The Face Behind the Mask (1941)

59% of users liked it
(135 ratings)

In this low-budget thriller (which developed something of a cult following among film buffs in the '60s and '70s), Peter Lorre plays Janos Szabo, an immigrant from Hungary who is a skilled craftsman. After he's caught in a fire, his face is horribly scarred; his terrifying appearance makes it… More In this low-budget thriller (which developed something of a cult following among film buffs in the '60s and '70s), Peter Lorre plays Janos Szabo, an immigrant from Hungary who is a skilled craftsman. After he's caught in a fire, his face is horribly scarred; his terrifying appearance makes it impossible for him to get a job. With nowhere else to turn, Janos begins working for the criminal underworld, where he eventually raises enough money to purchase an expensive mask whose expressionless features are only a slight improvement over his distorted visage, but at least allow him to go out in public. However, Janos begins having second thoughts about his life of crime, especially after he falls in love with Helen (Evelyn Keyes), a kind-hearted blind woman. Director Robert Florey supposedly shot this film and Meet Boston Blackie in a mere 24 days. Florey and Lorre would team up again for another offbeat film buff favorite, The Beast with Five Fingers. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 9 min.
Directed By: Robert Florey
Written By: Paul Jarrico, Arthur Levinson, Thomas Edward O'Connell
Genres: Drama, Horror, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Jan 1, 2003 Wide

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The film is a horror story in that it offers a vision of the American Dream turning ugly and wrong.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Cindy I

This story of a man sinking into a life of crime out of desperation seems like it should be good, and it does start off well. But the ending just didn't sit well with me. No fault of Peter Lorre's. It just seemed awfully vindictive for a character who seemed like an… More
This story of a man sinking into a life of crime out of desperation seems like it should be good, and it does start off well. But the ending just didn't sit well with me. No fault of Peter Lorre's. It just seemed awfully vindictive for a character who seemed like an otherwise decent human being.

Cast

            Peter Lorre as Janos Szabo

            Evelyn Keyes as Helen Williams

            George E. Stone as Dinky

            Don Beddoe as Jim O'Hara

            John Tyrrell as Watts

            Stanley Brown as Harry

            Al Seymour as Benson

            James Seay as Jeff

            Warren Ashe as Johnson

            Charles C. Wilson as Chief O'Brien

            George McKay as Terry Finnegan

            Ernie S. Adams
            
            Sam Ash as Mike Cary

            Al Bridge as Horgan

            Mary Currier as Nurse Kritzer

            John Dilson as Anderson

            Sarah Edwards as Mrs. Perkins

            Eddie Foster as City Slicker

            Almeda Fowler
            
            Joel Friedkin as Mr. Perkins

            Jack Gardner as Man at Fire

            Chuck Hamilton as Gas Station Attendant

            Al Hill as Horton

            Wally Merrill as Joe

            Ralph Peters as Cook

            Lee Phelps as Brown

            Lee Prather as Immigration Officer

            Frank Reicher as Dr. Cheever

            Claire Rochelle as Nurse Bailey

            Lee Shumway as Policeman

            Walter Soderling as Harris

            Edwin Stanley as Dr. Beckett

            Harry Strang as Clerk Stimson

            Ben Taggart as Dr.Jones

            Bill Lally as Wilson

            Al Rhein
            
            Victor Travers as Man

            Bessie Wade as Woman

            David Oliver as Steward
See full cast