But, the big issue is that it wasn’t progressive script, but very much along the lines of moralistic horror writing. You have two women who both defy conventional feminine mores. Strong women who ultimately are raped and murdered. Because of the endings for the women, the story isn’t holding up the women to be emulated, but rather to be examples of what happens to willful women.

Also, notice how once the women were in a locked house, they were completely helpless. They don’t fight back. They turn on each other. They aren’t tied up or anyway restrained yet do not fight back in anyway.

Also, the script apparently calls explicitly for the use of Sibelius’ “Valse Triste.” The same article says “Karloff’s character likes to play the piece on his violin” and is playing it when the women approach his cabin.