Famous sculptor Ivan Igor (Lionel Atwill), has taken up wax as his new profession. He is running a wax museum in London, but it seems to be doing poorly, with the main complaint being it’s not ghoulish enough. But one night in 1921 he is visited by an influential critic who wants to showcase his wax figures to the Royal Academy, including Ivan’s masterpiece, Marie Antoinette. But tragedy strikes when Ivan’s business partner (Edwin Maxwell) decides to collect the fire insurance and sets the museum ablaze. 

Cut to 1933 in New York City, Ivan has somehow survived the fire and is now ready to reopen his museum in the city that never sleeps. He is now badly crippled and forced to stay in a wheelchair while his workers take on the maintenance of the museum and his sculptures. But something strange is afoot when a strange monster starts stealing bodies from a nearby morgue and their likeness shows up at the new museum,

The Mystery of the Wax Museum (1933) is one of the great horror films of the 1930s. It was thought to be lost for many decades until damage prints became available. It has since been released on home video as an extra feature on the DVD of the 1953 remake, House of Wax, and as a stand-alone feature. But these old releases have been plagued with image problems and sound hiccups. But fans are in luck as one of the best restorations of 2020 is the new UCLA and George Lucas Family Foundation release of Wax Museum. The finished result is simply marvelous. It feels like seeing the movie for the first time.

Based on Charles S. Belden’s “The Wax Works”, Mystery would be one of the first horror films to use a wax museum as its setting. The movie is filled with spooky style thanks to its cinematography by Ray Rennahan and the direction of Michael Curtiz (Casablanca). It was also the Warner Brothers’ last film to use the Two-Color Technicolor process, which gives an extra pulpy feel. Based on the commentaries on this disc, it seems like this process was a pain to produce thanks to all the added lighting, making the sets extremely hot.

At 79 minutes, the movie flies by with a fast pace that never lets up. It starts with the action pack opening and then continues to mix sleaze thrills until the rapid fast climax. The setting after New Years, also adds some fun bits of imagery, as people walk around piles and piles of trashy and glitter. But of course, the best sights are the large villain’s lair and monster makeup. 

The cast is filled with great performances. Glenda Farrell (Torchy Blane series) steals the show as the clever reporter who saves the day. Horror fans will love Fay Wray (King Kong, Doctor X) even tho out of the leads she is given very little to do. But the main attraction is the intense and brooding Lionel Atwill (Vampire Bat, Son of Frankenstein) who gives one of his best performances. 

Warner Archives has given Mystery of the Wax Museum the deluxe treatment with a fantastic transfer of the new restoration and plenty of information packed extras. The 1080p HD Transfer is nearly perfect. The flesh tones are vivid with nice highlights on the make-up. The oranges and reds are clear, and the black levels are well balanced. There is is some natural film grain but nothing that looks like it was removed with DNR. The focus is clear and you can spot so many fine details and textures, like the sweat and grease on Atwill’s hands at the beginning of the movie.

The audio track is an English DTS-HD Master Audio mix. There is no hiss or pops. The dialogue is well balanced with the sound effects and musical score. Fay Wray’s Screaming is a clear as day. English subtitles are included.

Warner archives have also included some fine extras.

• An Audio Commentary with Historian and Director of UCLA’s Restoration group, Scott MacQueen. The track is packed with information and is nearly breathless with the scope of the movie. There are a few minor audio glitches when it switches to sound bites from older interviews, but otherwise its an excellent track.
• Audio commentary with film historian Alan K. Rode. This track is more focused on Michael Curtiz, so there is some new info but its mainly a lot of repeats.
• “Remembering Fay Wray” is an 18-minute interview with Wray’s daughter Victoria Riskin, who covers her mother’s career and has some interesting insight into MYstery of the Wax Museum.
• Before and After Comparison: is a 7-minute featurette with Scott MacQueen looking at the source materials and the finished product.

Fans of classic horror need to pick this disc up as soon as possible. One of the best releases of 2020 so far. Highly Recommended. 

Director- Michael Curtiz

Cast- Lionel Atwill, Fay Wray, Glenda Farrell

Country of Origin- US

Discs- 1

Distributor- Warner Archives

Reviewer- Tyler Miller