The Mummy (lost deleted scenes from Universal horror film; 1932)

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Themummy1932poster.jpg

The original theatrical poster for The Mummy.

Status: Lost

The Mummy is a 1932 American horror film directed by Karl Freund. The original story by Nina Wilcox Putnam and Richard Schayer was adapted by John L Balderston for the movie. Released by Universal Studios, it stars Boris Karloff as the Mummy.

Plot

The mummy, an Ancient Egyptian high priest named Imhotep, is discovered by archaeologists and brought back to life with a magic scroll. The mummy disguises itself as a man named Ardeth Bay and searches for his love, as he believes she has been reincarnated as a modern-day woman.

Deleted Scenes And Availability

The mummy's lost love, Helen (played by Zita Johann, who believed in reincarnation), can be seen in a flashback as Princess Anckesenamon. However, more scenes showcasing Helen's past lives were filmed.

These scenes had her appear as a Christian martyr who was devoured by lions, an 8th century Saxon princess who commits suicide after her stockade ends in her enemy's hands (it has to be noted that, during the credits, a Saxon warrior is listed), a 13th century "Lady of the Castle" who's pursued by the affection of a Crusader; and an 18th-century French court lady standing by a Versailles fountain.[1]

These scenes were cut very late in the film's production, as one can see from the Saxon warrior credit. Johann's claims these scenes were cut for two reasons: "She’d snubbed a smitten Junior Laemmle and asked him not to pick up her contract, so Junior responded by spitefully cutting her showcase sequence" and "they had to protect Karloff".[1]

In the late 1980s, Universal searched for these scenes for the film's home media release, but to no avail.[1] Only pictures remain.

Video

A fanmade slideshow featuring pictures from the deleted scenes.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Mank, Gregory W. (2009). Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff: The Expanded Story of a Haunting Collaboration, with a Complete Filmography of Their Films Together. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Co., Publishers. p. 134. ISBN 9780786434800. OCLC 607553826