The Mummy’s Hand Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Broke archaeologists find a cursed tomb guarded by a mummy who really, *really* needs his daily dose of special tea leaves to keep doing murder for a high priest who’s slightly too obsessed with an ancient princess.

🍿 The Mummy’s Hand: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Discovery in Cairo

Two down-on-their-luck archaeologists, Steve Banning and his wisecracking partner Babe Jenson, are scraping by in Cairo. Their fortunes change when they acquire an ancient vase containing hieroglyphics that hint at the location of the long-lost tomb of Princess Ananka. This discovery sparks hope for a major expedition that could bring them fame and wealth.

Funding the Expedition and Ancient Secrets

Seeking financial backing, Steve and Babe approach a wealthy American stage magician, Solvani the Great, and his skeptical but adventurous daughter, Marta. They agree to fund the expedition into the desert. Unbeknownst to them, the tomb is protected by a secret cult and their high priest, Andoheb, who commands the living mummy, Kharis, buried with Ananka to guard her resting place. Kharis is maintained by a special fluid derived from tana leaves, a secret passed down through generations of priests.

The Quest for Ananka’s Tomb

The expedition team, including a respected archaeologist, Dr. Petrie, sets out into the desolate Hills of the Seven Jackals. Their search is fraught with danger, not only from the challenging environment but also from the unseen forces working against them. Andoheb plots to sabotage their efforts and eliminate anyone who dares approach the sacred tomb, unleashing the terrifying power of the reanimated Kharis.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Steve Banning (Dick Foran): An out-of-work archaeologist and the adventurous hero seeking the tomb of Princess Ananka.
• Babe Jenson (Wallace Ford): Steve’s comical and wise-cracking partner on the archaeological expedition.
• Marta Solvani (Peggy Moran): The beautiful and initially skeptical daughter of the expedition’s backer, who becomes involved in the adventure.
• Andoheb (George Zucco): The sinister high priest of Karnak who controls the mummy Kharis and attempts to thwart the explorers.
• The Mummy (Tom Tyler): The ancient mummified priest Kharis, resurrected by the high priest to protect Princess Ananka’s tomb and kill intruders.
• Mr. Solvani (Cecil Kellaway): An eccentric stage magician known as ‘The Great Solvani’ who provides the necessary funding for the expedition.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• High Priest: “Who shall defile the temples of the ancient gods, a cruel and violent death shall be his fate.” – Spoken during the opening ceremony, establishing the ancient curse and warning against disturbing sacred sites.
• High Priest: “You hear? Children of the night. They howl above the Hill of the Seven Jackals when Kharis must be fed.” – The dying High Priest explains the connection between the jackals and the need to give Kharis his life-sustaining Tana leaf brew.
• Andoheb: “With three leaves of Tana, his heart will feebly pulsate… With nine leaves, he will have power and movement!” – Andoheb explains the formula for controlling Kharis’s animation level using the sacred Tana leaves.
• Babe Jenson: “Hey Steve, can a dame go crazy from being sawed in half too many times?” – Babe makes a wise-crack about Marta, the magician’s daughter, during a moment of comedic relief.

💰Box Office

• Budget: Unknown
• Domestic Gross: Unknown
• Worldwide Gross: Unknown

💥 The Mummy’s Hand Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into ‘The Mummy’s Hand’ expecting classic Universal horror, and it definitely delivered… but also threw in a lot more laughs than I anticipated! The opening felt a bit slow, basically a history lesson, but once Steve and Babe showed up, the energy picked up significantly. I gotta admit, Wallace Ford’s wisecracks as Babe were hit or miss for me, but sometimes they were genuinely funny, providing a welcome contrast to the spooky stuff. George Zucco as the high priest was amazing; his intensity really carried the villain role, and those mummy scenes with Tom Tyler were surprisingly creepy, especially the close-ups of his face with the dark eyes – they really got under my skin! I wasn’t totally sold on the blend of comedy and horror at first, but by the end, I found myself really enjoying the ride. It’s not as deep or atmospheric as the Karloff original, but it’s got a fun, adventurous spirit and some memorable moments. Totally worth watching if you like old-school monster movies with a side of pulp adventure!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic Universal Monsters movies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy B-movies from the 1940s”
  • “Those looking for a mix of horror, adventure, and light comedy”
  • “Fans of early cinematic special effects”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild horror violence (strangling, attacks)”
  • “Depictions of ancient curses and death”

Professional Reviews

• Synthesis of provided reviews: “Forget the atmospheric original, ‘The Mummy’s Hand’ leans into adventure and laughs, making it a surprisingly fun, fast-paced B-movie. George Zucco shines as the sinister high priest, and Tom Tyler’s mummy, while less nuanced than Karloff’s, is genuinely unnerving thanks to those blacked-out eyes. While some comedy misses the mark, it rarely overshadows the pulp thrills. A solid start to the Kharis saga, even if its sequels didn’t live up to its energy.
• Synthesis of provided reviews: “This Universal offering shifts gears from the ’32 film, embracing a more action-adventure tone with generous helpings of comedy. Dick Foran and Wallace Ford have decent chemistry as the treasure-seeking duo, while Cecil Kellaway adds delightful charm. George Zucco steals the show with his memorable villain. The lore of the tana leaves is introduced effectively. Despite being visually less polished than its predecessor and featuring a mummy who mostly just shuffles, it’s an enjoyable, if somewhat flawed, programmer.

Audience Reactions

George Zucco’s performance as the sinister high priest is a definite fan favorite.: Many viewers enjoyed the blend of adventure, light comedy, and horror, finding it a fun and entertaining B-movie entry. Tom Tyler’s look as Kharis, particularly the blacked-out eyes, was also frequently mentioned as effectively creepy.

Overall Consensus: Generally well-regarded as the best of the ‘Kharis’ Mummy films, offering an enjoyable mix of adventure, humor, and horror, albeit less atmospheric than the original 1932 movie. George Zucco’s villainous turn and Tom Tyler’s depiction of the mummy are highlights.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “To enhance the mummy’s frightening appearance in close-ups, Tom Tyler’s eyes and the inside of his mouth were blacked out frame-by-frame using optical effects.”
• “The film heavily reused sets and stock footage from other Universal productions, including sequences from the original 1932 ‘The Mummy’ for the opening historical flashback, and sets from ‘The Green Hell’ (1940).”
• “This movie marked the debut of the Mummy Kharis and established the lore of the Tana leaves as the source of his animated life and power, a concept carried through the subsequent Universal Mummy films.”
• “Tom Tyler, primarily known as a cowboy actor, took on the role of Kharis and was noted for his physical portrayal despite the limitations of the mummy costume.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Mummy’s Hand?

As a classic Universal Monsters film, ‘The Mummy’s Hand’ (1940) is often available for streaming on platforms that feature classic cinema collections. Look for it on services like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu, where it is typically available for rent or purchase. It is also frequently included in DVD and Blu-ray box sets of the Universal Mummy series or classic horror collections, offering a physical media option for fans.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Mummy’s Hand, you might like these similar films:

• The Mummy (1932): The foundational film in Universal’s original Mummy series, establishing the core concepts of a resurrected ancient Egyptian pursuing forbidden goals, though with a different mummy and tone.
• The Mummy’s Tomb (1942): The first direct sequel featuring the Kharis character and continuing the Tana leaf lore established in ‘The Mummy’s Hand’, although shifting the setting and tone.
• Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981): Shares the blend of archaeology, adventure, ancient curses, and pulp serial influences, albeit on a much larger scale and with a modern action sensibility.
• The Wolf Man (1941): Another iconic Universal monster film from the same era, establishing enduring monster lore through atmosphere and tragedy, representative of Universal’s 1940s horror output.
• The Mummy (1999): A modern reboot that, like ‘The Mummy’s Hand’, leans heavily into adventure and comedic elements alongside horror, significantly influencing the public perception of the Mummy character for a new generation.
• Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy (1955): Directly features the Kharis mummy and fully embraces the blend of monster horror and slapstick comedy that ‘The Mummy’s Hand’ only began to explore, appealing to fans of the lighter side of Universal Monsters.

🛒 The Mummy’s Hand Related Products

• Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection [Blu-ray]: Experience the foundational films of horror cinema. This collection includes iconic Universal monster movies in high definition, perfect for completists.
• The Mummy’s Hand (1940) Movie Poster Reprint 11×17: A vibrant reproduction of the original theatrical poster artwork, capturing the classic horror and adventure feel of the film.
• Funko Pop! Movies: The Mummy (Universal Monsters): A stylized vinyl figure depicting the iconic bandaged monster from the Universal classic films, perfect for display.
• Universal Horrors: The Studio’s Classic Monsters, 1928-1946 (Book): An in-depth, authoritative guide exploring the history, production, and impact of Universal’s Golden Age of horror films, featuring detailed chapters on each movie.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Mummy’s Hand features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Original Motion Picture Score” – performed by Universal Studio Orchestra

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Opening Logos – The Mummy (franchise)

Ever wondered how the Mummy franchise started visually? Check out this compilation of opening logos across *all* the films, including the one you just watched! It’s pretty cool to see how they evolved over time.

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Curious how the classic 1932 Mummy film influenced later versions and where this movie fits in? This mini-doc delves into the franchise’s legacy, offering some really interesting insights into its evolution.

The Mummy – You Think You Know Movies?

Think you know everything about the classic Universal Mummy? Put your knowledge to the test with this fun trivia and analysis video. I bet you’ll learn a few new things about the creature and these movies!

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