Directed by Erle C. Kenton • 1932 • United States
Starring Charles Laughton, Richard Arlen, Leila Hyams
A twisted treasure from Hollywood’s pre-Code horror heyday, ISLAND OF LOST SOULS is a cautionary tale of science run amok, adapted from H. G. Wells’s novel “The Island of Dr. Moreau.” In one of his first major movie roles, Charles Laughton is a mad doctor conducting ghastly genetic experiments on a remote island in the South Seas, much to the fear and disgust of the shipwrecked man (Richard Arlen) who finds himself trapped there. This touchstone of movie terror, directed by Erle C. Kenton, features expressionistic photography by Karl Struss, groundbreaking makeup effects that have inspired generations of monster-movie artists, and the legendary Bela Lugosi in one of his most gruesome roles.
Up Next in Classic Hollywood
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Bride of Frankenstein
Directed by James Whale • 1935 • United States
Starring Boris Karloff, Elsa Lanchester, Colin CliveIn James Whale’s celebrated sequel to his 1931 horror classic, Mary Shelley’s monster forces his creator, Dr. Frankenstein (Colin Clive), to make him a mate. Horror icon Boris Karloff reprises his...
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Creature from the Black Lagoon
Directed by Jack Arnold • 1954 • United States
Starring Richard Carlson, Julie Adams, Richard DenningIn this pulp-horror classic (originally shot in 3D), American scientists on an Amazon expedition get more than they bargained for when a dark tributary turns up a prehistoric man with gills. Hal...
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Frankenstein
Directed by James Whale • 1931 • United States
Starring Colin Clive, Mae Clarke, John Boles“A monster science created—but could not destroy!” Considered by many to be the greatest horror film of all time, James Whale’s FRANKENSTEIN tells the at once terrifying and poetic tale of a maniacal scie...