Murders In The Zoo (1933) aka El Asesino Diabólico

4 / 5 Oct '10
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: A. Edward Sutherland
Written by: Philip Wylie, Seton I. Miller
Actors include: Charles Ruggles, Lionel Atwill, Gail Patrick
Genre: Horror
Length: 62 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This was actually a surprising film in that it goes where one wouldn't think it would (heck in the opening scene we are watching a Zoologist sew someone's mouth shut). It's surprisingly graphic, and the nature of the killings in this is rather impressive (most are animal related deaths), especially when you consider this was made in 1933! A Zoologist who has a cheating wife and several enemies goes to town on those who've wronged him or ticked him off. He's a rather well written hilariously evil character that is easy to be amused by, certainly reminiscent of later Vincent Price roles. Where the film goes wrong is obnoxiously clumsy and befuddled reporter (Charles Ruggles) who chews up way too much air time and although I'm sure he was intended to be funny he's very far from it. Once you ignore that character the film is pretty wonderful though, and it's only just a tad over an hour long so it packs a lot of punch in a short time. Oh the other downside I feel I must mention, there is an impressive ending sequence revolving some fighting lions and other big cats. Back then they didn't have animal's rights activists for filming so they really did hurt some of the cats from my understanding, which is one hell of a shame. Still well worth a viewing, there aren't many like this, especially this ambitious, quite a film!

Availability:  On DVD

King Kong (1933)

4.5 / 5 July '10
Tagline: A Monster of Creation's Dawn Breaks Loose in Our World Today!
Directed by: N/A
Written by: James Ashmore Creelman, Ruth Rose
Actors Include: Robert Armstrong, Fay Wray, John Cabot
Genre: Adventure, Sci-Fi, Drama, Romance, Thriller
Length: 104 minutes
Banned: Finland

Review:
Wow this is one exquisitely filmed picture, it's downright shocking that they were able to accomplish so very much in 1933! The story is about some movie makers who are filming a picture on Skull Island, he's got most things in place, he's only missing a leading lady. Enter Ann Darrow (Fay Wray) a lovely but down on her luck young Lady who is eager to join the crew. When they get to this mysterious island things aren't quite what they expected. The locals seem to worship a giant gorilla named Kong, and they want to serve up Ann to him as a sacrifice. They give her to Kong, and that is where the film really takes off. See one of the film crew wants to capture the ape to bring it home for an attraction, and of course save the girl. The last half hour is pretty much amazing, the shots of New York are stunning and the effects are quite something. The scenes were Kong has gone nuts are my favorites but pretty much the entire thing is a spectacle. I can't believe it took me so long to watch this, this is something you just have to see no matter what sort of films you enjoy.

Availability:  On DVD & Blu-Ray