Runtime: 67 minutes
Directed by: Erle C. Kenton
Starring: Charles Laughton, Richard Arlen, Leila Hyams, Kathleen Burke, Bela Lugosi
From: Paramount
This is leagues better than the 1996 version of the tale. Despite its title, the plot is based on The Island of Dr. Moreau. It’s a wild Pre-Code tale that is not only potent, the themes presented are still rather unsettling in 2024.
The assumption is that most people are familiar w/ the H.G. Wells story even if they’ve never read the book nor seen any of the film adaptations. A shipwrecked Edward Parker has the misfortune of ending up on the titular island, where Moreau creates abominations and loves playing God. The tenor becomes much more disturbing once The Panther Woman (not a spoiler; the film’s poster loudly bellowed the presence of this character) enters the picture.
What a ride this film was in only 67 minutes. Charles Laughton devoured the scenery as the (not so) good Doctor although plenty of credit should also be given to both the makeup that made those creations look so upsetting, and to Kathleen Burke in her film debut as The Panther Woman; a difficult role that she succeeded in. Then again, I’d be mistaken in not noting Bela Lugosi’s small yet critical part. The story-filmed on nice Paramount sets & stunningly lit-gets under your skin from the opening scene & then the incendiary ending occurs, featuring an incredibly grisly death.
Those familiar w/ Pre-Code horror, don’t be like me and have this be inexplicably be a blind spot for years; the morbid vibes and the scares are still potent today.
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