MartinHafer "Murders in the Rue Morgue" by Edgar Allen Poe is considered to be one of the first detective stories. While it's been made and remade several times for the big screen, I've yet to see a version that sticks very closely to the original. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, as the Poe story lacks the excitement of many of the films and the story is a bit brief. So, I can cut the makers of "Phantom of the Rue Morgue" some slack for taking some rather large liberties with the story. And overall, it's a decent film.Before I talk about the plot and my feelings, I should point out that this film must have either been 3-D originally or they planned on releasing that way in theaters. This is because again and again, the camera points directly at things as they are tossed at the camera---cheap 3-D tricks which were common in these films. It is also a color film...a bit unusual for 50s movies but not for 3-D pictures.As for the story, several women have been horribly murdered-- mutilated by a killer with immense strength and acrobatic abilities. The Inspector is a total idiot and comes up with a theory and then attempts to make the facts fit it--a common theme in B-mystery movies. The unlucky guy who gets arrested for the crimes (Steve Forrest) obviously didn't commit the murders and couldn't have if he'd wanted to do so. The only logical solution to the problem is an ape. Oddly, while it's an orangutan in the Poe story, here it's a gorilla and I assume it's simply because they had a gorilla suit handy! The mystery isn't just the ape, however, it's also who is behind all this and why--elements that simply weren't in the original tale....but were entertaining nevertheless.Not a brilliant horror/mystery film but an enjoyable time passer. It's also fun just to watch it and count the cheap 3-D moments where things are aimed at the audience...making this an excellent movie to be used as a drinking game with friends.By the way, it doesn't harm the film in any way, but Karl Malden's character was described throughout the film as a psychologist. At this point in history, they were not called that nor were folks doing conditioning experiments like you see in the film. No biggie, however.

howardmorley Being an amateur artist I paid particular to the voluptuous actress Veola Vonn as (Arlette)who is posing and playing an artist's model.In the unfinished painting (where work has stopped because the light has gone), the artist has already painted a blue sheet covering her on the bed but Arlette is holding up a green sheet to her body.Also freeze framing the scene where she impulsively gets up from the bed in an attempt to slash the unfinished work, clearly shows she is wearing panties even though she is playing a nude model.Of course censorship took its' toll in 1954.My DVD came with the option of French sub-titles or just English dialogue but I would have appreciated French dialogue dubbed on the soundtrack.For example I like to put on Italian dialogue for my DVD of "Love is a Many Splendored Thing" for the Jennifer Jones/William Holden classic from 1955 as Jennifer sounds really sexy with her voice dubbed in this language.The above user comments do not register when you input "La Phantome de la Rue Morgue" into the search box on IMDb.com only the English title which I found surprising as this is how my copy was sold to me.There are some entertaining scenes so I awarded this film 6/10.

thewag777 This was a good mystery, and I suppose by 50s standards, a good thriller. As a young man obsessed with horror films, I was bored throughout the first half of the movie. It takes a long time to build up the plot, like so many movies of the 50s and 60s, like Rosemary's Baby and Night of the Ghouls.I will not spoil it, but lets just say its better than night of the ghouls. From a horror standpoint, it is weak. However, it is a nice mystery. Because it is a mystery, I can't go into too much detail without spoiling it. Trust me though, if you like mystery, you will like this. Do not do what I did and watch it while drunk, you will need to pay attention to this movie. If you're like me, and like to watch bad horror movies that actually look good while drunk, than stick to "The House that Screamed" I and II and "Witchhouse II."I gave it 6 of 10. Only the last 20 minutes are enjoyable, but you have to watch the whole thing to understand it, and be sober (an attribute I don't like in movies.)

SkippyDevereaux This is a good version of the Poe story, and I liked it much more than the Bela Lugosi version. This held my attention throughout the whole movie. The color cinematography was very effective and Steve Forrest and Patricia Medina make a very believable couple. The ending is a bit unintentionally funny, at least to me. And it sure is something to see a very young and a very slim Merv Griffin. LOL.But I do like this version, I think because the Lugosi version has a weird look to it. This is the better version.