After Universal scored such hits with 'Dracula' and 'Frankenstein' in 1931, it was clear that horrifying audiences was big business. Amongst the steady stream of cinematic terrors that followed, a year later Paramount brought us swathes of monstrosities courtesy of HG Wells and his insane Doctor Moreau.The make-up for the 'lost souls' is very impressive on the more subtle mutations, but less so on the more 'advanced' experiments. Which brings us to the most vocal, The Sayer of the Law, played by Bela 'Dracula' Lugosi (as he is billed, just above 'The Panther Woman'). Covered in fur, this is the actor that, a year earlier, had supposedly turned down the Frankenstein Monster for fear the make-up would obscure his matinée looks (which is given as one of a number of reasons he didn't end up playing the role despite being touted for it). The Sayer of the Law would seem to debunk that particular theory.Lota, the Panther Woman herself, is played very appealingly by Kathleen Burke in an outfit that exposes a lot of flesh for the time. Her growing relationship with Richard Arlen as Parker – a hero not quite as overshadowed by the other characters as is usual in horror films from this era – is interesting, but causes problems when his girl Ruth (Leila Hyams) travels all the way to the remote island to look for him.Finally, what an actor Charles Laughton was. Whilst time has rendered the performances of some of the actors around him dated and theatrical, Laughton's Moreau is every bit as convincing and villainous in 2017 as he was 85 years ago. Superbly spoken but dripping with malice, or uncontrolled and snarling like one of his own animalistic experiments, he is compelling at all times. Moreau's ultimate fate is one of the most unpleasant you could imagine, but horribly satisfying too.This is a mighty slice of grim and effective cinema. We could smile at some of the quaint make-up effects of course, but Director Erle C Kenton is at his creative peak here. He would go on to direct future Universal horrors, but never does he imbue them with the sense of unease and danger as is on show here. Strange, leering faces loom of out the jungle, misshapen shapes move in the shadows, revealing deformed limbs – or in one case, a solitary hoof – although we are fairly sure that their animalistic fury is directed only at those responsible for their current predicaments.After all, 'are we not men?'

I know H.G Wells hated this adaptation of his novel "The Island of Dr. Moreau" but the film is a brilliant one. Rather violent for its time - it was banned in Great Britain for many years - this film is a well-made one. Charles Laughton steals the film as the evil scientist, Dr. Moreau. Bela Lugosi was wasted in his brief scenes but still adds a lot to the proceedings.The recent DVD has restored picture and sound quality.One of the leading horror films of the 1930s.

You can't go wrong with Charles Laughton playing the heavy. Here is is cast as Dr. Moreau, the evil vivisectionist from the famous H. G. Wells novel. He has created an island filled with animal-men who walk on two legs but maintain the features of their various animal counterparts. A man finds himself washed ashore on this island and he becomes privy to Laughton's experiments. He is helpless to do anything. He involves himself with one of Laughton's "people" for a while. This is mostly about the sickness of the island itself and Moreau's obsessions. One thing he doesn't count on is that wild animals have a sense of self preservation and potential violence. I love that cry in the jungle: "What is the Law? Are we not men?" An excellent retelling of a terrific story.

Dear Earl.C.Kenton,I am sure this was a provocative and controversial film for its time. A scientist who tries to play god by turning animals into humans and studying their behavior. Humans/animals kept as slaves in a controlled environment. Brainwashing and social repression through use of slogans (later used by the rock band Devo in their songs). Suggestions of bestiality. Voyeuristic study of human sexual behavior. Man messing with nature and paying for it. The dark side of human sexuality and its connection with mass riots. Charles Laughton was terrific as the sinister scientist. He had the best lines compared to the other actors. Arthur Hohl as the sullen Montgomery was also quite good. Richard Arlen was quite macho but he sort of disappears in the middle of the film. Kathleen Burke was too thin to be sexy as the scantily clad panther woman. I liked the sets on the island which were dark and in a state of decay indicating imminent mutiny and chaos. The film was a bit cheesy due to the bad acting by some of the monstrous human-animals. But even then, it is a film way ahead of its time. You seem to have made quite a lot of horror films. I will check them out, Earl.Best Regards, Pimpin.(6/10)