a couple peter and joan allison be join by dr. vitus verdegast ( bela lugosi ) who be on their way to a hotel and but suddenly their bus crash during a storm . dr verdegast suggest they seek refuge in hjalmar poelzig ( borris karloff ) house and who be an old acquaintance of his and he secretly seek revenge against him for the death of his wife and betray his country by slaughter his entire army when it be sacrifice to satan during ww1 . dr verdegast discovers that poelzig have the same idea for joan and which saw him kill his wife . so to help them escape dr. verdegast challenge poelzig to a game of chess and if he win they be free and if he doesn not their doom . incredibly complex and odd assortment of novelty range from sadism and superstition to satan worship fill this stylish yet confuse film . i wasn not particularly gob smack or incredibly impress by the film after read a lot good thing about it and but it the performance and the look of the film that keep me glued and amaze . the plot have an engrossing set up and but the story just do not compliment it and a it could have be far more interesting than it be . it jump here to there without real cohesion and become rather thin in detail and but there be some surprising revelation along the way . the dialogue on the other hand be rather fine and if too much of it . there be a lot of conversation than actual action or lively scene . the distinction between dr verdegast and poelzig be pretty even in power and determination to rid each other . with them toss back and forth sharp and intense dialogue to get the upper hand . all of this mayhem between them lead to a greatly energetic tussle between the two star . the set up be a slow grinder to begin with and though there be interest idea that pop up throughout the film . the reasonably slow dramatic 45 minute suddenly pick up the pace and energy level for the last thrilling and involve 15 minute and which alone be good reason to watch it . this be when satanist and sacrificial ceremony fill the story . there be a brilliant climax involve a skinning that be imply to great effect and a big explosion to end it all . the ironic end be fairly convincing and enjoyable in tie up the film . it definitely lugosi best performance that i have see along with white zombie . though and i have yet to see dracula . it be a good change to see him play a good guy and a much more controlled and subtle character than his eccentric role . borris karloff come across rather menace and quite callous in appearance . his body language be impressively noticeable and impose in create terror . from his dead look facial and soft spoken voice really add to the unease . julie bishop and david manner a the couple be fine in their performance . this be impressively atmospheric and hold such a great awe to it all . the modernistic cold domain of poelzig castle truly stand out and with the spiral staircase and slide door and the dark dungeon and curvy interior . there be such great composition with lighting and solid camera work capture the elegance and style of the scenery beautifully . the soar score take hold and sometimes it get rather distract for me . a i keep try to figure out where i hear the score from before . overall and the black cat be a very good mood piece and hold such great performance . not as great a i think it would be and but still it highly entertain .