THE MAD GHOUL PRESSBOOK AND GALLERY

Considered by many to be only a minor entry in the classic Universal horror film series is THE MAD GHOUL. Released on 12 November 1943, it was directed by Joseph P. Hogan, which was his last film and the only monster movie he helmed. The Universal casting office trotted out their current B-list of stars to fill the roles: George Zucco, Turhan Bey, Evelyn Ankers, David Bruce, Robert Armstrong and Milburn stone.

The rather bizarre story of a scientist who tinkers with an ancient Mayan life-preserving process to the usual ill-results, was scripted by Paul Gangelin and Brenda Weisberg after a story by Hans Kraly, who all had virtually no experience in the horror genre.

Besides the recognizable cast, the standout of the film was Jack Pierce's makeup work that transformed David Bruce into the titular ghoul/zombie. He fell back on his technique used over a decade before on Boris Karloff for his role as The Mummy, albeit a lighter version. Pierce employed a cotton and collodion application to Bruce's face to give him an "undead" look. Pierce would only work for Universal for 3 more years before he was given the boot by the executive office, who hired Bud Westmore, and would work for them for the next two decades.

Featured here today is an article about THE MAD GHOUL from FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND #180, a lobby card set and THE MAD GHOUL pressbook.