Horror

Science Fiction

Island of Lost Souls

Paramount Pictures

United States of America

English

Charles Laughton

Richard Arlen

Leila Hyams

Bela Lugosi

Kathleen Burke

Arthur Hohl

Stanley Fields

Paul Hurst

Hans Steinke

Tetsu Komai

George Irving

Jack Bardette

Evangelus Berbas

Joe Bonomo

Buster Brodie

Jacob Dance

James Dime

Harry Ekezian

Charles Gemora

John George

Rosemary Grimes

Robert P. Kerr

Bob Kortman

Robert Milasch

Constantine Romanoff

Schlitzie

Jack Walters

Duke York

Erle C. Kenton

H. G. Wells

Philip Wylie

Arthur Johnston

Waldemar Young

Karl Struss

Sigmund Krumgold

Hans Dreier

Wally Westmore

Loren L. Ryder

We are Devo!

There's an island somewhere out there in the goddamn foggy laden deep blue sea. Here resides Dr. Moreau (Charles Laughton), he has a God complex and he is conducting experiments, turning animals into humans. Unsurprisingly and terrifyingly the results are not exactly a success! 

Tod Browning's Freaks was released this same year, and when watching Erle C. Kenton's Island of Lost Souls, it makes for the perfect companion piece. Full of haunting imagery, aided no end by cinematographer Karl Struss' stunning photography, it's a film that stays with you long after the end credits have rolled. Berserker science marries up to human chaos to provoke and trouble in equal measure. Laughton gives top villainy, whilst Waldemar Young and and Philip Wylie adapt from the H.G. Wells novel with a cheeky glint in their eyes. The 1930s had some great horror movies, this is up with the best of them. 8/10

CinemaSerf

There is something almost "Hitler-esque" about Charles Laughton's performance in this stunningly eerie adaptation of HG Wells' novel "The Island of Dr. Moreau". I have to admit to a certain bewilderment as to the name change - if anything, it rather detracts from the original - but hey, I'm nitpicking. Laughton is perfect as the charismatic genius who is experimenting to turn animals into human beings. Not for us here, is that typically maniacal lunatic-scientist style of characterisation; our protagonist here is cold, calculating and evil - but he also has a structured - if entirely flawed - scientific theory with a goal that aims to facilitate his return to London to prove those previously sceptical of his claims that he was right. Were it not for the arrival of "Edward Parker" (Richard Arlen) who had been unceremoniously dumped from a passing freighter; and whom he introduces to his most promising subject "The Panther Woman" he might well have succeeded. This external intervention, however, changes all the dynamics on the island and we head to the ultimate clash of personalities. Bela Lugosi features sparingly, and - to be honest - his part could have been played by any tall man in a beard (real, or otherwise) and Arthur Hohl as his rather too acquiescent sidekick "Montgomery" lacked any sort of screen presence. The lighting contributes hugely to the spookily haunting imagery; more than making up for the, well, make up! It's all about Laughton - his menacing, almost megalomanic performance is captivating.

Island of Lost Souls ≣ 1932 ≣ Trailer

John Landis on ISLAND OF LOST SOULS

Island Of Lost Souls HD Theatrical Trailer

Three Reasons: Island of Lost Souls

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Island of Lost Souls

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Cast

Charles Laughton

Richard Arlen

Leila Hyams

Bela Lugosi

Kathleen Burke

Arthur Hohl

Stanley Fields

Paul Hurst

Hans Steinke

Tetsu Komai

Box office

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