The Monkey's Paw (1948)

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

I gave this film a 9 out of 10, because it was exactly what I expected it to be.

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

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.

Based on the famous story written by W.W. Jacobs, The Monkey's Paw is directed by Norman Lee who also co-adapts the screenplay with Barbara Toy. It stars Milton Rosmer, Megs Jenkins, Michael Martin Harvey, Eric Micklewood and Brenda Hogan. Filmed out of Kay Carlton Studio, music is by Stanley Black and cinematography by Bryan Langley.Story finds the Trelawne family purchasing a fabled Monkey's Paw from a peddler, it is said to be an item that can grant three wishes, but many believe that those wishes come at a cost. The Trelawne family is about to find out if the tale of The Monkey's Paw is fact or fiction...It's such a strong premise in story it has been mined many a time over the decades, in film, radio and television. Here we go back to a time of British cinema of minimal budgets, straight backed delivery of scripts and economical running times of just an hour. Norman Lee's film is a splendid piece of atmospheric unease that makes the most of some sparse but effective sets, however, that is on proviso you can allow for its obvious limitations. It's safe to say this will not terrify anybody, but it has the capacity to tingle the spine as the story builds to a finale played out in the flashes and bangs of a thunder storm. Right there, before a cheeky coda, suggestion is everything, proof once more that quite often what you don't see is more frightening...It's no must see lost British Chiller Classic, and the best available print from Renown Pictures Ltd (paired with The House in Marsh Road) is still scratchy and has the odd reel jump and unintentional patches of blackness, but it's still a watchable print and of interest to those with a bent for really old British chillers. 6.5/10

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?

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.