"Dead Men Walk" would not qualify as a great film in any universe, but with a bigger budget it might have been worth seeing more than once. George Zucco plays twin brothers, one a straight arrow and the other a black sheep who tinkers with the occult; the straight arrow kills his evil twin, who is resurrected as a vampire with the help of his bug-eyed servant (Dwight Frye). Predictable horror shenanigans ensue. If you've seen the dour, dignified Zucco in any of his more lavishly-budgeted pictures, like "Dr. Renault's Secret" or "The Mad Ghoul", then you know that he was perfectly capable of carrying a film...but "Dead Men Walk" refuses to be carried. It's shabby-looking, packed with the kind of tight shots favored by Poverty Row studios and which made their films look as if they'd been lensed in a single corner of someone's tiny house. The dialogue is conspicuously purple, even for a horror flick, and occasionally almost schizophrenic: in one breath a character solemnly reflects on "vampires lying in unholy repose, their teeth stained with the blood of the living", but drawls, "Shucks! I'm scared as the dickens!" in the next. (I'm not quoting directly from the film, but I'm not far off, either.) The acting is competent but utterly lacks conviction; even Dwight Frye is phoning it in. These folks were making a stinker and they knew it.

One of the most creaky, clumsy, talky Horror films of the forties. It talks and talks with pregnant pauses and one of worst acting performances by a lead ever seen on the screen. This Nedrick Young (the love interest) behaves like one of the walking dead.George Zucco is more odd looking than talented and is just about as stiff in all of his roles but here we get two for one. You know you are in trouble when virtually the only thing remotely interesting on screen is the hunchback, Dwight Frye who was also the original Renfield in Dracula (1931) and Fritz in the original Frankenstein (1932). These other films are included in this review just because this is such an empty, slow, inept, and stuffy entry in the low budget lexicon of Horror, that there is not much else to say.Except, the current prints available are so shoddy and the audio and visuals are so muddy that it makes it even more painful to watch than need be. Even with a pristine print it would be lifeless.

Evil occultist Elwyn Clayton (marvelously played to the deliciously diabolical hilt by George Zucco) returns from the grave as a predatory vampire to exact revenge on his kindly physician twin brother Lloyd (a sympathetic portrayal by Zucco) and his family. While the premise certainly has promise and the movie boasts a few effectively creepy moments, overall this picture fails to add up to much due to Fred Myton's talky script, a draggy pace, and a crippling lack of action, energy and excitement. That said, Sam Newfield's competent direction manages to create and sustain a properly spooky and brooding atmosphere throughout. Moreover, the sound acting from the sturdy cast just about holds things together: the always great Zucco excels in his juicy dual role, Dwight Frye gives a lively and inspired performance as Elwyn's crazed loyal servant Zolarr, Al St. John is amusing as a comic relief local yokel, plus there are nice turns by the fetching Mary Carlisle as Lloyd's sweet niece Gayle, Nedrick Young as Gayle's concerned, practical suitor Dr. David Bently, Fern Emmett as paranoid doomsayer Kate, and Hal Price as the earnest, but ineffectual sheriff. Jack Greenhalgh's stark black and white cinematography and Leo Erddody's shuddery score are both up to par. The rousing fiery conclusion likewise hits the stirring spot. But this film is still too static and plodding to amount to anything more than a merely passable time-waster.

George Zucco sinks his teeth into dual roles as good and evil twins, one a friendly town physician, Dr. Lloyd Clayton, and the other, occultist brother Elwyn who had discovered the power of vampirism while away in another country(..also known as a devil worshiper who studied and dabbled in sorcery). Accused of murdering his brother, by Elwyn's loyal assistant, Zolarr(Dwight Frye, yet playing another hunchbacked fiend), Lloyd is soon confronted by him after attacking a female victim within the town. Claiming revenge for being pushed off a cliff, Elwyn promises to ruin Lloyd's life, and starts by draining his beloved daughter, Gayle(Mary Carlisle)of her blood. Gayle, slowly dying due to anemia, Lloyd starts debating his sanity, and soon accepts, despite common logic dictating otherwise, that Elwyn is in fact a vampire, and must convince his daughter's fiancé, David(Nedrick Young)as well. As more people are killed(..such as local snoop, Kate(Fern Emmett), considered the superstitious town loony, who stumbles onto Elwyn's hiding place and is executed by Zolarr), the town hicks become restless and scared, forming a mob that will accuse Lloyd of committing the deeds after overhearing David's threats towards him to the sheriff(Hal Price), considering him the one responsible for Gayle's weakening and deteriorating state. But, when David himself sees Elwyn, returning to antagonize his brother Lloyd, they set out a plan to stop him and Zolarr of their conniving evil schemes to endanger innocents. Lloyd faces insurmountable odds as the town mob set out to find him while he searches for Elwyn's lair, also confronting Zolarr in a climactic battle of good vs. evil.Zucco and Frye are the definite draws for this little horror tale which operates using the traditional vampire themes. It was certainly neat seeing Zucco getting a chance to portray not only the compassionate, caring doctor who faces daunting challenges as nearly everyone sides against him, but also the vile, malevolent vampire brother who uses unbelief as a weapon. Frye doesn't have to stretch since he has portrayed this same kind of character numerous times, but it's always fun watching him playing these devious, slimy, animated villains who work valiantly for their masters. Young and Carlisle are colorless, but the roles of loving couple caught in the middle of a war between the forces of good and evil have never demanded much for the actor and actress who portrayed them. There's nothing that original in this film(..and it is rather predictable), but it's rare that you get to see Zucco as a vampire and hero, so that gives DEAD MEN WALK an allure. Typical of the vampire genre, Lloyd can only awaken at night, fears the crucifix, and is susceptible to death by fire..also, his loyal servant, Zolarr, must watch over his casket during the day, proving that despite his supernatural powers, he's vulnerable. Interesting enough, Elwyn's main weakness is returning to torment Lloyd.