In terms of black and white horror films, few come close to the visceral impact it had in its time and still does today. The story starts off simply, Edward (Richard Arlen) is a survivor of a ship accident only to be picked up and stranded on a island resided by Doctor Moreau (Charles laughton). He soon learns that the good doctor has been genetically transforming animals into advanced human beings. The results as with all crazy experiments, is less than successful. The rejects are banished to a secluded side of the island to fend for themselves. To maintain a sense of order, Moreau cracks the whip (literally)commanding a repeated mantra of his demands “What is the law?!”) reminding them of the place they were borne from; “the house of pain”). In a later sequence we see an example of this as a hybrid strapped to an operation table, howls in anguish as the doctor coldly dismisses his agony as another clinical failure.
Bela Lugosi (before Tod Brownings, Dracula) is the village sayer of the tribe, oddly not knowing enough English off screen, the phonetic dialogue comes off extremely alien and effective on screen.
Laughton is definitely the treat here. Imposing in his white seersucker Congo suit, he is the epitome of what mad scientists should strive for. Another staged entry is the heroine (Lelia Hyams) introduction. At a shipping port, she is relieved to find her husband alive via a posted notice. She walks away relieved and gratified, as the busy activities on the street divide in front, It’s serenely graceful, a prelude of terrors to come.
Jack Pierce the make up artist must be especially noted. The Rick baker , Rob Bottin and Dick Smith of his day. The FX applied to the creatures are restrained, something later remakes would over indulge. It wasn’t about what the beasts were or becoming, but the results that went awry in between.
Director Erle Kenton ratchets up the atmosphere with dread before going full throttle at the memorable end.
I give this your best four shot Russian vodka with a smooth wheat beer as a chaser.
