cjh5801 wrote:

I'm not sure what, if any, authority a director had over a film's editing this early in the game.

None, apparently!

I think directors in those days were regarded more or less as traffic cops on stages. Editing was hands on work by guys like Milton Carruth (American) and Arturo/Arthur Tavares (Spanish). Carruth did lots of other monster movies for Universal too, like DRACULA'S DAUGHTER, WEREWOLF OF LONDON and THE MUMMY'S TOMB.

Perhaps there was an earlier assembly that was used/returned to for the final edit. You know, the one with the original title cards?