Leofwine_draca The classic story of The Hands of Orlac is 'grafted' (sorry) on to this tale of doomed love and romance. Essentially a showcase for Peter Lorre's creepy talents, it's clear that without Lorre's presence this would be a much less interesting film. Every moment he's on screen, Lorre dominates the proceedings, and his physical image - bug eyes, bald head - has never been better than in this. He's creepy, disturbing and also strangely tragic, like a lost puppy.This is very much a product of the '30s, and has the same highlights and low points as many other films of the time. On the plus side, the film is visually arresting, with crisp black and white photography adding plenty of atmosphere to the sets and scenery, highlighting the light and dark areas. The acting is pretty intense all round too; it comes dangerously close to being laughably over the top, yet it works for me. Lorre is excellent as the brilliant yet doomed doctor; Frances Drake is the beautiful object of his affection, and her physical presence was more than enough for me (I didn't really notice her acting abilities). Colin Clive is on hand to lend yet another harrowed performance in the FRANKENSTEIN vein, and it's only Ted Healy who disappoints as a reporter. This leads me on to the film's main flaw; the use of silly comic relief, and there's far too much of it.This unwelcome comedy marred many films of the same period (check out THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN). Oh well, we can only watch and shake our heads and think how much things have moved on since then, I suppose. MAD LOVE does have a number of classy, exciting moments. The most memorable would be when Lorre dresses up in a neck brace and pretends to be the dead killer, returned from the grave (his image here was very influential - check out BODY PARTS). Clive's knife-throwing scenes are tremendously fun, while the fast-paced ending doesn't disappoint either. I really liked Edward Brophy's performance as the murderer Rollo, too - he was hilarious. A minor classic of the genre, this isn't scary but instead acts as a showcase for Lorre's huge talents, while being an entertaining, and quick-moving tale of madness, revenge, murder and...amputation!

Scott LeBrun Screen legend Peter Lorre makes a grand American debut in the starring role of this solid shocker, a rare contribution by MGM to the horror film cycle of the 1930s. He's utterly off his rocker, yet not completely unsympathetic in a story that's just one of many adaptations of "The Hands of Orlac" to be filmed over the years.Colin Clive of "Frankenstein" fame plays Stephen Orlac, a renowned concert pianist whose hands are crushed in a horrible train accident. What's a piano player to do without his hands? Stephens' wife Yvonne (beautiful Frances Drake) approaches eminent surgeon Dr. Gogol (Lorre) to work his magic. Well, what Gogol does is take the hands of a recently executed murderer (Edward Brophy) and attach them to Stephen's arms. Soon Stephens' hands seem to be acting on their own and developing a flair for throwing knives. This is perfect for Gogol, who now sees a way to worm his way into the life of Yvonne, an actress in Grand Guignol productions whom he's lusted after for a long time.Lorre is fantastic in the role of the demented Gogol. He's a delight to watch, especially in one memorable sequence where Gogol, in disguise, is attempting to influence Stephens' fragile mind. Gogol is a pretty twisted guy; not only does he get turned on by the atrocities in Yvonnes' plays, but he's a regular attendee at public executions. The rest of the cast is fine, with Clive in a slightly more restrained performance than the one he gave as Henry Frankenstein. It's nice to see Keye Luke in a small role, but the comedy relief by co-stars Ted Healy (as a stereotypically pushy reporter) and May Beatty (as Gogols' maid) is just too much. Talented cameraman and cinematographer Karl Freund ("The Mummy"), in what was unfortunately his last directorial credit, guides the whole thing with admirable style. Here he does a great job of showing us just why the concept of this story has endured for so long.Any fan of the studio genre pictures from this period is advised to seek out "Mad Love". It's good macabre fun - well paced, well shot, and well edited, and an impressive showcase for a very distinctive actor.Eight out of 10.

GL84 After an accident leaves him with crushed hands, a concert pianist's wife goes to the obsessed doctor in love with her to help him get over the accident, and when he agrees, the serial killer's hands he chooses for the operation have a life of their own after the successful surgery.This was enjoyable for what it was, though it's still quite flawed at times. As was the case most often with these early 30s horror efforts, not a whole lot of time is spent on actual horror, as the love affair showcased isn't all that well thought-out, leaving this one to just completely meander around during the beginning. While this makes his transformation into a psycho all the more credible, the actions don't move the film along into the horror arena. It's also pretty incredulous to believe the complete lack of knowledge gathered into who's hands were used, as the police investigation turns up nothing and the reporter never solves it, but for such an important procedure to take place, the fact that there's hardly anything known about that isn't brought up makes this section wholly unbelievable. While not a lot of action is done to suggest that this is a horror film, it certainly looks the part with it's impressive visuals, great layout and rather chilling sets as well as the fun final twenty minutes when the ruse has been uncovered, which does drag it out of the doldrums but is hardly enough to make it an out-and-out classic.Today's Rating-PG: Mild Violence

wes-connors In Paris, creepy bald-headed Peter Lorre (as Doctor Gogol) visits the incredibly realistic wax museum figure of beautiful scream queen Frances Drake (as Yvonne). Later, Mr. Lorre is consumed with orgasmic desire as he watches the real Ms. Drake perform on stage as a tortured victim. Backstage, the actress is flattered by the renown surgeon's admiration. But, Lorre is devastated to learn Drake will be leaving for England with pianist husband Colin Clive (as Stephen Orlac).En route, Mr. Clive's hands are wounded in a train wreck. Called in to operate, Lorre decides to amputate Clive's hands and sew on the hands of a recently decapitated murderer. Poor Clive loses his piano-playing ability, but gains other talents… The whole "hand transplant" machinations never grabbed me or aided in my suspension of disbelief; but "Mad Love" is stylish, has Karl Freund directing, and Lorre is an amazing sight for sore eyes. Also watch for the Yvonne's maid Sara Haden (as Marie), who can really hold her own.******* Mad Love (7/12/35) Karl Freund ~ Peter Lorre, Frances Drake, Colin Clive, Ted Healy