this film star peter lorre a an exceptionally nice guy who immigrate to america . unfortunately and shortly after his arrival and he in a horrible fire and his face be horribly burn . because he look so awful and no one want to hire him and out of sheer desperation and he resort to a life of crime in order to earn the money need to buy a mask to hide his ugliness . where exactly the film go from there and you will just need to see for yourself . i score this movie an 8 because and for the money spend to make it and it a heck of a good film with a lot of good twist in the plot to keep it interest . the film could have degenerate into a simple horror or crime film and but it go far beyond this an offer some genuine surprise . in addition and the excellent acting by lorre show that he be capable of more than just support role . this be an excellent film and delivers more than most a picture of the day .