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This movie which
stars Lou Gossett, Jr., Eric Lutes, Amy Locane, Richard Karn, and Lloyd Bochner
is a production based on Bram Stoker's book The Jewel of
the Seven Stars.
Didn't know Bram Stoker wrote about mummies? Well, yes,
after he did Dracula--in 1903 his book was published and it has served as an inspiration
to many mummy script writers and directors.
This Mummy is re-located to Marin County, California--though it's hard to tell that except for the
obligatory shots of San Francisco. It tells the story of an archaeologist named Trelawny
(Bochner) who once discovered the cursed tomb of the Egyptian princess Tera. Strange and
bad things happen to some of those in attendance at the discovery--but Trelawny has other
plans.
The movie is essentially a
mystery:
At
the beginning, Trelawny, alone in his study with many Egyptian artifacts, is attacked by a
mummy. He falls into a strange coma-like state, but a tape recording gives instructions:
(1) he is not to be taken to a hospital, (2) he is to be kept in his study with two
people present at all times (just tell that to his HMO!) and (3) no one is to remove the
key around his wrist.
The
movie then proceeds to unravel the secrets that Trelawny has been keeping from his
motherless daughter (Locane), her boyfriend (Lutes), his friend (Karn), and others,
including a police detective, a chauffeur, a number of servants, and Lou Gossett Jr. (who
adds a lot of class to the whole enterprise). Some of the characters definitely belong in
a Miss Marple movie (too many English accents for Marin County), but that just adds to the
fun.
Some things don't make
sense (there are many mummies lurking and lots of dripping blood--and some of the servants
seem to go on vacation by the end of the movie) and the movie is quite unintentionally
funny (absolutely great for a midnight mummy party!)...but you can't stop watching.
The last half hour
has been set up nicely...is it time for a resurrection or not? Where will it take place?
What the heck has Trelawny been up to with all of these Egyptian mummies and artifacts?
And, please, would somebody find the key to the tomb? Some of the best ideas are
throw-aways, but it is still satisfying in a bad mummy-movie way. And just wait till you see
the surprise that Princess Tera has been hiding beneath her mummy wrappings! Perfect for a
mummy-movie itch!
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