Another half-remembered movie. had to be pre-WWII-concerned a greek general (played by Karloff), who visits an obscure island…which is inhabited by vampires.
i nevber got to see the ending…anyone know what the title is?
Seems to be 1945’s Isle of the Dead, a Val Lewton film that I’d never even heard of before:
The story makes very little sense, but Karloff is quite good in it. He was having back problems (or some health issue) and filming had to be stopped until he got better. Maybe that’s why the plot felt so disjointed.
The movie was #2 on Scorsese’s top ten list of scary movies, because of a premature burial scene. The movie has some tense scenes but it isn’t the least bit scary, and the burial wasn’t even a burial. The victim was placed in a box in a crypt, the crypt was close to the house where everyone was staying, and the door to the crypt wasn’t even closed. All she had to do when she woke up was yell. Yawn.
It’s worth watching for Val Lewton’s direction and Karloff’s performance.
ETA: I only know this because I went on a Val Lewton kick over Halloween and watched all of his movies over a period of about three days. Good times. 
Although everyone calls it a “Val Lewton” film, the director credited is Mark Robson. See the iMDB site that I cite above.
Many thanks-this flick hasn’t been shown on TV for a long time…thanks to the IMDB, I’ll watch it tonight!
Lewton isn’t credited as directing but he produced it, and his hands are all over it. It’s not as Lewton-ish as Cat People or I Walked With A Zombie, but his marks are there.
ralph124c, let us know what you think.
I’m aware of that, but was pointing out that he was not, in fact, the director.
Actually I’m pretty sure TCM showed it within the last couple of months. It was the first time I’d seen it or even heard of it. I give it 3/5.
Good psychological horror. Dated…but of course, it was made almost 70 years ago. Karloff was a fine actor-pity he got stuck in the monster/horror genre.
Just reading the plot summary makes my neck hairs prickle, it sounds moody, atmospheric, a different kind of setting and right up my alley. This is the kind of movie I would have stayed up late for, years ago. Having seen only bits and pieces, maybe I’ll buy it…
If you’re going to buy it, buy this one. It’s a double feature with Bedlam and Bedlam was excellent. Not horror, more historical, and Karloff is really good in it.
That’s the one I was looking at, less than $8 for two good old movies, I’m there.