The mysterious killing of a famous writer in Calcutta prompts authorities to consult Madame Rosalie La Grange, a reputedly successful medium. At the seance, the writer's best friend is killed just as he is about to reveal the murderer's identity... "Recently made available after having been legally withheld for some 40 years, this is the second of three versions of the classic stage chiller. It's no major cinematic rediscovery, but it is fascinating as the first collaboration between star Bela Lugosi and director Tod Browning a full year before their classic Dracula. Lugosi's theatrical bravura is totally unrestrained, as are his facial gestures and body movements; 'nuances' would be a totally alien word to apply to Lugosi's acting tricks here, but it is a sheer joy to watch and listen to them. Although billed relatively low in MGM's casting hierarchy, he virtually has the lead as the investigating detective, while Conrad Nagel's nominal hero has little more to do than murmur a frequent and obedient 'Coming, mother!' Made before as an early silent, and remade as a much slicker film in 1937 (when it had the dubious honor of being the first film to receive Britain's new 'H' for horror certificate, limiting it to adults only) this 13th Chair is creaky with a vengeance.... But it's basically a good mystery story of the old school... and slow or not, it holds attention, and was a surprise hit at 1:30 in the morning in last year's Telluride Film Festival. Incidently, the play was originally written for Margaret Wycherly (better known as James Cagney's Ma in White Heat) and she barnstormed with it for years before transferring her performance to this celluloid version. Dame May Whitty played the role in the later remake, with Lewis Stone making a rather less sinister detective than Lugosi!" --William K. Everson