The Monkey's Paw (1933 film)
| The Monkey's Paw | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Wesley Ruggles Ernest B. Schoedsack (uncredited) |
| Screenplay by | Graham John W. W. Jacobs Louis N. Parker |
| Based on | "The Monkey's Paw" by W. W. Jacobs |
| Produced by | Pandro S. Berman Merian C. Cooper |
| Starring | Ivan F. Simpson Louise Carter C. Aubrey Smith |
| Cinematography | Edward Cronjager Jack MacKenzie J.O. Taylor Leo Tover |
| Edited by | Charles L. Kimball |
| Music by | Max Steiner (uncredited) |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | RKO Radio Pictures |
Release date |
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Running time | 58 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $100,000 |
The Monkey's Paw is a 1933 American pre-Code horror film co-directed by Ernest B. Schoedsack (prologue) and Wesley Ruggles, based on the short story "The Monkey's Paw" (1902) by W. W. Jacobs. It tells of a family who obtains a cursed monkey paw that grants three wishes. Because the film was shorter than anticipated after the initial shooting, the producers added a prologue. Though the film was not widely viewed upon its release in the United States, it was well-liked in England. Critical reviews were mixed, ranging from an appreciation of its suspense to a dislike of its plot, particularly its deus ex machina ending. It has been considered a lost film, but parts of it were rediscovered in 2016.