When a busted vase is found in an Egyptian bazaar, New York archeologist Steve Banning is sure he’s discovered a map to the lost tomb of Princess Ananka. He and his goofy partner attempt to get funding from the Cairo Museum but are thwarted by the museum head, Professor Andoheb (George Zucco). Andoheb claims the vase is a fake but we already know he’s the new high priest of an ancient sect, charged with protecting the tomb from desecration. A chance encounter puts Steve in contact with stage magician The Great Solvani, who is convinced to fund the expedition with a promise of an equal split for all the treasures found within the final resting place of the princess. Solvani’s daughter Marta tags along to make sure these mysterious New Yorkers aren’t defrauding her father with their talk of secret tombs and lost riches. When they discover the mummy of Kharis (he was in love with Ananka and horrifically punished by being mummified alive for defying the gods after attempting to bring her back when she died) they know they are getting close to their destination. Andoheb knows they are close too and uses the powerful tana leaves to resurrect Kharis and kill off the snooping Americans. At just over an hour, The Mummy’s Hand never bores and benefits from taking place almost completely in the desert (or a Universal backlot if you wanna be technical). The cast is likable enough and Tom Tyler’s mummy makes for an imposing monster hidden under some of Jack Pierce’s creepiest makeup. The comic relief grates a bit and it could have used more mummy action.
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