"Are we not men?"
Last night I afforded myself the pleasure of delving into an infrequently discussed gem from the Criterion Collection, the 1932 film adaptation of H. G. Wells' "The Island of Dr. Moreau", Island of Lost Souls. What a great film! Wells himself may have loathed this screen version of his book, but it is, I would argue, a satisfying film on many levels. Certainly it boasts a fantastic cast: Charles Laughton's smarmy performance as the mad scientist who is tinkering with evolution cannot be faulted; an almost unrecognizable Bela Lugosi is chillingly effective in what is essentially a minor supporting role (despite his prominent star billing) as the hirsute Sayer of the Law; and Kathleen Burke is fascinating as the Panther Woman. The film is beautifully photographed by Karl Struss, and the makeup effects by Charles Gemora and Wally Westmore are spectacularly effective. (Among the actors supposedly hidden beneath all that makeup are Buster Crabbe, Alan Ladd, and Randolph Scott, but I honestly don't believe those reports: fellow Paramount contractees Crabbe and Scott certainly visited the set to pose for publicity stills with newcomer Kathleen Burke, but there's no evidence they acted in any scenes; and although Ladd was only a day player at the time, he never recalled being heavily made up to appear in a horror film on the Paramount lot.) The film was directed by prolific director Erle C. Kenton. Most of Kenton's work was uninspired, but Island of Lost Souls apparently brought out the best in him, because the film abounds with creative directorial touches. (Kenton later moved from Paramount to Universal, where he directed a few Abbott & Costello films, and such "Second Golden Age Horrors" as Ghost of Frankenstein, House of Frankenstein, and House of Dracula.
Criterion's transfer of Island of Lost Souls isn't perfect by any means, but it is a huge improvement over the prints that have shown up (infrequently) on pay TV stations over the years. Most of the pops and crackles that made some of the dialogue unintelligible have been removed. The video contrast has been properly calibrated, and scenes that were overly dark are now balanced, making the film infinitely more enjoyable to watch. There is still some overly heavy grain, especially in the opening scenes before we get to the island, and there are a few stress lines in some scenes, but overall, this is a stellar presentation. The extras are all fascinating ... I especially enjoyed the stills gallery, which featured many photographs I've never seen before; the lively discussion between director John Landis, makeup man Rick Baker and horror film researcher Bob Burns; and the video interview with film historian David J. Skal. Interesting, too, were the reminisces of Gerald Casale and Mark Mothersbaugh, whose band Devo was inspired by Island of Lost Souls, and the insights of director Richard Stanley, who originally helmed the disastrous 1996 remake of Wells' novel that starred Val Kilmer and Marlon Brando, but was released from his contract.
I'm really happy that Criterion chose to release this unjustly neglected film. Paramount produced some very interesting horror films during the early 1930's, including the spooky Murder by the Clock (1931), the distinguished Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931) and the gruesome Murders in the Zoo (1933). Island of Lost Souls is, I think, the studio's most effective horror film from that era, and I'm pleased to be able to give it my highest recommendation. Take a look for yourself!
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