Based on the novel The Island of Dr. Moreau by H.G. Wells, Island of Lost Souls is the story of an island where a scientist is trying to a hybrid of humans and animals as it eventually goes out of control. Directed by Erle C. Kenton and screenplay by Waldemar Young and Philip Wyle, the film is a strange sci-fi horror film set in a remote island in the South Pacific where a shipwrecked man makes a chilling discovery of what a mad scientist is trying to do. Starring Charles Laughton, Richard Arlen, Leila Hyams, Kathleen Burke, Arthur Hohl, Stanley Fields, and Bela Lugsoi. Island of Lost Souls is a thrilling and evocative film from Erle C. Kenton.
The film follows a man who had been kicked out of a ship after being saved following a shipwreck where he finds himself on a strange island where a scientist is trying to create a hybrid of humans and animals in a strange experiment. It’s a film that explore the idea of a man wanting to play God as he lives in this remote island where he would collect animals with the help of his assistant Mr. Montgomery (Arthur Hohl) who was onboard of a ship collecting these animals. During Montgomery’s journey, he would encounter a man on a capsized lifeboat in Edward Parker (Richard Arlen) who is saved and aided by Montgomery back to health until the ship’s captain knocks Parker onto the ship of Dr. Moreau (Charles Laughton). Parker would stay in the island for a few days where he befriends Dr. Moreau’s daughter Lota (Kathleen Burke) where he would later make a chilling discovery. The film’s screenplay showcase this air of madness in Dr. Moreau as well as what he’s trying to do in creating a civilization that would allow a lot of the animalistic traits out of these people and create a better version of humanity.
The direction of Erle C. Kenton does have elements of style in terms of its approach to suspense and horror yet much of it is very straightforward. Shot on soundstages, the film does play into this world that is cut off from society where Dr. Moreau is trying to create one with order as one of his creatures known as the Sayer of the Law (Bela Lugosi) recites the concepts of the law. While there are a few wide shots, Kenton’s direction emphasize more on medium shots and some close-ups for some of the coverage in the film’s 1:33:1 full-frame aspect ratio. Notably in the way he presents some of the drama as well as these moments of suspense including Parker’s discovery of this room known as the House of Pain. The third act where Parker’s fiancée Ruth Thomas (Leila Hyams) arrives to the island with another ship captain, the suspense and terror do heighten up when Dr. Moreau decides to do something that is against everything he had intended to do. Overall, Kenton crafts a chilling yet rapturous film about an island of human-animal hybrids being created by a mad scientist.
Cinematographer Karl Struss, with special photographic effects by Gordon Jennings, does brilliant work with the film’s black-and-white cinematography with its stylish usage of lights for many of the scenes at night as well as in some of the film’s interior scenes. Art director Hans Dreier does amazing work with the look of the sets including some of the rooms at Dr. Moreau’s house as well as the look of the jungle. The makeup work of Charles Gemora and Wally Westmore is excellent for the way the monsters look into their mixture of animal and human. The sound work of M.M. Poggi and Loren L. Ryder is superb for the sound effects created as well as the sense of eerie atmosphere of the jungle. The film’s music by Arthur Johnston and Sigmund Krumgold is fantastic for its usage of tribal drums and heavy orchestral music to play into the suspense and terror.
The casting by Fred A. Datig is wonderful as it feature some notable small roles from George Irving as a consul at a nearby Samoan island, Tetsu Komai as Dr. Moreau’s animal-human hybrid servant M’ling, Hans Steinke as a big animal-human hybrid in Ouran, Stanley Fields as a cargo ship captain who kicks Parker out of his ship in Captain Davies, Paul Hurst as a ship captain in Captain Donahue who accompanies Ruth to Dr. Moreau’s island to find Parker, and Bela Lugosi in a fantastic small role as the animal-human hybrid known as the Sayer of the Law as an intelligent beast who states the complexities of the laws while figuring out its flaws. Arthur Hohl is superb as Mr. Montgomery as a former doctor who aids Dr. Moreau in the surgeries and experiments as he has an interest in what Dr. Moreau is doing only to realize how far Dr. Moreau has gone.
Kathleen Burke is excellent as Lota, the Panther Woman, as this human-like figure who is considered a daughter of Dr. Moreau who has a great interest in Parker as she copes with her animal-like condition. Leila Hyams is amazing as Ruth Thomas as Parker’s fiancée who is eager to find him as she would learn about what is going on at Dr. Moreau’s island which terrifies her. Richard Arlen is brilliant as Edward Parker as a man who had been shipwrecked only to be kicked out of another boat where he finds himself on Dr. Moreau’s island as he copes with what he sees as he tries to escape only to be part of an experiment as it relates to Lota. Finally, there’s Charles Laughton in a phenomenal performance as Dr. Moreau as a mad scientist trying to create his own version of humanity through animal and experiment them with humans as a way to create a new society only to display elements of madness and manipulation as it is one of Laughton’s iconic performances.
Island of Lost Souls is a spectacular film from Erle C. Kenton that features a tremendous performance from Charles Laughton. Along with its ensemble cast, dazzling visuals, top-notch makeup work, and a chilling premise of playing God. It’s a film that doesn’t play by the convention of horrors and suspense in order to study a man’s attempt to create his own idea of humanity through animals. In the end, Island of Lost Souls is a sensational film from Erle C. Kenton.
Related: The Island of Dr. Moreau - Lost Soul: The Doomed Journey of Richard Stanley's Island of Dr. Moreau
© thevoid99 2017
Directed by Ernst Lubitsch and screenplay by Billy Wilder, Charles Brackett, and Walter Reisch from a story by Melchior Lengyel, Ninotchka is the story of a Russian woman who goes to Paris for official business relating to her government as she meets and falls in love with a man who represents everything she stands against. The film is a romantic comedy in which a woman who is on a mission to retrieve three men in trouble who are tempted by the offers in Paris as she tries to avoid that sense of temptation. Starring Greta Garbo, Melvyn Douglas, Ina Claire, and Bela Lugosi. Ninotchka is an enchanting and splendid film from Ernst Lubitsch.
The film revolves around a Soviet envoy who travels to Paris, after three men working for the government in retrieving jewels that once belonged to a grand duchess, where she comes to get the jewels and return them to the Soviet Union until she meets a Russian count who is working for the grand duchess. It’s a film that has a lot in not just being this romantic-comedy but also a film involving dueling political ideals as a woman with very socialist views arrive into a country that is more democratic with some leanings toward capitalism. Yet, the character of Nina Ivanova “Ninotchka” Yakushova (Greta Garbo) is a woman that would be new to this world as she struggles to be loyal to her own beliefs but also become tempted by what the free world has to offer. The film’s screenplay begins with the arrival of these three Soviet officials who hope to get these jewels from the Grand Duchess Swana (Ina Claire) that they can use for government funding. Instead, the three men meet Swana’s friend Count Leon d’Algout (Melvyn Douglas) who charms them with lavish gifts as they lose sight of why they’re in Paris.
The script does show Ninotchka as a no-nonsense woman who knows what she is in Paris for as she presents herself as someone that isn’t afraid to spout her own socialist beliefs as well as doing things for herself. In meeting Count d’Algout, she tries to resist all of his temptation as he would try to humor her to see if she can crack and eventually does. The film’s first half is about Ninotchka’s resistant towards the frivolities and capitalist ventures in Paris while its second half is about her conflict with what Count d’Algout wants to give her as well as her loyalty to the Soviet Union. The third act would begin with Ninotchka meeting the Grand Duchess where it is a key moment in the film where it is about Ninotchka’s idea for the new Russia versus everything the Grand Duchess had stood for and why those jewels mean a lot to her. It’s a meeting that would showcase what the Grand Duchess would sacrifice but also what Ninotchka would have to do for her country as it would come at a price for herself.
Ernst Lubitsch’s direction does have an air for style but much of the film’s compositions throughout the film are quite straightforward. Shot mainly in studio backlots at MGM, the film dos play into this world of pre-World War II Paris as it play into this very thriving and lavish world where everyone is staying at posh hotels or eating at cafes that are quite affordable. Much of Lubitsch’s direction include some close-ups to play into the expression of the characters as well as some medium shots to play into the world of the characters and the growing attraction between Ninotchka and Count d’Algout. Lubitsch’s approach to humor is straightforward but also has this slow build into the way it would show Ninotchka as someone becoming less stern and more outgoing. Even as she would buy this very silly hat as it would play into her development as a person as well as scenes that showcases some of the flaws of socialism and capitalism as it’s shown with some very subtle humor.
The dramatic moments would have Lubitsch use some unique compositions that include the meeting between Ninotchka and the Grand Duchess as it is this very simple yet evocative scene that showcase a game kind of being played. Yet, it is a moment in the third act that would shift things a bit but also play as a key moment of development for both Ninotchka and Count d’Algout for the film’s third act as it relate to their growing infatuation for each other. Even as the latter would do something to get Ninotchka out of the Soviet Union in an inventive way but also have scenes set in Moscow into the life that Ninotchka and her comrades are living in as it show a world that is changing where both socialist and capitalist ideals do have their good but also the bad as it’s all about how one could compromise for the good of the world. Overall, Lubitsch creates an evocative and engaging film about a Soviet envoy who falls for an exiled count in Paris.
Cinematographer William H. Daniels does brilliant work with the film’s black-and-white photography from the usage of low-key interior lighting for some of the scenes set in Moscow for its third act to the very gorgeous array of lighting and textures for much of the film’s interiors including the club scene in Paris. Editor Gene Ruggiero does excellent work with the editing as it is very straightforward with a couple of transition wipes and fade-outs that play into the drama and comedy. Art director Cedric Gibbons and set decorator Edwin B. Willis do fantastic work with the look of the Parisian hotel sweet the Soviet officials and Ninotchka stay in as well as Count d’Algout’s apartment and the interiors of the nightclub and cafe.
Gown designer Adrian does amazing work with the look of the dresses that Ninotchka would wear at the nightclub as well as the dresses that the Grand Duchess wears. Sound editor Wally Heglin does nice work with the sound as it play into the world of the cafes and clubs as well as some of the exterior scenes set in Paris. The film’s music by Werner R. Heymann is wonderful for its sumptuous orchestral score that play into some of the funnier moments of the film as well as the dramatic and romantic moments in the film.
The film’s marvelous cast include some notable small roles from George Tobias as a Russian visa official, Charles Judel as a café owner, Rolfe Sedan as the hotel manager, Tamara Shayne as Ninotchka’s Moscow roommate, and Bela Lugosi in a small but superb performance as Ninotchka’s superior Commissar Razinin who is concerned about Ninotchka’s behavior and her time in Paris. The trio of Sig Ruman, Felix Bressart, and Alexander Granach are fantastic in their respective roles as Iranoff, Buljanoff, and Kopalski as three government officials who give in to the temptation of what Paris has to offer as they have a hard time wanting to stay loyal to the Soviet Union as they become more enamored with the world of capitalism.
Ina Claire is brilliant as the Grand Duchess Swana as a former royal who had lost her jewels during the Russian Revolution as she is eager to get them back while making a major compromise that would affect Ninotchka greatly as she believes this compromise would be good for herself and her former country. Melvyn Douglas is amazing as Count Leon d’Algout as a former Russian royal who is a friend of the Grand Duchess as he is eager to get her jewels back only to be intrigued by Ninotchka whom he would fall for as he decides to help Ninotchka and do whatever he can to be there for her. Finally, there’s Greta Garbo in a magnificent performance as the titular character as a no-nonsense Soviet envoy who goes to Paris to do her job and get out as she tries to resist temptation where Garbo starts off as humorless and mechanic only to loosen up as someone full of charm and radiance while being vulnerable later on as it is one of her defining performances.
Ninotchka is a phenomenal film from Ernst Lubitsch that features incredible performances from Greta Garbo, Melvyn Douglas, and Ina Claire. Along with its gorgeous visuals, top-notch art direction, and a witty script co-written by Billy Wilder. It’s a film that isn’t just a fun romantic-comedy but also a study of social classes and ideals that play into two people with different ideals who come together for one common goal. In the end, Ninotchka is a spectacular film from Ernst Lubitsch.
Ernst Lubitsch Films: (Shoe Palace Pinkus) – (When Four Do the Same) – (Die Augen Der Mumie Ma) – (Carmen (1918 film)) – (Intoxication (1919 film)) – (The Doll) – (My Wife, the Movie Star) – (The Oyster Princess) – (Meyer from Berlin) – (Madame DuBarry) – (Sumurun) – (Kohlhiesel’s Daughter) – (Anna Boleyn) – (The Wild Cat) – (The Loves of Pharaoh) – (The Flame (1923 film)) – (Rosita) – (The Marriage Circle) – (Three Women (1924 film)) – (Forbidden Paradise) – (Kiss Me Again) – (Lady Windermere’s Fan) – (So This is Paris) – (The Honeymoon Express) – (The Student Prince in Old Heidelberg) – (The Patriot (1928 film)) – (Eternal Love) – (The Love Parade) – (Monte Carlo (1930 film)) – (Paramount on Parade) – (The Smiling Lieutenant) – (Broken Lullaby) – (One Hour with You) – (Trouble in Paradise (1932 film)) – (Design for Living) – (The Merry Widow) – (Angel (1937 film)) – (Bluebeard’s Eighth Wife) – (The Shop Around the Corner) – (That Uncertain Feeling) – (To Be or Not to Be (1942 film)) – (Heaven Can Wait (1943 film)) – (A Royal Scandal) – (Cluny Brown) – (That Lady in Ermine)
© thevoid99 2017
Based on novel by Bram Stoker and the stage play by Hamilton Deane and John L. Balderston, Dracula is the story of a vampire who goes to Britain to stake claim on an estate while searching for fresh blood to feed on. Directed by Tod Browning, with additional work by Karl Freund, and screenplay by Garrett Fort, the film is an exploration into the vampire who lives in the night and drinks the blood of human as he is played by Bela Lugosi. Also starring Helen Chandler, David Manners, Dwight Frye, and Edward Van Sloan. Dracula is an entrancing and stylish film from Tod Browning.
The film is the simple story about this vampire who travels from his home of Transylvania in Hungary to modern-day London as he haunts for new blood to survive with the aid of a real-estate solicitor who becomes his slave. It’s a film with a simple premise where Count Dracula is this mysterious vampire living in the castle at Transylvania where he haunts its locals who stay far away from him. Upon his arrival to London, all hell breaks lose where the only person that can stop him is Professor Van Helsing (Edward Van Sloan) who has been studying vampires. The film’s screenplay explores what Count Dracula wants as he targets a young woman named Mina (Helen Chandler) whom he wants to become his new bride. At the same time, he causes chaos in London as his new slave Renfield (Dwight Frye) is trying to do anything to help his master in the hopes he can get something in return.
Tod Browning’s direction is definitely stylish as it play into this conflict of the old world that is Transylvania and the new world that is London. Notably as there are rare moments where he moves the camera as he more prefers to create dazzling compositions that showcase the world that Count Dracula is in and what he tries to do. Most of the compositions are set in medium shots and close-ups with a few wide shots as Browning, with the aid of cinematographer Karl Freund, chose to maintain a simplicity into the action and drama that looms throughout the film. Especially as the moments where Dracula would bite someone would often be shown off-screen as it is more about the sound of horror rather than what is shown. Still, Browning maintains that mood in playing up the suspense as well as injecting some humor into the film to create a nice balance of chills and laughs. Overall, Browning creates a ravishing yet thrilling film about a vampire who haunts humanity in his thirst for blood.
Cinematographer Karl Freund does brilliant work with the film‘s black-and-white photography in the way he uses light and shadows to set a mood for some of the interiors at Dracula‘s castle as well as some of the nighttime scenes set in London. Editors Milton Carruth and Maurice Pivar do excellent work with the editing as it is largely straightforward with some rhythmic cuts for some of the film‘s suspenseful moments. Production designers John Hoffman and Herman Rosse, with set decorator Russell A. Gausman and art director Charles D. Hall, do amazing work with the look of the interiors of Dracula‘s castle with its spider-webs and creatures as well as the more clean and posh look of the home of Dr. Seward. Costume designers Ed Ware and Vera West do nice work with the costumes from the cape and clothes that Dracula wear to the period dresses that the women wear. Sound recording supervisor C. Roy Hunter does terrific work with the sound from the way bats sound as well as a few creatures and such while much of the music in the film is mainly operatic pieces that is played for a scene in an opera house.
The casting by Phil M. Friedman is superb as it feature some notable small roles from Joan Standing as Nurse Briggs, Frances Dade as Mina’s friend Lucy, Herbert Bunston as Mina’s father Dr. Seward, and Charles K. Gerrard in a funny performance as the hospital attendant Martin who provides some funny one-liners. Dwight Frye is excellent as Renfield as an estates solicitor who becomes Dracula’s slave as he does whatever he can to help his master. David Manners is terrific as Mina’s beau Jonathan Harker who tries to make sense of everything while unsure about the myth of the vampire. Edward Van Sloan is fantastic as Professor Van Helsing as a man who studies the myth of the vampires as he suspects Dracula where he would eventually prove his worth against the vampire.
Helen Chandler is brilliant as Mina Seward as the young woman who is targeted by Dracula as she comes to term with her condition as well as be under the spell of the vampire. Finally, there’s Bela Lugosi in a phenomenal performance as the titular character who is this vampire that lurks and haunts his victims where Lugosi maintains this chilling presence that is crucial to the character as it is really the definitive performance of that character.
Dracula is a spectacular film from Tod Browning that features an incredible performance from Bela Lugosi in the titular role. Featuring some gorgeous visuals, an intriguing premise, and a great supporting cast, it’s a film that is definitely a monster movie that is quite riveting to watch as it also showcases what was done during the pre-Code era of American cinema. In the end, Dracula is a sensational film from Tod Browning.
Related: Nosferatu - Freaks - Nosferatu the Vampyre - Bram Stoker's Dracula
© thevoid99 2016
