The Climax (1944 film)

The Climax is a 1944 American horror film produced by Universal Pictures. The credits state this George Waggner film is based on the 1909 play of the same name by Edward Locke, although the plot has little connection to Locke's play. Originally intended to be a sequel to Universal's remake of the Phantom of the Opera (1943), it featured new characters and a new plot.

The Climax
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	George Waggner
Screenplay by	Curt Siodmak Lynn Starling George Waggner
Story by	Curt Siodmak
Based on	The Climax by Edward Locke
Produced by	George Waggner
Starring	Boris Karloff Susanna Foster Turhan Bey
Music by	Edward Ward
Distributed by	Universal Pictures
Release date	October 20, 1944 (1944-10-20)
Running time	86 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$750,000[1]

Plot

The physician at the Vienna Royal Theatre, Dr. Hohner (Karloff) murders his fiancée, a prima donna, out of obsession and jealousy. Ten years later, he hears another young singer (Foster) who reminds him of the late diva, and is determined to make her sing only for him, even if it means silencing her forever.

Cast

• Boris Karloff as Dr. Friedrich Hohner
• Susanna Foster as Angela Klatt
• Turhan Bey as Franz Munzer
• Gale Sondergaard as Luise
• Thomas Gomez as Count Seebruck
• June Vincent as Marcellina
• George Dolenz as Amato Roselli
• Ludwig Stössel as Carl Baumann
• Jane Farrar as Jarmila Vadek
• Ernő Verebes as Brunn
• Lotte Stein as Mama Hinzl
• Scotty Beckett as The King
• William Edmunds as Leon, the theater concierge
• Maxwell Hayes as Count Romburg, the King's aide
• Dorothy Lawrence as Miss Metzger
• Francis Ford as Backstage Attendant (uncredited)

Production

The film was originally conceived as a sequel to Phantom of the Opera (1943).^[2] The Climax was made using the sets of the Phantom of the Opera remake, which in turn used Universal's opera house set for the original Phantom of the Opera (1925). Choreography was by Lester Horton. The film was also nominated for an Academy Award in 1944 for Best Art Direction (John B. Goodman, Alexander Golitzen, Russell A. Gausman, Ira S. Webb).

Reception

The Climax was a box office disappointment.^[1]

Home media

This film, along with Night Key, Tower of London, The Strange Door and The Black Castle, was released on DVD in 2006 by Universal Studios as part of The Boris Karloff Collection.

In 2020, it was released in high definition as part of Scream Factory’s Universal Horror Collection, Vol. 4 blu ray set.

See also

• The Climax (1930), a film based on the same play
• List of American films of 1944
• Boris Karloff filmography