The Great Universal Mystery

{ "title": "The Great Universal Mystery", "overview": "This forgotten piece of studio promotional filler from Universal Pictures gives carefully-staged screen tests showcasing the versatile talents of seven contract players from different countries. The format allows viewers to compare characters and solutions employed by the actors in two scenarios, each inspired by classic Universal horror films: The renowned Hollywood legend Lon Chaney, Sr. gives a whimsical and tragic interpretation of a character obviously made famous by his son, Lon Chaney, Jr., in The Wolf Man. After this, filmgoers travel to Egypt, where Harry Earles, a character actor who has previously portrayed both heroes and heavies, addresses a spurned goddess in the manner of Boris Karloff. Next stop is pre-World War I France, where newcomer Gale Sondergaard impersonates a ghost in a story reminiscent of the Bride of Frankenstein. Lionel Atwill portrays a cruel husband desperate to rid himself of his beautiful young wife (Florence Rice) in a scenario reminiscent of The Old Dark House. Thereafter, audiences are transported back in time to Revolutionary War-era America to watch Gloria Stuart's portrayal of a witch who has fallen in love with a hanged criminal. Next, horror movie fans are treated to Zita Johann's interpretation of a woman pursued by her conscience, as her drowned daughter, portrayed by Lotus Long, emerges from a lake. Lastly, audiences return to Hollywood, where Erich Von Stroheim plays a director attempting to convince a truculent leading lady (Helen Mack) to complete a film, after which the cast and crew members assembled to make this film hail the efforts of the respective actors whose work is featured.", "Poster": "", "Rating": "5.3/10"