The Mummy (1932) / YMMV

Accidental Innuendo: Imhotep describes how the guard walked in on him doing "something unholy".
Adaptation Displacement: Remake Displacement in this case. More people seem to be aware of the film's 1999 remake and 2017 remake than of the 1932 original.
Common Knowledge: Many assume that the character of Imhotep is an example of Historical Villain Upgrade; in this case, of the famous polymath. But any documentary about the film will tell you that they're not the same person; the name was taken from the historical figure, meaning the character is merely named after (or at most partly inspired by) the architect. Just in case you missed the fact that this Imhotep lived in a completely different time period from and served a completely different pharaoh than that Imhotep.
Fandom Rivarly: Many fans of the original Mummy are tired that their film is constantly overshadowed by the 1999 remake and believe it deserves more respect since the Mummy franchise would not exist had it not been for the 1932 original.
Fan-Preferred Cut Content: A lengthy sequence showing Helen's other past lives and reincarnations throughout history was filmed - such as her at the Roman Colosseum, during medieval England, part of a Viking raid and in France during the Ancient Régime. It would have been interesting to see, and Zita Johann herself was disappointed it was cut.
Fans Prefer the New Her: Imhotep dresses Helen in Anck-Su-Namun's clothes and wig as part of his plan to pull a Kill and Replace, and she ultimately begs Isis for help to stop it. It however does not stop Zita Johann from looking absolutely stunning in the costume.
Inferred Holocaust: It's not actually said whether Helen's soul was called back to reclaim control of her body or Anck-Su-Namun is now taken over, or whether it'll be the two souls fighting over control. We can just assume it was Helen's.
Magnificent Bastard: Imhotep, the ancient Mummy, loved Princess Anck-Su-Namum in defiance of all tradition. When he sought to breach the barriers between life and death to recover her soul, he was damned and condemned until rising again. Taking on the elegant demeanor of pleasant Ardeth Bay, he manipulates the British into excavating tombs so he might find a way to restore his love, even if he must sacrifice a living woman to do so.
Signature Scene:
- Whemple's foolish assistant reading the translation of The Scroll of Thoth while the Mummy slowly wakes up.
- The recurring faceshot of Imhotep looking directly into the camera with glowing eyes.
Strangled by the Red String: Helen and Frank fall in Love at First Sight, and after one meeting, their love is said to be strong enough to help her fight off Imhotep's influence.
Unintentional Uncanny Valley: For the most part, Imhotep looks like a human being. But the very subtle makeup effects on his face,^note as well as his gaunt demeanor give the impression that he's a 3000 year old corpse.
Values Dissonance:
- With all the controversy in later years about Britain looting the world's heritage (as Last Week Tonight with John Oliver put it, "the entire British Museum is basically an active crime scene"), it can be pretty off-putting how the movie expects us to sympathize with Frank's frustrations at Egypt not letting him have the artifacts he just dug up. Your mileage may vary on this though as Sir Joseph Whemple admonishes Frank for this, says they aren't looters, and is sympathetic towards the Egyptian viewpoint.
- To a modern viewpoint unfamiliar with 1930s social etiquette, Frank's wooing of Helen comes across as pushy and not taking no for an answer. However, in the context of the time, a respectable young woman would be expected to put up several token 'protests' when a man made advances on her, even if she was interested. Helen makes it very clear in her tone and body language that she is into Frank, even if it sounds like she's rebuffing him with her words.
- The Nubian servant is treated with such indifference, and the film itself treats him like a Living Prop. The sympathetic British characters are also outright dismissive towards any of the brown characters.
Values Resonance: On the other hand, the film is remarkably ahead of its time in featuring its supposed Damsel in Distress actually saving her own self, with the men showing up after she's already taken care of everything.
Visual Effects of Awesome: Boris Karloff's mummy is probably the most awesome version of the mummy to date. It's very easy to believe that you're actually seeing a walking, talking corpse.

YMMV / The Mummy (1932)

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