The Mummy's Hand

Starring: Dick Foran, Peggy Moran, Wallace Ford, Eduardo Cianelli, Cecil Kellaway, Tom Tyler
Directed by: Christy Cabanne
Rating: Not rated
Genre: Adventure, Horror
1940

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: Two Americans in Egypt unearth a Mummy's tomb, and he rises from the dead to protect his queen's chambers.

Review:

Tim: It surprises me that it took Hollywood 8 years to make a sequel to 1932's The Mummy. That film might not be an immediate classic, but it's a good movie, and there's countless ways to make more of these films. After a long wait, we did get a second Mummy film. However, it's not really a direct sequel. In some ways, it's almost like a reboot (although this was WAY before that term existed). The film is really a reboot/remake, but it takes the story in a slightly different direction.

Unfortunately, the story here is pretty disappointing. I just did not feel like it was particularly strong. It felt like there was quite a few plot holes throughout the entire film. The movie did introduce the secret group that is sworn to protect the mummies and the other buried treasures in Egypt. That was interesting, but I felt like that subplot wasn't fully developed.

There are some big flaws in this film. The script features a number of logic gaps and stupid reactions by the characters. For example, one of the archeologists is found strangled to death. The other characters are shocked, and then continue on with their dig without a second worry. I just envisioned them tossing the corpse outside to rot and getting back to their digging. When a second member of their group is murdered in the exact same way, they decide to leave- the next morning. Even stupider, they immediately suggest the woman and the old man go to sleep in a tent alone, while they "guard" the fire pit outside. This whole sequence is just so ridiculous and so idiotic. No one would behave like that, and it hurt the film. Here's one other example- the two main characters realize the girl has been kidnapped by the mummy, and they decide to split up. One will search the mummy's tomb for a secret entrance, and the other will go around to look for anothe entrance on the other side of the mountain. In short time, he does find the entrance, and it's pretty massive. It just felt so stupid that no one would have noticed such a large ruin obviously within a very short distance of where they camped. The film was full of these plot holes, and it frustrated me to no end.

The make up of the mummy was impressive. The bandages looked incredible, and I just loved how the mummy's eyes were blacked out. This had to be done frame-by-frame, but it resulted in a really terrifying monster. Every close up of the mummy was a bit frightening to see, which I loved. I though the mummy just looked incredible in this movie. That was a huge strength.

I really like that The Mummy' Hand (I'm not a fan of that title, by the way) was even made. Mummy movies are fun to watch, even when they're not particularly good. I'm glad that this film continued the potential franchise. Unfortunately, this film is a big step down from the original movie. It was an average film, but the plot was just too lazy and weak, and the plot holes bugged me beyond belief. I'm happy this sequel was made, but the quality was lacking.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating- 6



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: The Mummy (1932), Dracula, Frankenstein