"Jack Holt meets Frankenstein?" Well, not quite, but that was what the original ad campaign for Behind the Mask would have the ticket buyers believe. And yes, Boris Karloff and Dracula's Edward Van Sloan are both present. But surprisingly, the latter emerges as the film's main fiend and not Karloff, who merely performs another of his odd, British-accented gangsters. In other words, the kindly Dr. Van Helsing is dear old Boris' devilishly clever boss this time around, complete with a sadistic sidekick in nurse Bertha Mann, who nearly steals the show from everyone. In the midst of all this, steely-eyed Jack Holt can do little more than stay out of the fray, look heroic, and romance Constance Cummings, all of which he does with accustomed aplomb.
by Hans J. Wollstein
review
