The Boogie Man Will Get You (1942)

As might be guessed by its title, The Boogie Man Will Get You is silly stuff. It's also more than a bit scattershot in its approach and not particularly well put together -- and yet it's a film that's almost sure to bring a smile to your lips and keep you engaged in its silliness during most of its brief running time. Make no mistake about it, there's a lot that's wrong with Boogie -- the plot is total nonsense, pieces of it don't fit together, the writing is never as sharp or as amusing or as inventive as one wishes, and it's all clearly ripping off Arsenic and Old Lace. But it's fun and lighthearted and never takes itself seriously, and most viewers will forgive its flaws. Besides, it's a treat to see Boris Karloff and Peter Lorre in a farcical comedy, with the former playing comedic riffs on his familiar mad scientist persona to good effect. Karloff was a wonderful actor whose typecasting prevented him from showing how good he could be, so it's always refreshing to see him playing comedy for a change. And Lorre is simply a stitch, turning in a performance that seems largely improvised; whether or not it is, it still has that spontaneity and freshness of feeling. Even "Slapsy Maxie" Rosenbloom comes off well, and as the lover interests, (Miss) Jeff Donnell and Larry Parks manage to not overstay their welcome. It's all a lot of nonsense, and put together in a rather ramshackle manner, but too much fun to lose any sleep over its flaws. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide