The Body Snatcher (film)
| The Body Snatcher | |
|---|---|
theatrical poster
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| Directed by | Robert Wise |
| Produced by | Val Lewton |
| Screenplay by |
Philip MacDonald Val Lewton |
| Story by | Robert Louis Stevenson |
| Starring |
Boris Karloff Bela Lugosi Henry Daniell Edith Atwater |
| Music by | Roy Webb |
| Cinematography | Robert De Grasse |
| Edited by | J.R. Whittredge |
| Distributed by | RKO Radio Pictures |
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Release date
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May 25, 1945 |
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Running time
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77 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Body Snatcher is a 1945 horror film directed by Robert Wise based on the short story The Body Snatcher by Robert Louis Stevenson. The film's producer Val Lewton helped adapt the story for the screen, writing under the pen name of "Carlos Keith". The film was marketed with the tagline The screen's last word in shock sensation! The frequent mentions of Burke, Hare, and Dr. Knox, all refer to the West Port murders in 1828.
It was the last film to feature both Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi.
The year is 1831 in Edinburgh. A mother stands in mourning over her son's grave. A medical student, Donald Fettes (Russell Wade), reassures her that her son's body is secure in its final resting place.
Mrs. Marsh (Rita Corday) visits the house of Dr. MacFarlane (Henry Daniell). She is seeking a cure for her daughter Georgina (Sharyn Moffett), who is a paraplegic. Dr. MacFarlane calls upon Fettes, who is one of his students, to examine the girl. MacFarlane suggests surgery for the girl but he cannot perform the operation himself because his teaching position disallows the practice of medicine. Mrs. Marsh is devastated by his refusal.
Later that night, Fettes confesses to the doctor that he is forced to give up his medical studies because of lack of funds. The doctor offers Fettes a job as a lab assistant to help with an experiment he is planning. The doctor also confides to Fettes that not every cadaver that is dissected by him or the students comes directly from the local morgue.
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