Before Freddy vs Jason and Alien vs Predator, there was a horror cross-over that was actually worth seeing and it was made decades before.

Obviously, if you’re going to make a cross-over, make sure the stars from the originals can star. Hence, the fact that Lon Chaney Jr and Bela Lugosi appear in this film made sure it wouldn’t suck.

And it doesn’t! Plenty of atmosphere, more dry ice than a Sisters of Mercy gig and a scrap between two of the big hitters from Universal’s horror canon. Pass me the popcorn.

There’s something very tragic about Chaney’s character forever looking for a cure to his condition. It reminds me of Bruce Banner in the original Incredible Hulk TV series. This provides a fantastic layer of melancholia to events.

The idea of a cross-over must have blown minds in 1943. What a great concept to get bums on seats and entertain countless audiences. Oh, and distract from the real-life horrors of the era.

4 out of 5 stars