The Mummy’s Tomb

The Mummy’s Tomb

Year: 1942

Runtime: 61 mins

Language: English

Director: Harold Young

HorrorFantasyHorror the undead and monster classicsCreepy chilling and terrifying horrorChilling experiments and classic monster horror

A vengeful high priest of Karnak brings the living mummy Kharis (Lon Chaney Jr.) to the United States, intent on exacting retribution on the descendants of those who robbed the tomb of Egyptian princess Ananka three decades earlier. Their relentless pursuit of the cursed intruders drives the film’s chilling horror.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Mummy’s Tomb (1942)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Mummy’s Tomb (1942). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Early 1940s

The action unfolds in the early 1940s, set against a rural American town during the World War II era. A frame narrative ties a contemporary evening to a centuries-old curse, blending small-town life with epic mythic danger. The looming war atmosphere heightens the sense of peril as the mummy re-emerges.

Location

Mapleton, Massachusetts, Egypt

The story pivots between Mapleton, a quiet American town with a cemetery and everyday life, and the tombs of ancient Egypt where the mummy's origins are revealed. Mapleton provides the frame for a wartime-era gathering—sheriff, reporters, and a family listening to a professor recount a terrifying legend. The Egyptian tombs anchor the myth of Kharis and Andoheb, whose curse links past and present.

🗺️ Small-Town Setting 🏺 Ancient Egypt 🏛️ Historical Lore

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:09

Main Characters – The Mummy’s Tomb (1942)

Meet the key characters of The Mummy’s Tomb (1942), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Kharis (Tom Tyler)

An ancient mummy resurrected to avenge desecration of Ananka’s tomb, Kharis moves with a slow, relentless purpose. Bound by the tana leaves, he carries out Bey’s commands as a terrifying, almost unstoppable instrument of retribution.

🧟 Undead ⚔️ Vengeance 🗝️ Cultic Control

Andoheb (George Zucco)

As the High Priest, Andoheb preserves the mummy’s curse and directs the revival. His occult knowledge and scheming mind shape the plot’s darkest moves, making him the mastermind behind the terror.

🗝️ Occult Mastery 🪄 Sorcery

Mehemet Bey (Turhan Bey)

A cunning Egyptian immigrant who becomes the caretaker and mastermind behind Kharis’s actions. Bey’s ambition and romantic fixation with Isobel drive the plot’s most dangerous twists.

🎭 Manipulation 🧭 Ambition

Stephen A. Banning (Dick Foran)

Massachusetts archaeologist and the story’s frame-narrator, who recounts the events to his family. His observations and eventual danger anchor the mystery in a small-town setting.

🎓 Scholar 🕯️ Frame Narrative

Dr. John Banning (John Hubbard)

The son of Stephen Banning, he assists in solving the puzzle of the grayish throat mold and pursues the truth behind the murders with scientific and investigative throughlines.

🧪 Scientist 🕵️ Investigation

Isobel Evans (Elyse Knox)

Steve Banning’s fiancée, who becomes the focal point of Bey’s scheme. Courageous and resourceful, she navigates danger to aid the investigation and protect her future.

💘 Romance 🕊️ Courage

Jane Banning (Mary Gordon)

Steve Banning’s sister, who falls victim to the mummy’s pursuit. Her death highlights the human cost of the curse and escalates the town’s fear and urgency.

💔 Victim 🕯️ Tragedy

Babe Hanson (Wallace Ford)

An earnest, chase-driven journalist whose attempts to piece together the truth bring him into heroic but perilous conflict with Kharis.

📰 Reporter 🧭 Skeptic

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:09

Major Themes – The Mummy’s Tomb (1942)

Explore the central themes of The Mummy’s Tomb (1942), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕯️ Revenge

The mummy’s awakening is driven by vengeance for the desecration of Ananka’s tomb. Kharis and Bey pursue their quarry with relentless, often inescapable force. The tale emphasizes how revenge mirrors historical wounds, consuming both victim and pursuer.

🗝️ Power & Control

Mehemet Bey channels power through occult means, seeking to install himself as a High Priest and heir. The actions of Andoheb reveal how ritual knowledge can weaponize fear and manipulate communities. The mummy itself is a tool in Bey’s bid for dominance, illustrating corrupt ambition.

👥 Community Fear

The town’s investigation is shaped by fear and rumor, turning sheriff, reporters, and townsfolk into a chorus of suspicion. Mob-like energy drives confrontations while genuine clues are drowned in hysteria. The narrative shows how collective fear can hinder truth and escalate violence.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:09

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The Mummy’s Tomb Summary

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The Mummy’s Tomb Summary

The Mummy’s Tomb Timeline

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The Mummy’s Tomb Timeline

More About The Mummy’s Tomb

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