The Mummy | |
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![]() Theatrical release poster by Karoly Grosz[1] | |
Directed by | Karl Freund |
Screenplay by | John L. Balderston |
Story by | |
Produced by | Carl Laemmle Jr. |
Starring | |
Cinematography | Charles Stumar |
Edited by | Milton Carruth |
Music by | James Dietrich |
Production company | |
Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
Release date |
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Running time | 73 minutes[2] |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $196,000[3] |
The Mummy is a 1932 American pre-Code supernatural horror film directed by Karl Freund. The screenplay by John L. Balderston was adapted from a treatment written by Nina Wilcox Putnam and Richard Schayer. Released by Universal Studios as a part of the Universal Classic Monsters franchise, the film stars Boris Karloff, Zita Johann, David Manners, Edward Van Sloan and Arthur Byron.
In the film, Karloff stars as Imhotep, an ancient Egyptian mummy who was killed for attempting to resurrect his dead lover, Anck-es-en-Amon. After being discovered and accidentally brought to life by a team of archaeologists, he disguises himself as a modern Egyptian named Ardath Bey and searches for Anck-es-en-Amon, whom he believes has been reincarnated in the modern world.
Whilst less profitable than its predecessors Dracula and Frankenstein, The Mummy was still a commercial and critical success, becoming culturally influential and spawning several sequels, spin-offs, remakes, and reimaginings.[4]