The Ghoul (1933)

This was the first British horror film of the sound era.

The Ghoul (1933) is a British horror film that has gained a cult following over the years. Directed by T. Hayes Hunter, the movie is considered one of the early examples of British horror cinema, featuring a mix of gothic atmosphere, supernatural elements, and a standout performance by Boris Karloff, who was already famous for his role in Frankenstein (1931). The story revolves around Professor Morlant (Boris Karloff), a dying Egyptologist obsessed with ancient Egyptian rituals and the belief that a particular jewel,

the “Eternal Light,” will grant him immortality if buried with him. As his death approaches, he instructs his servant Laing (Ernest Thesiger) to ensure the jewel is placed in his tomb. However, upon his death, the jewel is stolen, and Morlant rises from the grave to seek revenge on those who betrayed him.

The plot thickens with the involvement of various characters, including Morlant’s heirs and a couple of dubious individuals who are also after the jewel, leading to a climax filled with suspense and horror.

Cast

  • Karloff, Boris as Professor Henry Morlant, renowned Egyptologist – (November 23, 1887 – February 2, 1969) Frankenstein, Behind the Mask, The Mummy, The Ghoul, The Black Cat, Bride of Frankenstein, The Raven, The Black Room, The Raven, The Invisible Ray, Son of Frankenstein, The Man They Could Not Hang, Tower of London, Black Friday, The Ape, The House of Frankenstein, Isle of the Dead, Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer Boris Karloff, The Black Castle, Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Voodoo Island, The Haunted Strangler, Frankenstein 1970, Corridors of Blood, The terror, Black Sabbath, Bikini Beach, Die Monster Die!, The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini, Mad Monster Party, The Sorcerers, Cauldron of Blood, Curse of the Crimson Altar, Isle of the Snake People, The Incredible Invasion, Fear Chamber, House of Evil
  • Hardwicke, Cedric as Mr. Broughton, the Professor’s solicitor – (February 19, 1893 – August 6, 1964) Nelson, Les Misérables, The Ghoul, King Solomon’s Mines, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Invisible Man Returns, The Picture of Dorian Gray, The Ghost of Frankenstein, Invisible Agent, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, Botany Bay, The War of the Worlds, Helen of Troy, The Ten Commandments, Around the World in 80 Days, Baby Face Nelson, Five Weeks in a Balloon, The Pumpkin Eater, TV episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits
  • Thesiger, Ernest as Laing, the Professor’s clubfooted servant – (January 15, 1879 – January 14, 1961) The Real Thing at Last, The Old Dark House, The Ghoul, Bride of Frankenstein, Caesar and Cleopatra, The Ghosts of Berkeley Square, Scrooge, An Alligator Named Daisy, The Battle of the Sexes, The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone
  • Hyson, Dorothy as Miss Betty Harlon, the Professor’s niece and one of his two heirs – (December 24, 1914 – May 23, 1996) Money Mad, The Ghoul, Soldiers of the King, Sing As We Go, Spare a Copper, You Will Remember
  • Bushell, Anthony as Ralph Morlant, the Professor’s nephew and one of his two heirs (May 19, 1904 – April 2, 1997) Disraeli, Journey’s End, Five Star Final, Vanity Fair, The Ghoul, The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel, The Red Beret, The Black Knight, The Purple Plain, The Purple Plain, The Battle of the River Plate, A Night to Remember, Bushell, Anthony as Ralph Morlant, the Professor’s nephew and one of his two heirs (May 19, 1904 – April 2, 1997) Disraeli, Journey’s End, Five Star Final, Vanity Fair, The Ghoul, The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel, The Red Beret, The Black Knight, The Purple Plain, The Purple Plain, The Battle of the River Plate, A Night to Remember, TV episodes of Quatermass and the Pit, Director of The Third Man, Danger Man, Man of the World, The Saint
  • Harrison, Kathleen as Miss Kaney, Miss Betty Harlon’s flatmate and movie’s comic relief – (February 23, 1892 – December 7, 1995) Hobson’s Choice, The Ghoul, The Outsider, Tilly of Bloomsbury, The Flying Squad, The Ghost Train, It Happened One Sunday, Holiday Camp, Oliver Twist, Here Come the Huggetts, Vote for Huggett, The Huggetts Abroad, Scrooge, TV episodes of Comedy Playhouse, Stars on Sundays, Shades of Greene, Danger UXB
  • Huth, Harold as Sheikh Aga Ben Dragore, who sold the jewel to the Professor – (January 20, 1892 –October 26, 1967) One of the Best, The Triumph of the Scarlet Pimpernel, The Outsider, The Flying Squad, The World, the Flesh, the Devil, The Ghoul, Sing Along with Me, Director of Hell’s Cargo, They Were Sisters, Look Before You Love, The Hostage
  • Clarke-Smith, D. A. -Smith as Mahmoud – (August 2, 1888 – March 12, 1959) Atlantic, Shadows, The Frightened Lady, White Face, The Ghoul, Mayfair Girl, Flat Number Three, Money Mad, The Man Who Knew Too Much, Flying Fifty-Five, The Pickwick Papers, The Sword and the Rose, The Baby and the Battleship
  • Richardson, Ralph as Nigel Hartley, false parson – (December 19, 1902 – October 10, 1983) The Ghoul, Friday the Thirteenth, The Man Who Could Work Miracles, The Citadel, The Silver Fleet, Outcast of the Islands, The Holly and the Ivy, Exodus, The 300 Spartans, Doctor Zhivago, David Copperfield, Tales from the Crypt, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Rollerball, The Man in the Iron Mask, Dragonslayer, Time Bandits, Give My Regards to Broad Street, Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes TV episodes of Frankenstein: The True Story, This Is Your Life, The Morecambe and Wise Christmas Show, Witness for the Prosecution
  • Raine, Jack as Davis, Mr. Broughton’s chauffeur (uncredited) – (May 18, 1897 –May 30, 1979) Piccadilly, The Hate Ship, The Ghoul, Lilies of the Field, Holiday Camp, Les Misérables, Botany Bay, Julius Caesar, D-Day the Sixth of June, My Fair Lady, Our Man Flint, Doctor Dolittle, Hello, Dolly!, Bedknobs and Broomsticks
  • Relph, George as Doctor (uncredited) – (January 27, 1888 – April 24, 1960) The Lure of Woman, The Butterfly on the Wheel, The Ballet Girl, Her Maternal Right, The Door That Has No Key, The Ghoul, Too Dangerous to Live, The Titfield Thunderbolt, Doctor at Large, Davy, Ben-Hur

T. Hayes Hunter directed the film, bringing a distinct style that combined the eerie atmospheres of German expressionist cinema with the more straightforward horror elements typical of early Hollywood films. Hunter was an American-born director who became a notable figure in British cinema during the silent and early sound eras, particularly known for his work in the horror and thriller genres.

His most famous film, The Ghoul (1933), is recognized as one of the early British horror films. Hunter also directed The Squeaker (1930), a crime drama based on Edgar Wallace’s play, and The Ace of Spades (1925), a silent film that showcased his ability to create suspenseful narratives. Though his later career saw a decline, his work left a lasting impact on British genre cinema. The film’s music is by Louis Levy with Leighton Lucas.

The film was produced by Gaumont-British Picture Corporation and marked one of the early collaborations between British studios and Hollywood talent, as Boris Karloff was already an established star in the United States. The producer was Michael Balcon, a pioneering British film producer who played a crucial role in shaping the British film industry. He founded Gainsborough Pictures in the 1920s and later became the head of Ealing Studios, where he produced iconic films like The Ladykillers (1955), Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949), and The Lavender Hill Mob (1951).

Balcon was instrumental in the development of British cinema, fostering talent such as Alfred Hitchcock and championing a distinctly British style of filmmaking. His influence extended across genres, from comedies to dramas, making him a central figure in British film history.

This production was notable for its high-quality sets and the use of shadows and lighting to create a creepy, gothic atmosphere. The film was shot in Lime Grove Studios1 in Shepherd’s Bush, London. The studio was known for producing many British films during the early 20th century. The settings within the movie, particularly the tomb scenes, were designed to evoke the grandeur and mystery of ancient Egypt, despite the film’s limited budget. The use of studio sets allowed for controlled lighting and atmospherics that contributed to the film’s haunting visual style.

The movie is certainly creepy, and moves along at a fair pace. I liked Karloff as the Ghoul, the storyline with the jewel, and Kathleen Harrison was cute and funny. I’ll give this film a solid 3 out of 5 stars.

Footnotes
  1. Lime Grove Studios in Shepherd’s Bush, London, was a significant British film and television studio that opened in 1915 and closed in 1991. Originally built by the Gaumont Film Company, it became one of the leading studios in Britain, hosting a wide array of film productions during its early years. Some famous films shot there include Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps (1935) and The Lady Vanishes (1938). In 1949, the BBC acquired the studios, transforming them into a hub for television production, where classic shows like Doctor Who and Steptoe and Son were filmed. Lime Grove Studios were known for their historic contribution to both British cinema and television until their closure and subsequent demolition in the early 1990s. ↩︎
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Author: Doyle

I was born in Atlanta, moved to Alpharetta at 4, lived there for 53 years and moved to Decatur in 2016. I've worked at such places as Richway, North Fulton Medical Center, Management Science America (Computer Tech/Project Manager) and Stacy's Compounding Pharmacy (Pharmacy Tech).

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