The Mummy (1932)

In 1921, an archaeological expedition led by Sir Joseph Whemple finds the mummy of an ancient Egyptian high priest named Imhotep. An inspection of the mummy by Whemple’s friend Dr. Muller reveals that the viscera were not removed, and from the signs of struggling Muller deduces that although Imhotep had been wrapped like a traditional mummy, he had been buried alive. Also buried with Imhotep is a casket with a curse on it. Despite Muller’s warning, Sir Joseph’s assistant Ralph Norton opens it and finds an ancient life-giving scroll, the “Scroll of Thoth”. He translates the symbols and then reads the words aloud. Imhotep rises, the sight of which snaps Norton’s mind and causes him to laugh hysterically as the Mummy shuffles off with the scroll.

Ten years later, Imhotep has assimilated into a mysterious Egyptian historian named Ardeth Bey. He calls upon Sir Joseph’s son Frank and Professor Pearson and shows them where to dig to find the tomb of the princess Anck-su-namun. After locating the tomb, the archaeologists present its treasures to the Cairo Museum, and Ardeth Bey disappears.