Synopsis
Since I have a couple of novels coming out with Carole Lombard-inspired characters, I thought I would see if she had any spooky movies that would fit with my 4th Annual Spooky Classic Movie Blogathon. I was pleasantly surprised that she had done one horror film. Given that Carole was the screwball comedy queen, I didn’t have high hopes about finding one of her films to fit into this Halloween-themed blogathon, but Supernatural from 1933 fits the bill!
When I started the film, I thought the plot must move quickly because it is only 64 minutes long. I was wrong. The ghost possession piece of the film is only about the last 15 minutes or so. I wondered how much damage a ghost could really do in so little time. Well, let’s find out..
Grab it here on DVD or Bluray! If you choose to buy this film, I may earn a commission as an Amazon affiliate.
Synopsis
We’re thrown in immediately with the story of Ruth Rogan, a woman sentenced to be executed after strangling and killing three of her lovers. A doctor comes to visit her in prison about donating her body to science because he has a theory about people who go crazy suddenly that they’re really possessed by the ghost of someone evil.
You can tell where this is going, right? It’s not going to end well.
Then, we flip over to Roma, played by Carole Lombard, who has just lost her brother and arrives back at home after his funeral. Her boyfriend Grant, played by Randolph Scott, accompanies her. Roma has a fit of grief when playing one of her brother’s records and watching the dog take out her brother’s shoes. She’s prayed upon the (fake) spiritualist Paul, played by Alan Dinehart.
In her desperation to talk to brother again based on the cold call letter from Paul, she agrees, bringing along Grant for the ride. Just before they arrive, we see him making a replica of her brother’s face to aid in his charade. He also murders the nosey neighbor, so we know he’s bad news. It also comes out that he was mixed up with Ruth.
To try to understand further, Roma has a secondary seance with additional friends, but Paul accidentally calls forth Ruth, who the crazy doctor was experimenting with and she takes over Roma’s body to enact her revenge against Paul.
The Players
Carole Lombard as Roma
Carole is endearing as the grieving sister trying to make contact with her brother, but her true magic comes out in those last 15 minutes of the film when she is transformed into Ruth with murderous intents.
Carole Lombard as Ruth
When she flips into the persona of the murderer, Carole really shines. I was confused once it finally happened because I expected it to last a lot longer than it did. I wondered what damage the spirit could really do with only 15 minutes left of the film.The answer was, not much, but she did complete her goal.
The true enjoyment comes from watching Carole’s transformation. The way her facial expressions shift to something more sinister is a testiment to her talent. She was by far the best thing about this film..and those last few minutes make the journey worth it.
Vivienne Osborne as Ruth
Although Vivienne isn’t in the film that much, her portrayal at the beginning of the strangler Ruth is chilling. In just her few minutes on screen, she shows us a deranged and dangerous woman. I think she is really why I expected more danger once Roma finally does get possessed.
The Three Men…
Randolph Scott
This was my first experience with Randolph as he was primarily a Western star, and musicals, dramas, and comedies are more my jam. After this though, I am curious to check out some more of his work. His part wasn’t that big, no one’s was really given the length of the film, but I did find him interesting in his short screen time. He was the voice of reason when Roma was confused about the legitimacy of this fake spiritualist. He was also the one that rushed to her rescue in the end, but it did look like Ruth just left of her own accord to take out her betrayer.
Alan Dinehart
Ugh, I’m sorry, Alan, but your character was just so icky. I know he was supposed to be, but he was hard to watch. He was a murderer and then the way he was with Roma while she was possessed.. gross. I know it was pre-code, but the way he rested his hand on her boob while they were making out made me SO uncomfortable for both the character (who had no say since she was possessed) and Carole.
I’m not sure if the grope was scripted or not, but the cut made it obvious that the characters had sex, which is also pretty gross. I know they didn’t have to adhere to the protocol that came later, and I’m enjoying exploring more pre-code films, but this scene just irked me.
H.B. Warner
Hello, Mr. Gower! H.B. instead played a creepy doctor here, but his part was pretty minimal except for the shock value of his scene with reanimating a corpse.
Background Trivia
Honestly, there isn’t a ton of trivia out there (or even articles) about this film, so this section that I usually have a ton of fun with is pretty moot. I think it’s worth the watch for the last 15 minutes alone to see how Carole flips that switch into derranged killer. I still prefer her comedic performances, but this is interesting to see as well and really shows what range she does have as an actress.
That and the creepy scene of the doctor reanimating Ruth’s body make this worth it. That scene is super unnerving and makes it look like the dead woman is looking directly at them. It is enough to give you the creeps for sure! But that’s really the only scene that does.
Alternative History/Classic Film Era Novels
If you like alternative history or biographical/historical fiction, I write that as well under the pen name Dottie Fray and historical paranormal romance under Elvira Fray. With two books planned for next year, one biographical fiction entitled Planes and Promises and a paranormal romance to follow up Fang Me Tender called No Angel of His Own (official cover coming).
Grab it here on DVD or Bluray! If you choose to buy this film, I may earn a commission as an Amazon affiliate.
This is part of my 4th Annual Spooky Classic Movie Blogathon. Check out all of the entries here!