The Red House (1947), Delmer Daves.

Forget what Leonard Maltin says, there are not three stars anywhere to be found here.  Yes, Robinson is a strong performer and so is the lovely Allene Roberts as Robinson's daughter Meg.  Yes, there's a disturbing bone-chiller under there somewhere but the execution of the film is so ham-fisted that the tension disappears, re-emerges, then goes slack again...etc.  The mystery is doled out in little bits then pours down in a torrent, making the final scenes redundant.  The version I watched was a terrible print from the Hollywood Tough Guys DVD series.  Avoid this version if you can, parts of the screen were entirely black for moments at a time.  The Red House is a prime candidate for a remake.  I suggest casting Alec Baldwin as the father!   

The Return of Chandu (1934), Ray Taylor.

How refreshing to see Bela Lugosi paternal, protective and possibly even romantic.  This to me is so typically 1930s:  elegant and tinged with Orientalism.  In the story, Egyptian princess Nadji is at risk of being kidnapped by the priest of a mysterious cult who wishes to sacrifice her, thereby transferring her soul into the body of the cult's dead priestess.  In other words, the same plot as The Mummy (1999)! 

This is a serial B that originated as a radio program.  Initially in Chandu the Magician (1932), Lugosi was the evil nemesis but here he stars as Chandu, also known to a family of well-to-do wonderbread Californians as Uncle Frank. Each segment is 20 minutes long and ends with a crazy cliffhanger.  Loved it!  

 

 Slightly embarrassed henchmen praying to Bast in kitten garb.