Watch The Boogie Man Will Get You

The Boogie Man Will Get You is a horror-comedy from 1942, directed by Lew Landers and starring beloved horror icons Boris Karloff and Peter Lorre along with boxing champ Maxie Rosenbloom. The film is a unique blend of genres, offering up slapstick comedy moments and scares in equal measure. The story follows a scientist named Professor Nathaniel Billings (Karloff), who buys a rundown hotel with the intention of conducting experiments on it. But when he arrives at the hotel, he finds it in complete disrepair and with only one resident, a strange woman named Winnie (Maude Eburne). Billings quickly realizes that he needs an assistant, and hires handyman and aspiring actor Andrew (Lorre) to help out.

As Billings sets up his laboratory in the hotel, he discovers that the place has a dark history. Legend has it that a boogie man once lived in the attic, and when townspeople tried to get rid of him, a flood destroyed everything. But as Billings works away, he begins to suspect that there might be some truth to these legends, as strange noises begin to emanate from the attic and strange things start happening throughout the hotel.

Add into this mix Maxie Rosenbloom as a former champion boxer turned hotel bouncer, and you have a comedy-horror ensemble that offers up scares, laughs, and some truly over-the-top performances.

One of the standout aspects of The Boogie Man Will Get You is the performance of Boris Karloff, who brings his usual gravitas and menace to the role of Professor Billings. Karloff's scenes are imbued with a sense of foreboding, as he tries to figure out what is happening in the hotel while keeping his experiments going. Even his more comedic moments are tinged with a sense of unease, as you never quite know what he's going to do or say next.

In contrast, Peter Lorre offers up a more comedic performance as the hapless Andrew. Lorre brings his signature sly humor to the role, imbuing Andrew with a likable, bumbling quality that endears him to the audience. Despite his obvious flaws and tendency to get in trouble, Andrew is someone you can't help but root for, making him the perfect counterpoint to Karloff's more sinister Billings.

Maxie Rosenbloom, meanwhile, is a scene-stealer as the lovable but dim-witted bouncer. With his trademark bow-tie and thick Brooklyn accent, Rosenbloom provides plenty of laughs with his physical comedy and unexpected comic timing. His interactions with Lorre and Karloff are particularly notable, adding an extra layer of humor to their already hilarious scenes.

The special effects and cinematography in The Boogie Man Will Get You are also noteworthy. While the film doesn't have the budget for elaborate creature effects or elaborate set pieces, it makes up for it with its innovative use of camera angles and light-and-shadow effects. The attic scenes, in particular, are shot in a way that makes them feel claustrophobic and eerie, giving the impression that something truly nefarious is lurking in the shadows.

Overall, The Boogie Man Will Get You is a fun, entertaining film that offers up something for everyone. Whether you're a fan of horror or comedy, Karloff or Lorre, or just good old-fashioned slapstick, there is plenty to enjoy here. With its unique blend of scares and laughs, this film is a must-see for anyone who loves horror-comedy.

The Boogie Man Will Get You is a 1944 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 6 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8.