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The Age of Commercialism

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

THE MONKEY'S PAW, one of many versions of the classic horror story by W. W. Jacobs, is a rare foray into the horror genre for that notoriously cheap film studio, Butcher's Films. It's a slow-moving potboiler that feels endlessly dragged out even though it runs for little over an hour, and is perhaps of note today for featuring some location photography in Maida Vale.The storyline is a straightforward one about a mummified monkey's paw that has the power to grant the owner three wishes. However, the wishes come true in an unforeseen way. The problem with this tale is that it's brief indeed, and to adapt it would take little more than 20 minutes or so. And that's exactly what happens here: all of the story proper is packed into the last 20 minutes, and before then the viewer must sit through 40 minutes of stodge and non-events. It's a non-starter.It's hard to criticise the film too much, because the film-makers were obviously on a tight budget, and the actors try their best. Director Norman Lee also helmed THE CASE OF CHARLES PEACE and THE DOOR WITH SEVEN LOCKS, and there are bit parts from future stars Alfie Bass and Sydney Tafler.

Mike-764's summation is obviously that of an updated US presentation & not that of the original short story originally set in the '20s by one of Britain's most popular & prolific spinner of yarns with a twist,W W Jacobs.Through the 30s-50s it was a popular choice for Rep groups and BBC Radio and rates with the best - the famed "Sorry,Wrong No!" as a suspencer for the imagination. Small wonder it was a popular choice for the US "Suspense" series. Adaptations from the 50s for film & TV have altered the "McGuffin" but not always for the best. I probably saw this particular version but not recently, so I can't properly rate it. I have,however,read the play & it is that with which I am familiar. Listen to this in the dark in the original version with the original finish which is the real clincher. Who - or what was knocking at the door after that final wish? Would you have opened it?

Monkey's Paw, The (1948) ** (out of 4) British version of the famous story has two elderly folks getting the monkey's paw, which will grant three wishes but usually follows those wishes with tragedy. The father wishes for riches and gets them but his son is killed at the same time. Then, the couple wish for their son to return to life. The horror elements of this thing are discussed and talked about for the first sixty minutes and then finally happen during the last three. I see there are many other versions of this out there and I'm sure one has to be better than this rather disappointing film.

I read the review of the English production. It matches one which was filmed for the TV series, LIGHTS OUT as well as the one for SUSPENSE. This story is the reason that so many short horror and mystery stories broadcast on radio in the 1940's should be brought back by the mega film producers of today.A fine half hour show, broadcast weekly would spellbind their audiences. Hitchcock's, "Hands of Mr. Ottermole" and "Banquo's Chair" were this kind of remake. The fabulous, "Lamb for the Slaughter" was great, but it made murder into a light comedy fantasy.No major staging, no great sets, just ordinary actors in fear and terror trying to get some advantage from this curious monkey's paw was so powerful. The classic radio show and subsequent motion picture 'Sorry, Wrong Number" should make people see the power of the short story.Those jokes about three wishes from a genie in a bottle make light of the potential terror from getting what you wish for, with an amulet made from a monkey's paw.