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Horror Cult Classic

Buried alive for forbidden love, a mummy guards the secret tomb against modern-day intruders.

THE MUMMY'S HAND

The tomb of a thousand terrors!

1940 · 1h 7m · NR · Horror · IMDB TMDB

Archaeologists defile the tomb of mummified Kharis, who was buried alive for falling in love with an Egyptian princess.

Quick Answer

What is The Mummy's Hand about?

The Mummy's Hand is a 1940 American horror film directed by Christy Cabanne about archaeologists who unknowingly awaken a cursed mummy while searching for an ancient Egyptian tomb.

Programmer's Pick

When your archaeological expedition comes with tana leaves on the packing list, you know you’re not just here to dust pottery shards. Christy Cabanne’s entry in Universal’s mummy cycle brings us ancient curses, magic acts, and a mummy who takes his job as tomb security very personally.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Set in Egypt, The Mummy's Hand follows the fate of Prince Kharis, who is punished for attempting to resurrect his beloved Princess Ananka by being buried alive along with sacred tana leaves. Centuries later, the secret of his existence is guarded by a sect of priests, who keep him alive to protect the tomb. Meanwhile, down-on-their-luck archaeologist Steve Banning and his comic-relief partner stumble upon clues to the tomb’s location. With the support of a famed stage magician and his skeptical daughter, the group sets out to uncover long-buried secrets. The film weaves supernatural lore, ritual, and danger as this unlikely team trespasses into an ancient world where the dead may not rest easy.

Details & Specs

Director
Christy Cabanne
Writers
Griffin Jay, Maxwell Shane, John L. Balderston, Nina Wilcox Putnam, Richard Schayer
Release
1940
Runtime
1h 7m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
Genres
Horror
Also Known As
The Mummy’s Hand, A Mão da Múmia

Why This Matters

Produced by Universal Studios after the financial success of their earlier horror titles, this film is notable for reusing footage and music from previous productions, while presenting an original story unrelated to the 1932 The Mummy despite being made as a follow-up.
— SassyFlix Curator

Cast & Crew

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Director: Christy Cabanne Writers: Griffin Jay +4 more

Why Cult

Ancient Tana Leaf Rituals

The mummy's existence and power hinge on the mysterious brew from tana leaves, administered by secretive priests.

Egyptian Tomb Adventure

A blend of treasure-hunting and supernatural peril awaits as characters navigate lost tombs, hidden passages, and mysterious curses.

Stage Magician Sidekick

The group’s financier is none other than an American stage magician, bringing prestidigitation and skepticism into the mix.

Cursed Love Story

The mummy's tragic origin—an ill-fated attempt to resurrect his lost princess—adds a layer of doomed romance to the horror.

Scene Gallery

Threat File

Trigger

Archaeologists enter Ananka's tomb

Threat

Cursed mummy Kharis

Effect

Strangling and attacking intruders

Countermeasure

Priests control Kharis with tana leaves

Setting

Ancient Egyptian tombs and surrounding area

Questions from the Vault

Who directed The Mummy's Hand? +

The Mummy's Hand was directed by Christy Cabanne.

How long is The Mummy's Hand? +

The Mummy's Hand has a runtime of 67 minutes.

What genre is The Mummy's Hand? +

The Mummy's Hand is a horror film.

Where can I watch The Mummy's Hand? +

You can watch The Mummy's Hand on SassyFlix.

How do tana leaves control the mummy in The Mummy's Hand? +

Tana leaves, when brewed and administered in specific quantities by the priests, keep the mummy Kharis alive or restore his movement to punish tomb intruders.

Trailers & Clips