Archaeologists digging in Egypt uncover the 3000-year-old mummy of Im-ho-tep, a prince who was buried alive, with a curse placed on anyone who opens his tomb. The disturbance brings restores life to the mummy, who escapes and assumes the persona of Ardeth Bey (Boris Karloff), a mysterious Egyptian whose one goal is to reincarnate his lover of 3000 years ago. When he believes he sees a shadow of his lost love in lovely young Helen Grosvenor (Zita Johann), only her would-be suitor, Frank Whemple (David Manners), and resourceful Dr. Muller (Edward Van Sloan) can save her from body from being consumed by the soul of a long-dead woman. Thanks to director Karl Freund and an understated performance by horror legend Boris Karloff, THE MUMMY is a dreamlike masterpiece.