Mares de Java

Silly dialogue and some unpleasant stereotypes almost sink this one from Universal's Carl Laemmle period. Still some good action sequences and a really good musical score mostly penned by Franz Waxman. Music reused most notably in "Tim Tyler's Luck" (1937) and "The Crime of Dr. Hallet" (1938). Charles Bickford was hurt badly after wrestling with some unhappy lions in the finale. Worth a look if you can find it!

This seldom seen Universal horror/adventure film tells the story of a ship with a cargo of lions, panthers, leopards, and tigers crashing on the shore on a small island. The animals survive only to stalk the band of survivors from the boat. Against the backdrop of this we have an odd sort of love triangle between the self-professed leader of the human survivors(played in an incredibly annoying manner by Charles Bickford), a dandy sort of fellow played by Frank Albertson, and the pretty woman aboard a boat full of men(gee, I was real surprised there was some tension amongst the men). Elizabeth Young plays the heroine and is quite good as she openly shows her love for Albertson but feels something for the bruteness of Bickford. The rest of the survivors include three wonderful characterizations by three wonderful character actors. First, Leslie Fenton plays the ship's captain and, he is very good in this subtle, complex role. Clarence Muse also shines as a deck-mate(except when he sings when he shouldn't). Sig Ruman, however, does the best as a former lion tamer who goes crazy. The sequence where he experiences his flashback is very innovative and inspired acting. The film is fast-paced and the sets look authentic. For me the only real flaw was Bickford and his annoying acting "talent."

#1 - I never realized Charles Bickford was ever a leading/romantic actor. I learn something new every day. I'm not sure that the schlock is vintage Universal or if it's vintage 1935 schlock. All these people get trapped on a desert island with a bunch of lions and tigers. What I don't understand is....... #1. This is a fairly decent sized island, why are the animals stuck there with the humans when I would think they would be hunting for more available meat than the fight they're getting from Bickford and crew. #2. For being "trapped" in a cave, there's a back escape they use at the end of the picture. Why didn't they use it 55 min earlier in the feature. #3. They had a gun. Why not shoot the animals??? Dialogue is very hokey: "(Scream) THEY'RE FIGHTING!" So? It's only 71 min long there are other ways to waste 72 min that are more troublesome. This got me thru a bag of microwave popcorn.