Based on the starring of Peter Lorre, and the promise in the plot synopsis that his face would be disfigured, I admittedly expected this to be a slice of B-movie horror, but it certainly isn't. "The Face behind the Mask" massively transcends the simple providing of cheap thrills, as it's a tragically harsh and saddening allegory on immigration and the backside of the American dream at the start of the 20th century, brought to an even more superlative level by Lorre's performance.
In my humble opinion, Peter Lorre's legendary roles in "M" and "Mad Love" are impossible to surpass, but he does come darn close here, with his depiction Janos Szabo; - a Hungarian immigrant arriving in the United States full of hope and enthusiasm to find employment as a watchmaker and contribute to society. His naivety and unconditional friendliness gain him the respect of several New Yorkers, including a police inspector, but then a tragedy occurs when Janos' face gets horribly disfigured in a tenement fire. Janos is forced into a life of crime, even if it were only to pay for a half-decent mask, because without he's unemployable and downright terrifying to be around. He's disgusted by having to give up his own norms and ideals, until he finds the true love and redemption of the blind Helen (lovely Evelyn Keyes). But even that little bit of happiness isn't meant for him.
Let's take a moment and stand still at what a brilliant (but sadly underrated) actor Peter Lorre was. Not only does his character goes through a whole spectrum of emotion as well as two completely opposite personalities, but also Lorre's own unique physical features can apparently replace special effects. The ending should have featured a bit more action and fierceness, but overall a masterclass 40s movie.
