The Lost World 1925 – the original silent adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s novel, with explorers finding surviving dinosaurs. It features beautiful animation by Willis O’Brien. But more importantly, characters that we care about, and conflict between them. And a heartbreaking sacrifice by one member of the expedition.
The Lost World (1925) starring Wallace Beery, Bessie Love, Lewis Stone
I initially watched The Lost World 1925 to see the animation done by the great Willis O’Brien. And it was beautiful, and well done. But more than that, it’s a really excellent movie! I was very pleasantly surprised. Professor Challenger is a delight, especially with his temper! In addition to the underlying conflict, with beautiful cinematography is the expedition is on its way, with the cheetahs and monkeys, and so on. And there’s an underlying conflict because the older John Roxton, is in love with the young female protagonist. And she knows it. But along the way, she falls in love with a handsome young reporter.
In a real sense, she’s the motivation behind the entire expedition. Her father has found this lost world, and has been lost. And she doesn’t know if he’s alive or dead. After they get there, Roxton finds the corpse of her father, as well as a locket with her photo inside it. And shortly after she breaks his heart, by telling him, she’s going to marry another man, he gives her the locket. He does it sadly and remorsefully, it’s not retribution or vengeance. It truly saddens him that he has to deliver the bad news. It’s a heart-breaking moment.
Product Description
Blu-ray edition. Follow Professor Challenger, played by the inimitable Wallace Beery, as he and a crew of curious explorers embark on an expedition in search of a mythical, prehistoric plateau in South America. Along for the adventure are eminent scientist Summerlee (Arthur Hoyt, the director’s brother), sportsman Sir John Roxton (Lewis Stone), journalist Ed Malone (Lloyd Hughes) and Paula White (Bessie Love), whose father disappeared on the same plateau. The party is not there long before the “lost world” of the jungle begins to reveal it’s secrets: a primitive ape-man, a Pterodactyl flying through the air, a massive Brontosaurus feeding upon the trees, the vicious Allosaurus, and many more monstrous beasts of the Jurassic age.
True to it’s title, the 1925, 10-reel version of The Lost World effectively disappeared from circulation in 1929-all known positive prints destroyed-a move by First National Pictures to help clear the way for another “creature film” utilizing special effects and Willis O’Brien’s cutting-edge animation techniques: King Kong. For more than 80 years, only abridged editions of The Lost World remained in existence… until now!
Cast of characters
- Bessie Love (Human Wreckage) … Paula White. Her father, Maple White, disappeared on the original expedition that discovered the dinosaur-filled plateau. She has a very personal interest in the rescue expedition.
- Lewis Stone (Love Laughs at Andy Hardy; The Office Wife) … Sir John Roxton. Friend of both Paula and Challenger, a famous hunter, who’s integral to the success of the institution.
- Wallace Beery (The Champ; Grand Hotel) … Professor Challenger. Brilliant, but temperamental scientist. He’s mocked for not have any proof of the lost world, and wants to launch his own expedition. If he can find the funds.
- Lloyd Hughes (The Mysterious Island 1929) … Ed Malone. The handsome young reporter. Roxton’s friend, he wants to prove his worth to his fiancé, and so meets with Challenger. And after a fight between them, he convinces him to let his newspaper fund the expedition.
- Alma Bennett … Gladys Hungerford. Ed’s fiancée — who marries someone else while he’s off on the expedition.
- Arthur Hoyt (Start Cheering) … Professor Summerlee. The skeptic who wants to go along to see with his own eyes. Also a former minister, who performs an impromptu wedding on the plateau.
- Margaret McWade (The Bishop’s Wife) … Mrs. Challenger. Challenger’s loving wife, who wishes that her husband could control his temper …
- Bull Montana … Ape-man. An antagonist, who keeps attacking the expedition. Shot by Roxton, he escapes … For a time.
- Frank Finch Smiles … Austin. Challenger’s butler, who comes on the expedition.
- Jules Cowles … Zambo. An Indian servant, member of the expedition.
- George Bunny … Colin McArdle
- Charles Wellesley … Maj. Hibbard
- Jocko the Monkey … Jocko – the Monkey
Additional Cast
- Arthur Conan Doyle … Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- Mary the Chimpanzee … Mary – the Chimpanzee
- Virginia Brown Faire … Marquette – Half-Caste Girl
- George Marion … Old Professor
- Nelson McDowell … Lawyer Advising the Editor
- Jack Murphy … Office Boy
- Robert Page … Policeman
- Leo White (Grand Hotel; The Champion) … Percy Potts