The Mummy (1932)

In 1921, an archaeological expedition led by Sir Joseph Whemple
(Arthur Byron) finds the mummy of an ancient Egyptian high priest
named Imhotep (Boris Karloff). An inspection of the mummy by
Whemple's friend Dr. Muller (Edward Van Sloan) reveals that the
viscera were not removed, and from the signs of struggling Muller
deduces that although Imhotep had been wrapped like a traditional
mummy, he had been buried alive. Also buried with Imhotep is a
casket with a curse on it. Despite Muller's warning, Sir Joseph's
assistant Ralph Norton (Bramwell Fletcher) opens it and finds an
ancient life-giving scroll, the "Scroll of Thoth". He translates
the symbols and then reads the words aloud. Imhotep rises, the
sight of which snaps Norton's mind and causes him to laugh
hysterically as the Mummy shuffles off with the scroll.


Ten years later, Imhotep has assimilated into a mysterious
Egyptian historian named Ardeth Bey. He calls upon Sir Joseph's
son Frank (David Manners) and Professor Pearson (Leonard Mudie)
and shows them where to dig to find the tomb of the princess
Anck-su-namun. After locating the tomb, the archaeologists
present its treasures to the Cairo Museum, and Ardeth Bey
disappears.


Ardeth soon encounters Helen Grosvenor (Zita Johann), a
half-Egyptian woman bearing a striking resemblance to the
princess. He reveals to her that his horrific death was
punishment for sacrilege: attempting to resurrect his forbidden
lover, Princess Anck-su-namun. Believing her to be
Anck-su-namun's reincarnation, he attempts to kill her, with the
intention of mummifying her, resurrecting her, and finally making
her his immortal bride. Helen is rescued when she remembers her
ancestral past life and prays to the goddess Isis to come to her
aid. The statue of Isis raises its arm and emits a flash that
sets the Scroll of Thoth on fire. This breaks the spell that had
given Imhotep his immortality, causing him to crumble to dust. At
the urging of Dr. Muller, Frank calls Helen back to the world of
the living while the Scroll of Thoth continues to burn.