The Soul of a Monster
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Will Jason
Rose Hobart
George Macready
Jim Bannon
Jeanne Bates
Erik Rolf
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
When Dr. George Winson, a famous surgeon beloved by all, lies near death as a result of an infection he contracted during surgery, his wife Ann, frustrated at the failed efforts to save her husband, prays to the forces of evil for his salvation. Ann's plea summons the mysterious figure of Lilyan Gregg, who appears at the Winson's door and demands to be left alone with George. Weeks later, George has made a complete recovery, but has also undergone a personality change. To family friend Fred Stevens, Ann confides her suspicions that Lilyan has filled George with poison. On their way to a party one night, Fred presents Ann with a corsage, but when George touches it, the flowers wither and die. As a thunderstorm rages during the party, George hears Lilyan calling him and follows her voice to the restaurant where she is having dinner. When Lilyan accuses George's friends of conspiring against her, George vows to kill anyone who would harm her and decides to leave Ann. One night, as Fred watches Lilyan's apartment from the street below, Lilyan instructs George to kill him with an ice pick. As George stalks Fred through the city streets, Fred, sensing that he is being followed, sees a crucifix lying on the sidewalk and picks it up, driving George away. Later, Fred finds George seated at a restaurant, and after joining him, Fred relates the story of a man who sold his soul to the devil. Disturbed by Fred's story, George leaves the table and goes to see Lilyan, who urges him to kill all those who oppose him. Soon after, George decides to return to his medical practice with Roger Vance. Openly antagonistic toward Vance, George provokes an argument and grabs Vance by his coat lapels. When Vance reaches to restrain George's wrists, he notices that George has no pulse. Disturbed by George's behavior, Vance confides his discovery to Fred, who warns him to avoid George. Ignoring Fred's advice, Vance goes to talk to George but Lilyan interrupts their conversation and accuses Vance of trying to usurp George's medical practice. After Vance leaves the apartment, Lilyan runs him down with her car. Critically injured, Vance is rushed to the hospital, where his life rests in George's hands. As George prepares to operate, Lilyan's voice instructs him to destroy Vance and George obeys, allowing Vance to die. After being arrested for murder, George is released on bail and turns to Fred for help. When George tells Fred that he fears the voice of Lilyan is controlling his actions, Fred counsels him to resist Lilyan and buy back his soul at any cost. George then goes to confront Lilyan, and when he vows to expose her, she pulls out a gun and shoots him. Wounded, George relentlessly pursues her across the room and then pushes her out the window of her apartment. As Ann prays for her husband's soul, George awakens in his sickbed, having dreamed the whole nightmarish incident.
Director
Will Jason
Cast
Rose Hobart
George Macready
Jim Bannon
Jeanne Bates
Erik Rolf
Ernest Hilliard
Harry Strang
Ray Teal
Milt Kibbee
Ruth Lee
Brian O'hara
Ida Moore
Grace Lenard
Edith Evanson
Ann Loos
Clarence Muse
John Tyrrell
Cy Malis
Charles Perry
Buddy Swan
Norman Salling
Al Hill
Charles Sullivan
Crew
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
The working title of this film was Death Walks Alone. The picture opens with the following written prologue: "Into the lives of many come strange realities-into the lives of others come equally strange dreams-weird dreams that shape and guide their destinies. You May have lived or perhaps dreamed the story you are about to see. To many of you it May be grim reality; to others, perhaps just a dream." The following written epilogue closes the film: "For the man who walks with evil walks alone, he who walks with evil has no soul, no hope, he lives but a life without faith and without faith there is no life." Although a Hollywood Reporter production chart places William Wright in the cast, his appearance in the released film has not been confirmed.
