Tonight's movie was "Condemned To Live"(1935), a nice little vampire chiller presented as a whodunit. The story begins in flashback : two men and a woman are hiding in Bronson Cave in Africa. This is the earliest use of the cave we've seen, which is pretty cool. The woman is about to give birth. One of the men is her husband, the other a doctor. The three are on safari, but the natives have turned against them. They won't enter the cave, however. "They're superstitious of the bats", says the doctor. Vampire bats, to be precise.
As the woman enters labor, a bat swoops down and bites her on the neck. She dies, but her son is born.
Cut to a European village years later. The son, "Paul Kristan" (Ralph Morgan) is now a beloved professor who presides over the town with goodwill. He devotes his life to helping the poor, so much so that he has worn himself out. His housekeeper begs him to rest, but he doggedly continues, feeling it his duty as an educated man of privilege. "Marguerite", the daughter of a local doctor, idolises the Professor. She sees in him everything that is good. Despite their age difference, she has agreed to marry him.
At this time, two murders have taken place, both involving savage violence in which the victim's throats were torn out. The townsfolk, adhering to local legend, believe that "a bat" is responsible. Some of the men argue in a pub. "But how could it be a bat? The bodies were carried away"! "Indeed they were. Must be a very large bat, then".
To quell the superstition, Professor Kristan calls for an assembly in the town square. "My friends! While I am as alarmed as you are by these crimes, let us think with clear heads. There are no monsters in the real world. Fiends, yes, but not imaginary creatures. 'Tis a man who is doing these things, not a bat, but we can protect ourselves. I ask you all to go home now and turn on your lamps. Leave them on all night, for the fiend operates in darkness. He's afraid of the light! So light your homes and be safe. And pray"!
The villagers are grateful for the Professor's wisdom. They do as he says and the night passes without incident. But when the Moon is new, another murder occurs. Again the victim's throat is torn out, and rumors of a vampire spread once more. Now a young man enters the picture. He is "David", a handsome chap who is in love with Marguerite. They've known one another since childhood, and in truth the feeling is mutual. He wants her to admit it. "You can't marry Professor Kristan, my darling, because you aren't in love with him. You may admire him, but there's a difference! Come away with me. We shall wed and leave this town. I want you to be safe from the murderer".
"But I do feel safe", she replies. "No evil can befall me when I'm with with the Professor. He has the answers to put an end to the crimes, and besides, you're wrong - I do love him. I'm sorry David. I am fond of you, and if things were different I'd become your wife, but that can never be. I must remain with the Professor and work with him side-by-side".
David has a theory, which he spells out to Marguerite in an attempt to change her mind. "My dear, have you noticed something? All three murders have taken place close to the Professor's house"!
She's shocked by the insinuation. "What of it? Are you saying, David, that Professor Kristan is a murderer, and worse! - a savage fiend"?
"Not necessarily", he states. "But have you also noticed that it was his assistant Zan who found every one of the bodies"? Poor Zan (the great early character actor Mischa Auer) is a lowly hunchback, looked down upon by the populace. If it weren't for his servitude to Professor Kristan, he'd have likely been run out of town years ago. But in reality he's a noble soul. If Marguarite admires the Professor, Zan worships him and is thoroughly devoted to his master in every way.
Now David is suggesting to Marguerite that Zan might be the murderer. "It just can't be", she insists. "You're accusing him simply because he's unsightly. I know him to be gentle and a man of honor". But David won't back down. "I'm only trying to protect you, Marguerite".
At this point in the story, we the audience have our own suspicions about the fiend's identity. One day, an old friend of the Professor's arrives in town, "Dr. Anders Bizet" (Pedro de Cordoba). Professor Kristal is grateful to see him, because he has a theory and wants a medical opinion. "Anders, is it possible that The Fiend - as everyone is calling him - could be suffering from an illness of the mind"?
"I would say it's a definite possibility", replies Bizet.
"What then if he were to be found, before another killing takes place? Could he be treated, and even cured? If it was proven he'd been ill, there'd be no need for punishment. We could set a new standard in the courts, by helping a man instead of sending him to the gallows".
Dr. Bizet smiles. "Ahh, my old friend......you haven't changed a bit. Always looking for the good in every situation. And I admire your stance, but with a man this deranged, there is no telling if he could be helped to any degree, let alone cured. In any case, the townsfolk might not stand for it".
In town, David's accusations against Zan have caused an outcry. The villagers gather at the Professor's doorstep with torches lit, demanding he release the hunchback to their custody. "I won't do it, my friends! Don't you see? You're acting as a mob. Where is your evidence against my servant"?
Then Zan stuns everyone by admitting guilt. He steps into the doorway. "They are right, my master. The Fiend is I"! But instead of allowing himself to be taken, he runs from the mob, back into Bronson Cave, (this time located in Europe) where he hides in the recesses. David, leading the vigilante charge, asks Dr. Bizet and the Professor to stay and watch Marguerite until Zan is dealt with. "We'll catch him and this will soon be over", he promises.
But will it? While they wait, one by one the candles are blown out in the Professor's living room, leaving the trio in total darkness. Marguerite screams, and............
That's all I can tell you.
Did Zan somehow escape the cave and return to the house? Or is someone else responsible? And if so, is that person a vampire? We may already know the answers. You, however, will need to find out for yourself, which I highly suggest you do. Though presented in the "stagey" acting and directing styles of the early sound era, "Condemned To Live" is very well done. The script is articulate, and proposes a different way of looking at a vampire - as victim of an illness. The Professor wants goodness to prevail at all costs, and the consequences of his desire are explored when mob justice results. It's an intelligent story with many complexities. I'm gonna give "Condemned To Live" Two Big Thumbs Up, with one caveat, that the print is degraded. This is a film that begs for restoration, but watch it anyway. It's a good one! //////
That's all for the moment. I am still off work and enjoying my daily hikes. Today, I may try the De Campos Trail, which goes to the top of Mission Point. But don't hold me to it! I haven't done that hike in two years, and you've gotta be in top shape. Maybe I'll try it out and either go part way, or keep going if I feel I can do so. See ya there!
And tonight at the Usual Time.
Tons of love! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo :):)
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