Mikel3 It was a night full of heavy rain and thunderstorms yesterday. We decided to watch some scary films from 1939 with the lights down low while our dog hid by us from the thunder. The first one we watched was 'The Face at the Window' (1939). The second was 'Human Monster' also from that same year.'The Face at the Window' takes place in Paris probably in 1880s. The story concerns grisly murders that are committed right after the victim sees a gruesome werewolf-like face in their window. Soon after that vision they're found with a knife in their back accompanied by an eery howling sound. While these murders are being investigated another side story is going on. The partner of a rich banker has eyes for his associate's much younger daughter. This creepy and lecherous character is played with gusto by actor Tod Slaughter. The daughter he wants for his wife is in love with a young penniless bank clerk in her fathers employe. The evil older man must find a way to get rid of his young rival. The story is slow at times, still most fans of 1930s crime/horror films should enjoy it like we did. I would not call it a great film; it is entertaining with some genuinely scary scenes.

Red-Barracuda Tod Slaughter has to be one of the most reliably entertaining screen actors of the 30's. I've seen most of this guys films and he never disappoints. There's no doubt that his acting style is hammier than a hammy thing but there's nothing wrong with that surely? It takes considerable charisma and skill to overact as compellingly as Slaughter. This film follows a very similar narrative path to many of his other vehicles, i.e. Slaughter plays a rich pillar of the community who lives a double-life as an evil criminal, he lusts after a woman half his age who is not interested in him, so he sets about framing her fiancé with a crime he did not commit leaving the poor girl easy prey for him. Almost all his movies could be described thus. But it doesn't really seem to matter very much as Slaughter is always terrific as the leering cad and is easily the best thing about the films he stars in.Slaughter's films were all Victorian melodramas first and foremost but this one definitely moves into more definite horror and even science fiction territory. The monster who is the face of the title is an effective looking baddie although he doesn't really get to do much and his presence in the movie doesn't make an awful lot of sense. But not to worry because, as I mentioned earlier, this is Slaughter's film and he delivers the goods as usual.

Woodyanders 1880: A vicious wolf-like fiend called the Face terrorizes Paris, France with his murderous misdeeds. After a bank gets robbed, the wealthy, but evil and cunning Chavalier Lucio del Gardo (a delightfully hammy portrayal by Todd Slaughter) tries to set up poor struggling bank clerk Lucien Cortier (a likable turn by John Warwick) as master criminal the Wolf so he can have the lovely Cecile de Brisson (fetching Marjorie Taylor) all too himself. Director George King, working from clever script by A.R. Rawlinson and Ronald Fayre, relates the involving story at a steady pace, offers a flavorsome evocation of the 19th century period setting, and stages the lively and exciting climax with considerable brio. Slaughter's deliciously robust, theatrical, and outsized acting is a total eye-rolling joy to watch; his vigorous and enthusiastic presence keeps the movie entertaining throughout. Moreover, Chavalier makes for a marvelously slimy, arrogant, and hateful villain. The supporting cast manage to hold their on with Slaughter: Warwick and Taylor are appealing leads, plus there are solid contributions from Aubrey Mallalieu as honest bank president M. de Brisson and Robert Adair as the no-nonsense Detective Gouffert. Harry Terry is genuinely creepy as the titular hirsute snarling freak. Hone Glendinng's cinematography is pretty rough around the edges, but overall acceptable. Jack Beaver's rousing and dramatic score does the stirring trick. A fun little quickie.

Claudio Carvalho In 1880, the criminal called The Face is responsible for a murderous rampage in France. When the Brisson Bank is robbed in Paris and the employee Michelle is murdered, the wealthy Chevalier Lucio del Gardo (Tod Slaughter) is the only chance to save the bank. Chavalier proposes to the owner M. de Brisson (Aubrey Mallalieu) to deposit a large amount of gold, but in return he would like to marry his daughter Cecile (Marjorie Taylor). However, Cecile is in love with the efficient clerk Lucien Cortier (John Warwick) that belongs to the lower classes and refuses the engagement. In order to get rid off the rival, Chavalier uses evidences to incriminate Lucien, manipulating the incompetent Parisian chief of police."The Face at the Window" is dated and delightfully naive, but is also a great entertainment. The story has a despicable villain; the good guy is unfairly accused and has to prove his innocence; the heroine is extremely naive, but has strength to fight for her love; the chief of police is a complete stupid. Tod Slaughter performs another villain with his usual efficiency. My vote is seven.Title (Brazil): "Um Vulto da Janela" ("A Face at the Window")