Island of Lost Souls (1932)

Director:

Erle C. Kenton

Writers:

H.G. Wells (novel)
Waldemar Young (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

December 1932 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Horror | Sci-Fi | Romance

Tagline:

TERROR! Stalked the Brush-Choked Island...Where Men Who Were Animals Sought the Girl Who Was All-Human!

Plot:

An obsessed scientist conducts profane experiments in evolution, eventually establishing himself as the self-styled demigod to a race of mutated, half-human abominations.

Plot Keywords:

Experiment | Island | Half Human | Escape | Doctor

Cast

Charles Laughton	...	Dr. Moreau
Richard Arlen	...	Edward Parker
Leila Hyams	...	Ruth Thomas
Bela Lugosi	...	Sayer of the Law
Kathleen Burke	...	Lota the Panther Woman
Arthur Hohl	...	Mr. Montgomery
Stanley Fields	...	Captain Davies
Paul Hurst	...	Captain Donahue
Hans Steinke	...	Ouran
Tetsu Komai	...	M'ling
George Irving	...	American Consul

Also Known As:

The Island of Dr. Moreau (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

70 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)

Certification:

Finland:K-16 (1996) | USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | USA:TV-14 (TV rating) | USA:Unrated

Filming Locations:

Santa Catalina Island, Channel Islands, California, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

The filmmakers wanted an unknown actress to play Lota, the Panther Woman. Kathleen Burke, their selection, was working as a dentist's assistant at the time. It was her first film role ever.

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: As the beast-men attack Moreau's lab one of them brushes against a flaming torch and sets his furry head alight.

Quotes:

Dr. Moreau: Have you forgotten the house of pain?
Sayer of the Law: You! You made us in the house of pain! You made us... things! Not men! Not beasts! Part men! Things!

Movie Connections:

Featured in Monster by Moonlight! The Immortal Saga of 'The Wolf Man' (1999) (V)

A Chilling Classic!

This chilling adaptation of the H.G.Well's novella, "The Island of Dr Moreau" remains unsurpassed, despite two later wretched attempts to improve upon it. Banned in England upon release! An exotic, but sinister atmosphere pervading Moreau's privately-owned island is enhanced by filming in Black & White, whose shadowy contrasts imbue the setting which a dark, suspenseful tone. Moreau amorally attempts to "play God" by creating "manimals" - hybrid humans and animals - via surgical vivasection and blood transfusion in his laboratory, The House of Pain. Charles Laughton has never been more campily devilish as when playing Moreau - an exquisite performance by a great actor.

Bela Lugosi plays a small, but effective part as "The Sayer of the Law": "Are we not men?" Kathleen Burke as the beautiful, erotic "Panther Woman" who develops an ill-fated romance with the protagonist, Edward Parker (played by Richard Arlen). Crisp direction by Erle Kenton, with nice make-up effects by Wally Westmore. The cutaway from the grisly ending when Moreau is about to be subjected to "surgery of the most fatal kind" in The House of Pain is most appreciated and is what I consider to be an exercise in directorial restraint and finesse. My imagination more than filled in the horrific details. Kudos to Mr. Kenton!