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Reviews:
Charles Ruggles Stops The Show
Universal's success with such films as DRACULA and FRANKENSTEIN prompted other studios to jump on the horror-genre bandwagon, and among the results was MURDERS IN THE ZOO, released in 1933 by Paramount. In many respects it is quite a fine film: the story is clever, the production values are quite fine, and the cast is unexpectedly memorable.
The story concerns big game hunter Eric Gorman (Lionell Atwill), who prefers to bring 'em back alive for exhibition, and opens in the wild--where Gorman is seen sewing shut a man's mouth because the man dared attempt to kiss his Gorman's wife Evelyn (Kathleen Brooke.) Upon their return to the United States, the terrified Evelyn determines to leave Gorman for handsome Roger Hewitt (John Lodge), but Gorman puts two and two together and comes up with murder.
Lionel Atwill was a popular player in shock-and-shudder shows of the 1930s and gives his usual polished performance; although not an outstanding actress, Kathleen Brooke is at least competent and possesses an unusual beauty that is unexpectedly appropriate for a woman captured and held by a game hunter. John Lodge, who later went on to a successful political career, is memorable as well. But, a bit oddly, MURDERS IN THE ZOO really rests on the shoulders of its supporting cast: Randolph Scott, Gail Patrick, and Charles Ruggles, who actually receives star billing over Lionel Atwill in spite of appearing in what is essentially a comic-relief role.
Ruggles, who specialized in playing disconcerted eccentrics, is perhaps best recalled for the classic BRINGING UP BABY, and in many respects MURDERS IN THE ZOO is typical of his work in the 1930s: a comic, dithering, and occasionally drunken publicity man hired to boost attendance at the zoo. Gail Patrick performed memorably in such famous films as MY MAN GODFREY, STAGE DOOR, and MY FAVORITE WIFE, most often cast as an icy and calculating character; here she has a change of pace as the sympathetic Jerry Evans, and she aquits herself quite well. Randolph Scott would soon become a memorable star of westerns; here, however, we catch him on his way up, cast as Jack Woodford, scientist at the zoo and Gail Patrick's love interest, and he is quite good as well.
But for all the notable or soon-to-be notable names, for all the clever plot ideas, for all its high quality in terms of production, MURDERS IN THE ZOO just never really seems to take off. To my mind, the problem is the script, which tends to emphasize Charles Ruggles' scatty pressman; Ruggles gives his usual expert performance, but the role doesn't really have anything to do with the plot and the action comes to a screeching halt whenever the camera focuses on Ruggles. The result, even with a short running time of just over an hour, makes the film seem rather drawn out.
Ultimately, MURDERS IN THE ZOO is a film best left to hardcore fans of 1930s horror who are interested in seeing what studios other than Universal were doing with the genre. Mildly recommended.
GFT, Amazon Reviewer
Lions and tigers and bears and mambas!
Rich zoologist Eric Gorman (Lionel Atwill) captures exotic animals for display in an American zoo. Gorman has a wandering wife portrayed by the delectable Kathleen Burke. Gorman takes extreme measures to dispose of the men who take an interest in Burke, and she is always on the prowl. The opening segment of this bizarre little thriller is chilling and gruesome, as one lover has his lying mouth sewn shut. Then the guy is left on his own in the jungles of French Indo-China long enough to become tiger chow. This 1930 movie is an example of pre-code Hollywood when sex and violence were more openly portrayed than in later classic B&W flicks. Gorman is delightfully insane and he is sexually stimulated by violent death. After dispatching of another lover at a zoo fund-raising dinner, Gorman caresses his wife's breast as she laments that death and desire are connected in his twisted psyche. Randolph Scott and Gail Patrick are around as a research scientist and his lab assistant. After Gorman's wife goes to pieces at the alligator pit, Scott discovers an interesting detail that is herpetological in signficance. More violence ensues, and the zoo animals go on the rampage. The climax is crushing if a bit rushed. Charlie Ruggles provides occasional comic relief. The old film has been nicely restored with clear audio. Fun for collectors. ;-)
Macabre little tale that really thrills
"Murders in the Zoo" is not a well known thriller at all but it really packs a punch with its scary story of an insanely jealous millionaire played by the great Lionel Atwill who will stop at nothing to keep others from showing any interest in his wife (Kathleen Burke). For the duration of this macabre little tale Atwill achieves this aim by resorting to murder by many sinister means to remove his supposed rivals for his wife's affection.Being the big game hunter and Zoo patron that he is Atwill is given ample scope with the aid of Alligators, lions and deadly snakes to despatch his victims and indeed a lot of the real horror in "Murders in the Zoo" is the amazingly explicit and horrific ways the victims are removed. His insanity takes him over as the film progresses and in the end his wife also becomes his victim as he throws her into a pit of hungry Alligators.For an early thirties movie "Murders in the Zoo' is very forthright in its horror story telling and is definately the product of a pre code school of film making as this type of extrememly violent story would not hav ebeen filmed later in the decade.Lionel Atwill, a horror movie regular throughout the 30's has a field day in this role and really makes "Murders" a top notch story with his chilling portrayal of an insane man who sees danger to himself everywhere. It is without a doubt one of his best performances. For some strange reason Charles Ruggles is top billed as Peter yates the Zoo's new press agent who has a fear of wild animals!! His is the one jaring presence in the film as his comedy playing seems to be for another different film altogether. Randolph Scott and Gail Patrick provide the appropiate love interest in the story but it is Atwill's film all the way and is what makes "Murders in the Zoo' such a memorable viewing experience. His piercing looks and menacing demenours are enough to make you feel all cold inside.The overraul look of this film is great and the use of many wild animals in the story is very well handled . The VHS print like alot of early Universal productions is perfect and looks like it was just filmed recently.For a truly bizzare viewing experience you can't go past "Murders in the Zoo". It is guaranteed it send chills up your spine and if you are fearful of snakes beware!! Dont watch thi salone.
Creepy fun
The acting is marginal, the story is interesting, and suspense good. The movie opens with a man with his mouth stitched shut (so he'll never tell another lie or kiss another man's wife) and proceeds from there. The villian is given to melodramatic pauses and leers, but that just adds to the fun. The PR man provides some good comic relief.As a side-light, it's interesting to see how zoos used to look.All in all, a nice little diversion.
Excellent!
I'd heard of this film, but had never seen it. Now that I have, you can bet that it won't be the last time. It's wonderful in all respects: The writing, directing, acting (particularly the always superb Lionel Atwill). And I was very impressed by the successful blend of extraordinary menace (thanks again, L.A.) and welcome humour (Charles Ruggles is always a pleasure).This is what movies used to be like. I wish they still were.
