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IMDbPro

Phantom of the Rue Morgue

  • 1954
  • Approved
  • 1h 23m
IMDb RATING
5.9/10
1.2K
YOUR RATING
Patricia Medina in Phantom of the Rue Morgue (1954)
When several women are found mutilated and murdered, the Paris police are baffled as to who the killer may be. All evidence points to Dupin, but soon it becomes apparent that it is someone (or something) stronger and deadlier than a human.
Play trailer2:30
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35 Photos
CrimeHorrorMystery

When several women are found mutilated and murdered, the Paris police are baffled as to who the killer may be. All evidence points to Dupin, but soon it becomes apparent that it is someone (... Read allWhen several women are found mutilated and murdered, the Paris police are baffled as to who the killer may be. All evidence points to Dupin, but soon it becomes apparent that it is someone (or something) stronger and deadlier than a human.When several women are found mutilated and murdered, the Paris police are baffled as to who the killer may be. All evidence points to Dupin, but soon it becomes apparent that it is someone (or something) stronger and deadlier than a human.

  • Director
    • Roy Del Ruth
  • Writers
    • Edgar Allan Poe
    • Harold Medford
    • James R. Webb
  • Stars
    • Karl Malden
    • Claude Dauphin
    • Patricia Medina
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.9/10
    1.2K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Roy Del Ruth
    • Writers
      • Edgar Allan Poe
      • Harold Medford
      • James R. Webb
    • Stars
      • Karl Malden
      • Claude Dauphin
      • Patricia Medina
    • 35User reviews
    • 19Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:30
    Trailer

    Photos35

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    Top cast87

    Edit
    Karl Malden
    Karl Malden
    • Dr. Marais
    Claude Dauphin
    Claude Dauphin
    • Insp. Bonnard
    Patricia Medina
    Patricia Medina
    • Jeanette
    Steve Forrest
    Steve Forrest
    • Prof. Paul Dupin
    Allyn Ann McLerie
    Allyn Ann McLerie
    • Yvonne
    • (as Allyn McLerie)
    Anthony Caruso
    Anthony Caruso
    • Jacques the One-Eyed
    Veola Vonn
    Veola Vonn
    • Arlette
    Dolores Dorn
    Dolores Dorn
    • Camille
    Merv Griffin
    Merv Griffin
    • Georges Brevert
    Paul Richards
    Paul Richards
    • Rene the Knife-Thrower
    Rolfe Sedan
    Rolfe Sedan
    • LeBon
    • (as Rolphe Sedan)
    Erin O'Brien-Moore
    Erin O'Brien-Moore
    • Wardrobe Woman
    The Flying Zacchinis
    • Acrobatic Act
    Abdullah Abbas
    • Show Spectator
    • (uncredited)
    Rico Alaniz
    Rico Alaniz
    • Gendarme
    • (uncredited)
    Fred Aldrich
    Fred Aldrich
    • Barfly
    • (uncredited)
    Monya Andre
    • Show Spectator
    • (uncredited)
    Larry Arnold
    • Gendarme
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Roy Del Ruth
    • Writers
      • Edgar Allan Poe
      • Harold Medford
      • James R. Webb
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews35

    5.91.1K
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    Featured reviews

    wurliguy

    A fun mystery

    I have read all of Edgar Allen Poe's works, I don't think there is a faithful movie adaptation anywhere, of course if there was, most movies would be about 15 - 20 minutes long. The Phantom of the Rue Morgue is a fun movie especially if you can see it in 3-D as I did twice when I lived in Los Angeles. I have been watching 3-D movies for 40 years, and I search for them constantly.

    I am also a Karl Malden fan and I think every movie he is in is great, and he overacts almost as well as Vincent Price, whom I consider the King. The color, photography and 3-D effects are absolutely great. Too many people expect a "slasher" type movie, "Phantom" was made before that type of movie was invented, and is very literate compared to today's movies.

    As with all 3-D movies, "The Phantom of the Rue Morgue" needs to be seen in 3-D, to really appreciate it.

    Look for a 3-D festival, or revival, and go see it. I wish Warner Brothers would release all of their 3-D movies on DVD in "3-D for shutterglass" versions. I would buy them all.
    7grantch

    Atmospheric Thriller

    If you've never seen this Parisian outing in 3-D, you must. It's been decades since the last time I enjoyed it at a temporary 3-D revival, but I remember the effects quite well. I won't discuss the story because too many commentators have already discussed how it is modified from Poe's original, but the script works. It is a horror movie, after all, which makes me think the writer who critiqued the "over the top" and "stilted" acting, doesn't realize that like fair rides we go to these movies to be thrilled and shudder. By current slasher film standards, this movie is very tame ... but it effectively depicts enough to give you nightmares, if you really think a bout what's going on. As mentioned, the 3-D effects are stunning. No, this movie is not as good per se as "House of Wax" but it is definitely worth a look. Why the devil doesn't Warner Brothers release both HoW and PotRM on DVD in 3-D using the shutter process utilized for the Imax releases?
    7Hitchcoc

    Not Too Bad

    Yet another chapter in the Rue Morgue opus. This one is fun because Karl Malden is quite good. He makes an admirable villain. Even the ape is pretty convincing. The downside is the head of the police who wants to arrest anyone that moves. No evidence. No logic. There is a ridiculous scene where a circus acrobat tries to recreate a possible method for the murder of a woman. When he fails, the cop still ignores his eyes and won't release the young man. This is really shot will with vibrant color and and almost expressionistic outside set.
    5Doylenf

    More gripping than the 1932 version directed by Robert Florey...

    Although not in the same league with Warner's HOUSE OF WAX, at least this version of the Edgar Allen Poe story has some interesting ingredients that make it passable entertainment. First and foremost, the always dependable KARL MALDEN as a sinister man terrifying Paris with his ape and a pleasant supporting cast that includes CLAUDE DAUPHIN, PATRICIA MEDINA and a very young and slim MERV GRIFFIN.

    David Buttolph's music adds some flavor to the improbable Poe story and the sets and costumes provide additional quality. But the basic story is so silly that none of it seems quite credible. You just have to suspend your disbelief long enough to enjoy the tale, expanded a bit from Poe's original short story with only modest returns.

    STEVE FORREST, as a man wrongly accused, gives the film's most earnest performance but it's KARL MALDEN and his ape companion that you're most likely to remember.

    At any rate, a vast improvement over the stilted '32 version directed by Robert Florey with a very young Leon Ames as the romantic lead and Bela Lugosi providing the only thrills.
    SkippyDevereaux

    I liked this version very much

    This is a good version of the Poe story, and I liked it much more than the Bela Lugosi version. This held my attention throughout the whole movie. The color cinematography was very effective and Steve Forrest and Patricia Medina make a very believable couple. The ending is a bit unintentionally funny, at least to me. And it sure is something to see a very young and a very slim Merv Griffin. LOL.

    But I do like this version, I think because the Lugosi version has a weird look to it. This is the better version.

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    Related interests

    James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in The Sopranos (1999)
    Crime
    Mia Farrow in Rosemary's Baby (1968)
    Horror
    Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway in Chinatown (1974)
    Mystery

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      When told that he'd been cast in this film as a student studying at the Sorbonne, Merv Griffin supposedly remarked: "Me, playing a Frenchman, with my night-train-to-Dublin puss?!?"
    • Goofs
      Although set in turn-of-the-century Paris, there's a scene in the movie, when the police inspector and Paul Dupin visit the fair to watch the acrobats at work, where you can see the famous Warner Studios water tower in the background for a brief moment.
    • Quotes

      Dr. Marais: These days inspector everything is Freud or it is nothing, Freud and the libido, anything new, especialy from zoologists like myself...

      Prof. Paul Dupin: ...At least has a reception here. Dr. Marais maintains that in all forms of life, from the micro to man, the killer instinct lies latent.

      Dr. Marais: Held in check for most of us, but for others igniting under certain hatred, or passion, or a crowning frustration, or a total collapse of one's beliefs...

    • Alternate versions
      When originally released theatrically in the UK, the BBFC made cuts to secure a 'X' rating.
    • Connections
      Featured in Son of Svengoolie: Phantom of the Rue Morgue (1980)
    • Soundtracks
      Auprès de ma blonde ('Le Prisonnier de Hollande')
      (uncredited)

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    FAQ15

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 27, 1954 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Der Würger von Paris
    • Filming locations
      • Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA(Studio)
    • Production company
      • Warner Bros.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,450,000
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 23m(83 min)
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1(original ratio)
      • 1.75 : 1

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