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Peter Lorre, Evelyn Keyes, George E. Stone, Don Beddoe, John Tyrrell ... see more see more... , Stanley Brown , Al Seymour , James Seay , Warren Ashe , Charles C. Wilson , George McKay , Ernie S. Adams , Sam Ash , Al Bridge , Mary Currier , John Dilson , Sarah Edwards , Eddie Foster , Almeda Fowler , Joel Friedkin , Jack Gardner , Chuck Hamilton , Al Hill , Wally Merrill , Ralph Peters , Lee Phelps , Lee Prather , Frank Reicher , Claire Rochelle , Lee Shumway , Walter Soderling , Edwin Stanley , Harry Strang , Ben Taggart , Bill Lally , Al Rhein , Victor Travers , Bessie Wade , David Oliver

In this low-budget thriller (which developed something of a cult following among film buffs in the '60s and '70s), Peter Lorre plays Janos Szabo, an immigrant from Hungary who is a skilled craftsman. ... read more read more...After he's caught in a fire, his face is horribly scarred; his terrifying appearance makes it impossible for him to get a job. With nowhere else to turn, Janos begins working for the criminal underworld, where he eventually raises enough money to purchase an expensive mask whose expressionless features are only a slight improvement over his distorted visage, but at least allow him to go out in public. However, Janos begins having second thoughts about his life of crime, especially after he falls in love with Helen (Evelyn Keyes), a kind-hearted blind woman. Director Robert Florey supposedly shot this film and Meet Boston Blackie in a mere 24 days. Florey and Lorre would team up again for another offbeat film buff favorite, The Beast with Five Fingers. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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59% liked it

135 ratings

Unrated, 1 hr. 9 min.

Directed by: Robert Florey

Release Date: January 1, 2003

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Flixster Reviews (12)

  • webalina
    May 25, 2010
    webalina
    This story of a man sinking into a life of crime out of desperation seems like it should be good, and it does start off well. But the ending just didn't sit well with me. No fault of Peter Lorre's. It just seemed awfully vindictive for a character who seemed like an otherwise dec... read moreent human being.
  • RCMerchant
    August 2, 2008
    RCMerchant
    An underated a near forgotton film. Peter Lorre isn't an insane lunatic or bumbling side kick,for once. Here he's a sympathatic immigrant to America,shunned by society because of his hideously burned face. He turns to a life a crime to makes ends meet,and falls in love with a bli... read morend girl. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. (If you can find it. )

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Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz
February 4, 2008
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

The film is a horror story in that it offers a vision of the American Dream turning ugly and wrong. Full Review

September 23, 2010
Variety

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May 6, 2008
New York Times

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October 18, 2008
Time Out

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The Face Behind the Mask Trivia

  • You're walking through the woods when you are stopped dead in your tracks by the sound of a chain saw. Suddenly a man in a leather mask jumps out from behind a tree and starts chasing you through the woods. Who is chasing you?   Answer »
  • You're walking through the woods when you are stopped dead in your tracks by the sound of a chain saw. Suddenly a man in a leather mask jumps out from behind a tree and starts chasing you through the woods. Who is chasing you?   Answer »
  • You're walking through the woods when you are stopped dead in your tracks by the sound of a chain saw. Suddenly a man in a leather mask jumps out from behind a tree and starts chasing you through the woods. Who is chasing you?   Answer »
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