Friday, September 8, 2017

Island of Lost Souls (1932)


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

Despite its age this short and fast-paced horror thriller still has impact with its frightening, tormented mutants and Laughton's adequately over-the-top performance as the sadistic mad scientist Dr. Moreau.
Halliwell*: "Unchilling but interesting thriller with a rolling-eyed star performance."
Maltin***1/2: "Strong adaptation of H.G. Well's novel...Laughton hams it up a bit, but despite more explicit horror films of late, this retains its frightening aura, particularly in the grisly finale."
Michael Weldon/Psychotronic: "It was banned in England for years. H.G. Wells...condemned it as being vulgar.It's probably the best horror film ever made. No other film has as many different and scary faces as this one. The atmosphere (mostly created on sets) is remarkable. With his little goatee, a clean white suit, and an ever present whip, Charles Laughton is perfect as Dr. Moreau."

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