About this release
Fearless detective Dick Tracy meets his match when he tangles with Gruesome, the cold-blooded killer with the hideous face. Portrayed by the legendary horror star Boris Karloff, Gruesome gets Tracy's attention when he begins robbing banks with the aid of a mysterious gas. Ralph Byrd is cast as the square-jawed, two-fisted Tracy, and Anne Gwynn is on hand as the always loyal Tess Truehart. Upon its 1947 release, Variety called this film "...a chiller diller," and added, "Karloff, per usual, (steals) every scene in which he appears."
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Disc 1
DVD
Dick Tracy Meets Gruesome (1947)
65 min
ActionThrillerCrimeMystery
A gang of criminals, which includes a piano player and an imposing former convict known as 'Gruesome', has found out about a scientist's secret formula for a gas that temporarily paralyzes anyone who breathes it. When Gruesome accidentally inhales some of the gas and passes out, the police think he is dead and take him to the morgue, where he later revives and escapes. This puzzling incident attracts the interest of Dick Tracy, and when the criminals later use the gas to rob a bank, Tracy realizes that he must devote his entire attention to stopping them.
Credits
Director
John Rawlins
Writer
Robertson White
Eric Taylor
Cast
Boris Karloffas Gruesome
Ralph Byrdas Dick Tracy
Anne Gwynneas Tess Trueheart
Edward Ashleyas Dr. L.E. Thal
June Clayworthas Dr. I.M. "Irma" Learned
Lyle Latellas Pat Patton
Tony Barrettas Melody
Skelton Knaggsas X-Ray
James Nolanas Dan Sterne
Joseph Crehanas Chief Brandon
Cinematographer
Frank Redman
Composer
Paul Sawtell
Editor
Elmo Williams
Producer
Herman Schlom
Release Details
- Packaging
- Keep Case
Images
Catalogue Info
- Added by
- Matthew Simpson
- Date added
- June 29, 2026