight to the death, to his laboratory for his experiments.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $190,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Murders in the Rue Morgue Reviews

Personal Review

As a huge Bela Lugosi fan, I found ‘Murders in the Rue Morgue’ fascinating, even if it veers wildly from the source material. The sets are pure nightmare fuel, and Lugosi’s performance is delightfully unhinged. I still laugh at the ape costume, but the film’s atmosphere is undeniably effective. I especially enjoyed the scene in the fog and the morgue. A must-see for classic horror enthusiasts.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic horror films”
  • “Bela Lugosi enthusiasts”
  • “Viewers interested in pre-Code cinema”
  • “Those who appreciate German Expressionist aesthetics”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Disturbing themes of scientific experimentation”
  • “Brief scenes of implied torture”
  • “Thematic elements that might be considered exploitative by modern standards”

Professional Reviews

• ClassicHorror.com: “While loosely based on Poe’s story, Lugosi’s performance elevates this pre-code horror. The expressionistic sets and shadowy cinematography create a creepy atmosphere. Some pacing issues and weak supporting cast prevent it from being a classic.
• MonsterMadness.net: “Lugosi is terrific as the maniacal Dr. Mirakle, but the ridiculous ape costume and goofy comic relief detract from the horror. The film’s themes, like the dangers of science, remain relevant despite its flaws.
• SilverScreenScream.com: “Robert Florey creates some hauntingly beautiful scenes that have been visually impressive even today. Great for horror and art-house cinema fans. Lugosi dominates every scene he is in.

Audience Reactions

Bela Lugosi’s over-the-top performance as Dr. Mirakle is both mesmerizing and hilarious.: Viewers praise the film’s unique blend of horror and dark humor.

The expressionistic sets and cinematography create a truly unsettling atmosphere.: Many appreciate the visual style and the film’s resemblance to German Expressionist cinema.

Overall Consensus: While flawed by its low budget and some questionable decisions, ‘Murders in the Rue Morgue’ remains a worthwhile viewing experience for its visual style and Bela Lugosi’s memorable performance.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is loosely based on Edgar Allan Poe’s short story of the same name, but deviates significantly from the source material, focusing more on horror elements than the detective story aspects.”
• “Robert Florey was originally slated to direct ‘Frankenstein’ (1931), but was replaced by James Whale. ‘Murders in the Rue Morgue’ was offered to Florey and Bela Lugosi as compensation.”
• “The filmmakers employed techniques inspired by German Expressionism, particularly ‘The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari’, using distorted sets and dramatic lighting to create a nightmarish atmosphere.”
• “Reportedly, nearly 20 minutes of the film were cut before its release due to concerns about the violence and disturbing themes, particularly those related to the experiments conducted by Dr. Mirakle.”

🖥️ How to Watch Murders in the Rue Morgue?

Currently, ‘Murders in the Rue Morgue’ (1932) can be rented or purchased through platforms like Amazon Prime Video. Check your preferred digital retailers for availability and pricing.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Murders in the Rue Morgue, you might like these similar films:

• The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920): Both films share a strong German Expressionist influence, using distorted sets and dark themes to create a nightmarish atmosphere.
• Island of Lost Souls (1932): Features a mad scientist performing bizarre experiments on animals and humans, similar to Dr. Mirakle’s obsession with ape-human kinship.
• The Phantom of the Opera (1925): Deals with a disfigured and obsessed figure lurking in the shadows of Paris, mirroring Dr. Mirakle’s sinister presence in the city.

🛒 Murders in the Rue Morgue Related Products

• Edgar Allan Poe: Complete Tales and Poems: An Amazon Classics edition featuring all of Poe’s chilling tales and haunting poems, perfect for diving deeper into the source material that inspired ‘Murders in the Rue Morgue’.
• Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection [Blu-ray]: A must-have for any classic horror fan, this Blu-ray collection includes ‘Murders in the Rue Morgue’ along with other iconic Universal monster movies featuring Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff.
• Bela Lugosi: Hollywood’s Dark Prince: A biography delving into the life and career of Bela Lugosi, exploring his iconic roles and the challenges he faced in Hollywood. Explore how the actor become the character.
• Mad Scientist Costume Kit: Transform into the maniacal Dr. Mirakle with this kit, complete with a lab coat, wild wig, and mad scientist accessories. Perfect for Halloween or cosplay.

🎧 Soundtrack

Murders in the Rue Morgue features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Swan Lake Overture” – performed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Why should you read Edgar Allan Poe? – Scott Peeples

Ever wondered what makes Edgar Allan Poe so unforgettable? This TED-Ed talk breaks down his unique writing style and why his stories still resonate today. I found it super helpful in understanding the dark genius behind his work!

The Fall of the House of Usher Episode 3 Breakdown | Recap & Review

If you’re watching “The Fall of the House of Usher,” check out this breakdown of episode 3, “Murder in the Rue Morgue!” It’s got some cool insights and helps unpack all the Poe references. Trust me, it’s worth a watch!

The Tell-Tale Heart – Thug Notes Summary and Analysis

Want a fun, modern take on Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart?” Thug Notes breaks it down in a way that’s both hilarious and insightful. It’s a quick way to get into Poe’s head, even if it’s not *exactly* the same story.

✨ Rate