DVD Island of Lost Souls / Mystery of the Wax Museum

This 1932 creepy classic may give you nightmares

And the film was banned in Britain and many other countries for many years. Perhaps because of what Dr. Moreau is doing: transforming animals into humans. Yes, you heard that right. He found out how to speed up evolution (recall this was only a few years after the Scopes Monkey Trial) and when he does so to animals they become humanlike, but very freaky looking humans...

Anyway, Parker becomes attracted to this strange girl (Kathleen Burke) until he sees shes not exactly a girl, she's a former panther. This is the last straw for him and he vows to expose Moreau, but the problem is how to get off the island.

If you watch this film, don't be surprised if you have a nightmare containing a man with a whip asking, "What is the law?"

That is the law! Are we not men?

The island also has some pretty strange natives, who are hirsute and barely human. Fortunately, Moreau has a whip that scares them off. Apart from Moreau, Montgomery, and M'ling the servant, there's Lota, a ravishing young girl whom Moreau introduces to Parker. He is curious as to their interractions, as he secretly observes them.

The natives also have a strange ritual. Moreau asks them "What is the law?" To which they reply "Not to eat meat. That is the law. Are we not men?" And other replies. The leader of the natives says of Moreau: "His is the hand that makes/His is the hand that heals/His is the house of pain." Those who have read the book will know what's going on, but does not exactly follow it, as is the case with most future Moreau adaptations.

Charles Laughton plays Moreau in a variety of shades, far from the typical mad scientist. He's refined, reserved in speech (for the most part), and cunning. His smile, and that weird twinkle in his eyes lends the hint to his (Laughton's) homosexuality, but his performance here demonstrates why Hollywood decided to protect him.

Richard Arlen plays Parker as a bit of an uptight and conventional prude, and Leila Hyams as his fiancee Ruth is a perfect match for him.

Kathleen Burke is a wonder as Lota--pity she didn't appear in that many films. She gives a sensitive, sympathetic portrayal, speaking in a soft, child-like voice. If I were Parker, I'd dump Ruth for Lota anyday.

Bela Lugosi is barely recognizable in furry makeup as the leader of the natives, but once one sees those unmistakable eyes... one instantly recognizes the man who lost his identity playing Dracula ad nauseum. And whoever played the giant Ouran did so with great menace.

As this was made before the Hays Code, some of the scenes and implied dialogue on the island is strong for that era. That this was initially banned in many countries and in some parts of the U.S. is not surprising. Pity they don't make movies like this anymore, because it stands heads over many.