As Good as 1953 version?

MWM is infinitely better than HOW.

HOW has some very nice touches, like the unusually restrained use of 3-D, so that it shows well even in 2-D, with only one or two literally "in your face" moments. Vincent Price also gives a restrained performance, which is at times genuinely chilling. Phyllis Kirk is willowy and lovely to look at, but comes across as strangely un-sympathetic at times.

MWM is by far the better film, despite its age and it holds up well. Who could ever play the damsel in distress better than beauteous Fay Wray -in radiant shades of two-strip Technicolor, no less?

Glenda Farrel as the fast-talking, wise-cracking reporter steals the show in with her barnstorming performance.

Lionel Atwill puts in one of the most under-rated performances of modern times as Ivan Igor, lending dignity, pathos, humor and even depth to what is essentially a creaking door melodrama.

Director Michael Curtiz and set designer Anton Grot create a masterful and almost subliminal world of dark corners, heavy shadows, eerie light and color effects (notice the weird shift of light/color when the killer throws the switch during the finale).

Finally, makeup artist Max Factor (yes, THAT Max Factor) created what truly deserves to be ranked as one of the most horrific images ever to be presented on screen. The "mask effects" as he termed them, rival and even surpass the shock effect of Frankenstein, The Wolf Man and Mr. Hyde.

"If you don't know the answer -change the question."

I preferred Mystery because the plot was a little more complicated and the two main actresses had a bit more charm. I also like that old look that it had since it was a film of the 30s.

I think the monkeys at the zoo should have to wear sunglasses so they can't hypnotize you.

I personally think the '53 version is better, but perhaps it's just because Im a huge Vincent Price fan.

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Death is but a door, time is but a window...I will be back.

MWM is by far the better of the two movies, IMO.

MWM comes as an extra on the HofW dvd in Australia so I watched 1933 first and 1953 second.

I was sadly disappointed in HofW, despite being a Vincent Price fan. The 1933 movie has far better production values, a more interesting script and better performances. Vincent Price in fact is the only plus in the later movie but even he can't carry what is esentially a cheap exploitation of the 3D craze at the time.

I think it's better. Much more creepy -- I think it's because it was not produced under the influence of the Hayes Code.

This is definitely the superior version. Better working of the plot, better dialog, and a far better cast (though you DO miss Vincent Price).

Death is...whimsical today.

The only really cool thing about HOW was Vincent Price stealing around in the cape.
The bad guy in MWM seemed a lot smarter than Vincent Price's character, and the plot wasn't rushed along as much. I thought the remake gave away too much early in the film, and then had nowhere to go in the second half.

"So it goes" -Slaughterhouse Five

I'm going to be the strongly dissenting minority here... My wife and I rented (the 1953) HOW last night and realized that MWM was sandwiched with it on the DVD. After reading these many raves about how MWM is "infinitely" better than HOW, we eagerly watched the earlier film tonight, 24 hours after watching the remake.

Although I respect everybody's opinions here, my gut says you are all wrong, and you are all crazy. :) I found HOW much more entertaining and well-made.

What MWM has going for it is its expressionistic set design and lighting. And an interesting angle on the assistant sculptor being a junkie instead of a drunk. But that's about it, as far as I'm concerned. HOW fleshes out a lot of story points: you get a better feel for the sculptor's obsession with his Marie Antoinette in the later movie, and his story of revenge is better plotted, too - there's simply much more suspense. Even the jokes are funnier. The 1953 feels practically contemporary in its pacing and dark humor. I realize that, MWM being an early talkie, an exciting soundtrack isn't to be expected, but its lack of music is definitely a detriment, betraying its staginess, whereas B-movie composer David Buttolph (sorry about the surname, pal) adds a lot of punch to HOW with his high-strung score.

And the cast! Vincent Price's warmth and humanity are hands down better than Lionel Atwill's mannered performance. And while Carolyn Jones displays none of the wry humor that made her so charming on The Addams Family, she's perfectly likable in HOW, whereas Faye Wray in MWM proves once again that her only talent was for screaming. As for Glenda Farrell, I found her comic performance here a little weak. Her snappy patter fell flat. She's no Ginger Rogers.

Still, it is fascinating to see how many people ardently prefer MWM, which I found to be a stiff curiosity, over the lurid, at times hammy, but never boring HOW. But I do thank you all for inspiring me to watch the 1933 original!