Inner Sanctum Mysteries (DVD)

The Inner Sanctum Mysteries was a book series published by Simon & Schuster, then it became the basis for one of the most popular thriller series during the golden age of radio. In the 1940s Universal Studios, whose horror movies (Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy) were already legendary, joined forces with Lon Chaney, Jr., the "Wolf Man" himself, to make one-hour movies packed with thrills and chills for theatrical release.

OK, not exactly chilling or thrilling by today's standards, these very formulaic films are still a lot of fun to watch. Not unlike Elvira or The Crypt-Keeper, each mini-movie is introduced by an otherworldly creature (a talking head floating in a crystal ball), who warns us of the powers of mind (aka, the inner-sanctum) a place where anyone can commit murder.

Every film follows a routine M.O. that includes inner-dialogue voiceovers from Chaney, and a certain mechanic to the crimes (there isn't ever anything supernatural at work here, even though it's hinted at first), so I don't recommend watching them back-to-back.

The real treat here for 40s buffs is the great attention to detail in costumes, hair, and sets. The black and white shadowy cinematography is sleekly gorgeous, and for the most part the dialogue and acting is perfectly competent. Bearing in mind that these were B-movies, and looking at our own indie-fare these days, it almost makes a viewer to wish that the studio system would come back.

There is no additional release material in this attractively boxed set, but it's not missed. The movies themselves satisfy just fine.

·        Calling Dr. Death

Starring Lon Chaney Jr., Patricia Morison, J. Carrol Naish, David Bruce, Ramsay Ames

Directed by: Reginald Le Borg

Theatrical Release Date: December 17, 1943

Losing his memories of the last few days, neurologist Dr. Steele is told that his wife has been brutally murdered. Steele, aware of his conniving wife's infidelity, believes he may have been the killer and enlists the aid of his pretty nurse Stella to hypnotize him into recovering his lost memories. The first, and best, of the series.

·        Weird Woman

Starring Lon Chaney Jr., Anne Gwynne, Evelyn Ankers, Ralph Morgan, Elisabeth Risdon

Directed by: Reginald Le Borg

Theatrical Release Date: March 1, 1944

Lon Chaney, Jr. is an unhappily married doctor who suffers a convenient bout with amnesia when his wife is brutally murdered and must wrestle with his inner demons to try and prove his innocence. An adaptation of the novel "Conjure Wife" by Fritz Leiber, Jr.

·        Dead Man's Eyes

Starring Lon Chaney Jr., Jean Parker, Acquanetta, Paul Kelly, George Meeker

Directed by: Reginald Le Borg

Theatrical Release Date: November 10, 1944

A gifted artist is blinded and his career is ruined until his fiancée's father offers to bequeath him his eyes. A generous gift becomes a terrifying nightmare when the future father-in-law is found dead, and the artist must clear himself of the murder.  This looks like it might veer into The Eye territory at first, but it stays true to its murder mystery roots. Still, it is the second-best entry in the series.

·        Pillow of Death

Stars Lon Chaney Jr., Brenda Joyce, J. Edward Bromberg, Rosalind Ivan, Clara Blandick

Directed by: Wallace Fox

Theatrical Release Date: December 14, 1945

Attorney Wayne Fletcher and his secretary are having an affair, so when Wayne's wife is found smothered to death, he becomes the prime suspect. As the police investigate the murder, a psychic with questionable motives tries to contact the deceased woman. Soon, Wayne begins seeing visions of his dead wife, and other people involved with the case begin to be killed, one by one.

·        Strange Confession

Stars Lon Chaney Jr., Brenda Joyce, J. Carrol Naish, Milburn Stone, Lloyd Bridges

Directed by: John Hoffman

Theatrical Release Date: October 5, 1945

Lon Chaney, Jr. is a chemist working on a cure for influenza, when corporate

greed leads to the drug being marketed before testing is complete.  The doctor must fight to save the unsuspecting public from the horrific consequences of his unnatural invention.

·        The Frozen Ghost

Stars Lon Chaney Jr., Evelyn Ankers, Elena Verdugo, Martin Kosleck, Milburn Stone

Directed by: Harold Young

Theatrical Release Date: June 1, 1945

A hypnotist wakes up one morning and begins to suspect that he may have committed a murder while under self-hypnosis. This one looked like it would be good, what with its setting in a creepy wax museum, but it actually turned out to be the weakest. Makes sense that it's the last in the series.

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Reviewed by Staci Layne Wilson