Open Rehearsal: The Court Theatre Blog
October 21, 2009
Mystery Allusion #2 - THE MUMMY
Charles Ludlam’s knowledge of literature was formidable, and he peppered The Mystery of Irma Vep with canny allusions. We’re featuring several of those allusions every week until the opening of The Mystery of Irma Vep. Today’s selection is:
THE MUMMY
BACKGROUND: Karl Freund’s 1932 film The Mummy invented a new role for horror star Boris Karloff, who had starred as the monster in Frankenstein the previous year. (Jack Pierce did Karloff’s makeup for both Frankenstein and The Mummy.) Inspired by the 1922 discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb, the film tells the story of Imhotep, an ancient Egyptian priest mummified alive who is accidentally resurrected by archaeologists in modern times. Disguising himself as a modern Egyptian named Ardath Bey, Imhotep uses the Scroll of Toth to help him resurrect the soul of his ancient lover, Princess Ankh-es-en-amon.
THE ALLUSION: Lord Edgar (Erik Hellman) is not only landed gentry but an accomplished Egyptologist and sarcophologist. Accompanied by Alcazar, a suspicious guide, he goes to Cairo to unearth the tomb of Egyptian princess Pev Amri.
The trailer for The Mummy:
Check this blog again for a brand new Ludlam literary trick!
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