Learned about this classic WB film on Reddit yesterday.

You can watch the full movie (its only 54 minutes) for free on YouTube. Sh! The Octopus

From Wiki

quote:
Sh! The Octopus is a 1937 comedy-mystery film produced by Warner Bros., directed by William McGann and starring Hugh Herbert, Allen Jenkins and Marcia Ralston. While contract players Herbert and Jenkins frequently appeared in the same picture, this is the only movie to present them as an actual team. The film's oddball qualities have made it something of a cult favorite.

quote:
Herbert and Jenkins play two bumbling detectives, who, in pursuit of a master criminal, The Octopus, find themselves inside a haunted lighthouse full of suspicious characters, including the titular character, who appears to be an actual octopus.

LINK

At first glance, there is nothing special about this movie compared to other comedy mystery films of the time. You have the requisite creepy location, classic monster movie thunder/lightning, and the locals who know more than they're willing to tell the man who just inherited said creepy location. However, the reason it was trending yesterday isn't b/c of the story, acting, or that it rivals an Abbott and Costello monster crossover. The real reason to watch is a practical special effect used late in the film that is very striking even today.

Spoiler for the effect and end of the film

quote:
The transformation scene was done in much the same way the beginning part of the transformation was done on Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931). The actress was made up in exaggerated highlights and shadows (including her teeth) using a single color shade of makeup. When filmed through a filter the same shade as the makeup, it's invisible to the camera. Take the filter away and the makeup suddenly becomes visible. Besides a filter, the makeup can also be hidden by similar-colored light. This type of trick was only possible on black-and-white film.

LINK

While the actual process to creating the effect is relatively low tech, the seamless transition is still quite impressive and must have blown the minds of audiences in the 30s.

This post was edited on 7/1/20 at 12:35 pm