Artivels Undescribable Perfection

PodBill Just what I expected

Platicsco Good story, Not enough for a whole film

InformationRap This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

MartinHafer The film begins with a kindly doctor (Boris Karloff) being sentenced for performing a mercy killing. He is given the death penalty and the sentenced is to be carried out in one month (wow--things sure went fast in the good old days). In the meantime, however, the warden of the prison allows the Doctor to continue his experiments regarding prolonging human life, as the work seems important and not everyone is as tough on the Doc as the judge.During this one month period, a breakthrough occurs with Karloff's research. And, in an effort to test the formula, Karloff insists that the other doctor inject him with the formula. The experiment is a success and Karloff now looks and feels much younger and healthier--and as luck has it, the death sentence is commuted, so Karloff can continue working in the prison laboratory. However, slowly the changes that occur in the one-kindly man are unanticipated...and not particularly pleasant to say the least. Why did he change and what happens next? Well, see the film for yourself, as I'd hate to spoil the suspense--though the why is a tad silly.Overall, a novel idea for a film that is well worth seeing. Karloff fans will have a ball, but non-fans also might enjoy this interesting little B-movie. I particularly liked it because I enjoyed seeing Karloff play such a likable guy--at least until the injection.

wes-connors Mad scientist Boris Karloff (as Dr. John Garth) is sentenced to hang, as an admitted "mercy killer". But, since his research in medicine is so important, Mr. Karloff is permitted to continue experimenting, in a laboratory behind bars. Karloff thinks human cells could be prompted to reproduce forever, curing both disease and old age. Believing he is going to be executed, Karloff uses his experimental serum on himself, and is transfused with the blood of a convicted murderer. Then, suddenly, Karloff is paroled. He becomes twenty years younger, but must fight the urge to kill, Kill, KILL! A cheap, ludicrous, but bearable star vehicle.**** Before I Hang (1940) Nick Grinde ~ Boris Karloff, Evelyn Keyes, Pedro de Cordoba

sol1218 (Some Spoilers) 1940 turned out to be a bumper year for Boris Karloff with him staring in eight movies mostly as a kindly misunderstood man of science. In "Before I Hang" Boris is at it again as the meek and sensitive Dr. John Garth who's life long quest for the secret of eternal youth and excellent health has lead him to face the hangman in the murder, or mercy killing, of one of his patients.Condemned to death and sentenced to be hung for his crime Dr. Garth nevertheless is allowed to conducted his experiences behind bars. Hours before he's to be executed Dr. Garth has himself injected with a serum that would forever keep his cells from decaying and keep him both healthy and youthful. It also turns out that Grath has become infused with the blood of a triple murderer who's been executed the day before. That serum that was to help the future of humanity in fact created a monster who will kill anyone who stand in his way, in his mad and misguided attempt too save the human race, even his sweet daughter Martha played by Evelyn Keys.Garth despite him murdering fellow scientist Dr. Ralph Howard, Edward Van Sloan, and prison orderly Otto Krone, Frank Richards, is overlooked in their murders only because he left no eye witnesses to his crimes. It's later-moments before he was to be hung- when Dr. Garth's death sentence was commented by the state Governor that he really went to work on his experiments. Later granted a full pardon and being reinstated back in the medical profession Dr. Garth, feeling invincible, goes bonkers in him murdering any one who refuses to under go or rejects his "youth" treatment even his best and most trusting friends! One of Dr. Garth's very talented and elderly friends the world renowned concert pianist Victor Sondina, Pedro de Cordoba, who in fact, against his better judgment,consented to his crazy experiment ended up not being cured from the aging process, like Garth promised him, but being strangled by the crazed scientist who just lost control of his senses!It was when the helpless Dr. Garth almost ended up strangling his own daughter Martha, who only survived her father's insanity by almost dropping dead from fright, that he finally realized what a complete nut and psycho killer he really was. It was then that Dr. Garth decided to let the law exact justice on his troubled soul and also ended up, in again losing control of his actions, having the state save the expense of hanging him!

Tranio1 Boris Karloff, typecast in the horror genre, was one of our most underrated film actors. Here is a typical film of his middle career that showcases his versatile skills, equally strong as the benign, elderly scientist and his murderous, strangling younger self. This b-picture packs a lot of atmosphere and suspense into it's hour running time. Any shortcomings cannot be blamed on anyone but the screenwriter, Robert D. Andrews, who was just trying to keep things moving- not such a bad thing, actually. Nick Grinde does an excellent job making the most out of the script and witness Karloff's fireside confession for an example of the film's above average cinematography. It's also nice to see Karloff side by side with Edward Van Sloan again nine years after Frankenstein. If you need proof of Boris Karloff's talent and charisma aside from Frankenstein, check out Before I Hang, as well as The Black Room, The Body Snatcher, and Targets. I wish we had a star like him today...