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Director Erle C. Kenton's pre-code era adaptation of H.G. Wells' classic gothic horror novel The Island of Dr. Moreau, inexplicably renamed Island of Lost Souls, is still considered by many to be the greatest big screen interpretation of the Wells story.

Somewhere in the South Seas, Edward Parker (Richard Arlen) runs afoul of a belligerent sea captain (Stanley Fields) and is dumped on the island doorstep of the reclusive Dr. Moreau (Charles Laughton). Alarmed by the strangely misshapen islanders and the screams echoing from Moreau's operating theater, Parker soon discovers that the natives are all former animals -- dogs, pigs, lions -- that have been scientifically "evolved". Wandering into the jungle, Parker hears The Sayer of the Law (Bela Lugosi) lead the beast men in wailing chants about the Doctor's fearful House of Pain. Aided by his alcoholic assistant Mr. Montgomery (Arthur Hohl), Moreau must repeat his surgical horror sessions to prevent his creations from reverting to their original forms. The latest addition to the grotesque menagerie is Lota, a Panther Woman (Kathleen Burke). The Doctor obsesses over the idea of mating her with the handsome new arrival, to determine if Lota is indeed "fully a woman". While Parker tries to make sense of the unnatural happenings all around him, his fiancee Ruth Thomas (Leila Hyams of Freaks) prevails upon the authorities to send a rescue ship. What will Moreau do when they arrive?

Director: Erle C. Kenton
Cast: Charles Laughton, Bela Lugosi, Richard Arlen, Leila Hyams, Kathleen Burke
Country: USA
Genre: Adventure, Horror, Sci-Fi, Romance

Island of Lost Souls (1932) Criterion Collection
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BD50 + DVD9 | 1080p AVC, NTSC 4:3 | 01:10:49 | 39.1 Gb + 7.66 Gb + 3% rec
Language: English
Subtitles: English

Extras:

• Commentary - an audio commentary by writer and film historian Gregory Mank. The commentary was recorded in New York City in June 2011.

• Landis, Baker, and Burns - in this video piece, director John Landis, award winning makeup artist Rick Baker, and horror film aficionado Bob Burns discuss the the unique cast of Island of Lost Souls, the various costumes and makeups seen in the film, and Charlie Gemora's work in particular, the main characters, director Erle C. Kenton and his legacy, classic horror films, etc. The video piece was filmed in 2011. In English, not subtitled. (17 min).

• David J. Skal - in this video interview, historian and documentary filmmaker David J. Skal discusses H. G. Wells' famous novel The Island of Doctor Moreau and the key themes in it as well as Erle C. Kenton's film and its production history, Tod Browning's Freaks, etc. The interview was recorded in 2011. In English, not subtitled. (14 min).

• Richard Stanley - a fascinating video interview with writer and filmmaker Richard Stanley, who discusses Island of Lost Souls as well as John Frankenheimer's controversial The Island of Dr. Moreau, which he was initially hired to film for New Line Cinema. In English, not subtitled. (15 min).

• Casale and Mothersbaugh - this video piece, produced in 2011, features interviews with Gerald Casale and Mark Mothersbaugh, founding members of the band Devo, who were influenced by Island of Lost Souls. In English, not subtitled. (20 min).

• Short Film - an early short film by Gerald Casale and Mark Mothersbaugh titled In the Beginning Was the End: The Truth About De-Evolution. In English, not subtitled. (10 min).

• Stills Gallery - a gallery of stills with the faces of the various beast-men and characters seen in the film.

• Trailer - the original theatrical trailer for Island of Lost Souls. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).

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Island of Lost Souls (1932) Eureka! Masters of Cinema
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BD50 + DVD9 | 1080p AVC, NTSC 4:3 | 01:10:36 | 26 Gb + 4.46 Gb + 3% rec
Language: English
Subtitles: English

Extras:

• Simon Callow - in this video interview, Charles Laughton biographer Simon Callow discusses the production history of Island of Lost Soul, its key themes and appeal, H.G. Wells' novel, etc. The interview was conducted in London in February 2012 exclusively for The Masters of Cinema Series. In English, not subtitled. (13 min).

• Jonathan Rigby - in this video interview, film critic and historian Jonathan Rigby discusses the Island of Lost Souls, the dramatization of H.G. Wells' novel, the evolution of the horror genre, etc. The interview was conducted in London in February 2012 exclusively for The Masters of Cinema Series. In English, not subtitled. (15 min).

• Trailer - the original theatrical trailer for Island of Lost Souls. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).

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