MovieChat Forums > Before Dawn (1933) Discussion > So who was the shuffling "ghost"?

So who was the shuffling "ghost"?

posted 8 years ago by 39-0-13
2 replies | jump to latest

When the Jane Darwell character is scared, we see a man with a twisted foot shuffling along the staircase. Presumably he is wearing the mask we see later on in the film. This mystery man comes back in another scene, but he is never specifically identified. We are supposed to think (I guess) that it is the real villain, but if so how did this "ghost" get in the house, how did he find the hidden room to hide the mask, and why bother with a twisted foot and shuffling. He was very capable of walking normally, especially at a time when he didn't need a disguise. Oh well, it's just atmospheric make believe.

[–] gmbbap 8 years ago

It is Dr. Cornelius,who is wanting the two women to think he is the ghost of Joe Valerie,and Valerie had a busted leg from being shot in it..........and thus will be scared into telling him where the money was moved to.....that's what i got from it anyways........

[–] MsELLERYqueen2 7 years ago

I agree that it's Dr. Cornelius pretending to be the dead man.

The dead man (before he died) confided in Dr. Cornelius in the first scene. He probably even gave him directions to the house, as well as the key. I think he trusted the doctor enough to do all this.

It's implied that Dr. Cornelius murdered him with that injection after getting all that info, but he was a dying man and maybe he died of natural causes.

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Jim Hutton (1934-79) & Ellery Queen = 