Lets face it,most of these smaller companies produced some very bad films. But with an interesting script,and a killer cast with Zucco and Frye manning their post admirably this one really surprises in it's quality. I didn't expect much here. But really this was a pleasant surprise. Also was surprised in the quality of the direction.Sam Newfield a director normally known for his westerns and BAD horror films actually pulls off a good bit of atmospherics here. Amazing to think it's the same man responsible for "I Accuse My Parents" Vampirism is a pretty whupped genre even by the time this film gets to it,but the twin brothers and the dark arts schtick give it some new life.

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.

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.

Clearly a film to play the lower half of a double bill, DEAD MEN WALK is a low-budget entry in the horror genre defeated by its stilted dialog and contrived situations. It's painfully dull and on the level of an Ed Wood film with amateurish acting from everyone except Zucco.Zucco plays a bad doctor who comes back as a vampire (with the assistance of DWIGHT FRYE) to take revenge on his good twin. As shown on TCM, the dialog is as murky as the photography and the print shown was badly in need of restoration.As good Dr. Clayton, Zucco declares that the latest death in the village "was not the cause of any known poison." He is soon visited by his "indestructible" brother who threatens to destroy him. He fires bullets at his evil brother to no avail. The poorly scripted story gets sillier as it goes on.Summing up: No better, but somewhat worse, than dozens of other low-budget horror flicks. This one, unfortunately, shows its "poverty row" origins too clearly. Too slow-paced for its own good despite its brief running time.