Main Cast: Jack Holt, Constance Cummings, Boris Karloff, Claude King, Bertha Mann
Release Year: 1932
Country: US
Run Time: 68 minutes
Plot
Behind the Mask is a typically virile Jack Holt vehicle, with the hero at one point shooting himself in the arm to establish an alibi! Holt plays a federal agent named Hart who has himself planted in jail as a convict to get the goods on a drug syndicate. Befriending small-time gangster Henderson (Boris Karloff), Hart follows the trail of clues to unmask the head of the syndicate, who turns out to be the supposedly respectable Dr. Steiner (Edward Van Sloan). In the rip-roaring climax, Steiner prepares to perform an "operation" on Hart, gleefully informing his victim that his chances for recovery are next to nil. Because of the presence of Boris Karloff and Edward Van Sloan in the cast, Behind the Mask was included in Screen Gems' "Shock Theater" TV package, even though there's nothing really horrific in the film. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
"Jack Holt meets Frankenstein?" Well, not quite, but that was what the original ad campaign for Behind the Mask would have the ticket buyers believe. And yes, Boris Karloff and Dracula's Edward Van Sloan are both present. But surprisingly, the latter emerges as the film's main fiend and not Karloff, who merely performs another of his odd, British-accented gangsters. In other words, the kindly Dr. Van Helsing is dear old Boris' devilishly clever boss this time around, complete with a sadistic sidekick in nurse Bertha Mann, who nearly steals the show from everyone. In the midst of all this, steely-eyed Jack Holt can do little more than stay out of the fray, look heroic, and romance Constance Cummings, all of which he does with accustomed aplomb. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
