Watch Bowery at Midnight

Bowery at Midnight is a 1942 American horror-thriller film directed by Wallace Fox, and starring Bela Lugosi, John Archer, and Wanda McKay. The movie follows the story of a psychology professor who leads a double life as the head of a criminal gang operating out of a soup kitchen in New York's Bowery district. The movie begins with Lugosi's character, Professor Brenner, introducing a lecture on criminology at his university. Brenner's colleagues, however, are unaware of his criminal behavior, as he operates a soup kitchen in the Bowery, which acts as the hub of his gang's illegal activities. From this base, Brenner and his associates stage a series of heists dressed in the garb of priests and nuns to avoid suspicion.

However, as the story progresses, it becomes clear that Professor Brenner has a darker side to him. With his criminal acts, he preys on the most vulnerable in society - the homeless, and the mentally ill. He utilizes the vulnerable as test subjects for his twisted experiments involving mind control, and he is willing to murder anyone who opposes him or attempts to thwart his evil designs.

The movie takes a turn as Brenner is closeted in his lab when a police raid his soup kitchen. In the edge that ensues, one of his test subjects, a mentally ill man, escapes from the lab and tells the police about the mad scientist's heinous experiments. As the police continue their investigation, Brenner becomes increasingly paranoid, and he orders his henchmen to eliminate them. The movie then becomes a chase and cat-and-mouse game between Brenner and the police, with multiple plot twists and suspenseful moments.

Bela Lugosi delivers a fantastic performance in the role of Brenner, with his natural air of sinister authority, perfect for the demands of the character. He creates a creeping sense of dread that builds throughout the movie, as his hunt for more subjects for his experiments grows increasingly depraved. John Archer, who played the role of a police lieutenant, is respectable in his role, providing a fitting counterpoint to the villainous Brenner. McKay's character is somewhat underused, contributing little to the plot but serving as the love interest for Archer, the film's hero.

The movie showcases a mix of a horror and thriller genre that is almost unique for its time. It offers an unpredictable plot that provides moments of suspense and a few good twists, which keeps viewers engaged throughout the run time. The film's direction is well-paced and keeps viewers in anticipation, even in those scenes where no significant action or dialogue takes place. The climax is satisfying, and it brings the film to a thrillingly gruesome conclusion that is sure to leave a lasting impression on the viewers.

Overall, Bowery at Midnight is a great watch for anyone who enjoys horror, thrillers, or Lugosi's acting. It provides a unique and well-executed story that is both wicked and entertaining. However, audiences who are sensitive to certain graphic scenes in films or are expecting a modern horror movie might find its age and the cinematic techniques used in the film hard to appreciate. But, for those who enjoy a good classic horror movie, Bowery at Midnight is a definite must-watch. So, if you are looking for a classic horror-thriller film and have an appreciation for timeless horror movies, Bowery at Midnight is an amazing film to watch.

Bowery at Midnight is a 1942 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 1 minute. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.3.