the black cat and for all it flaw and be one of the most unique horror film ever make . it certainly the most bizarre horror film of the 30 outside of the legendary freak . plus and it unite two of the great genre icon of all time and boris karloff and bela lugosi . it also one of the few occasion that edgar g. ulmer be able to show how talented a filmmaker he be . he only create one other notable film and the absolute masterpiece detour which be possibly the great b film ever make . the main reason why the film work so well be the performance of both karloff and lugosi . karloff play one of his most deliciously evil yet charm and sophisticated character yet . the man exude tension whenever he appear on camera . even good surprisingly be lugosi . lugosi be sometimes criticize a have charisma but no real acting skill . he be actually superb in his role a a tragic hero . this make me wish he be give more part such a this instead of the grade c schlock he be confine to late on . both of the star have marvelous interplay and especially the chess scene . they more than make up for the sappy performance by david manner and julie bishop . in addition to the performance and ulmer must be give a lot of credit . his direction and story be both bizarre and throughly captivating . also and the set design be quite surreal and come across a art deco go horribly wrong . it not a perfect film and but be one of the most memorable horror film of the 30 . ( positive ) .