The Most Dangerous Game (1932)

Redundant and unnecessary.

Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike

As Good As It Gets

A Major Disappointment

Speaking for myself I remember Leslie Banks mostly as Chorus in the 1945 film version of Henry V, a role that is light years away from his barking host in this remake of the 1916 silent Hounds of Zaroff. If you're anything like a regular movie-goer chances are you've seen one of the several versions of this off-the-wall thriller which features 1) a remote island covered in jungle, 2) an improbably imposing 'castle' which lacks for nothing in respect of food, wine, clothing and even runs to a grand piano, all of which defy the logistics of actually getting them there, 3) a suitably looney-tune running the place, a slightly unbalanced Russian Count, Zaroff by name whose idea of after-dinner charades is to turn his guests loose with a 12- hour start and then hunt them down literally, with bow and arrow, high-powered hunting rifle and, if all else fails, a pack of hounds. Leslie Sands chews up everything in sight as Zaroff while Joel McCrea and Fay Wray are intrepid as his latest prey. At getting on for 85 years old this still grips.

Leslie Banks developed into a commanding actor, a presence difficult to ignore. I can only assume that here he was developing his craft. Yet the same flatness applies to the other cast members - Fay Wray and Joel McCrae. I cant help contrasting the film to Dracula which had such an atmosphere that even the silences crackle with electricity. This seems more like a filmed first read through. I think it is the script - it is too many words, without great purpose or significance - neither an interesting narrative or illuminating characters, their situations or their feelings. Joel McCrae was a naturalistic actor and absolutely no kind of stylist. Fay Wray is the only one to animate the proceedings - her petite prettiness, her fear, her vulnerability but comeliness of clothing. I think she and producers well knew her appeal - an audience torn between a compulsion to save her but tempted to take advantage and add to her woes. It's the first time I've watched the commercial breaks but turned away when the film resumed. I managed about 30 minutes then gave up.

The Most Dangerous GameIn the 1980s, the most dangerous game you could play was called: Lawn Darts.Thankfully, the only metal-tipped projectiles flying in this action-thriller are bullets.When his ship runs aground, big game hunter Rainsford (Joel McCrea) is marooned on an island where the sole inhabitant is a Russian aristocrat, Count Zaroff (Leslie Banks), who welcomes and introduces Rainsford to other survivors (Fay Wray, Robert Armstrong).Count Zaroff is also a huntsman and invites Rainsford to participant in his favourite sport: hunting humans. When Rainsford refuses, he first ends up prey to Zaroff's pack of wild dogs, and later to the Count himself.Shot on the same jungle sets as King Kong and featuring most of its cast and crew, this zippy black-and-white adaption of Richard Connell's seminal short story of survival is engrossing, engaging and highly entertaining.The worst part of hunting humans, however, has to be wearing their urine.Green Lightvidiotreviews.blogspot.ca

Leslie Banks stars as Count Zaroff, who is a mad hunter living on an isolated island. He likes to hunt any human being unfortunate enough to come ashore, and even has a trophy room where he displays his gruesome kills. A new quarry comes ashore when luxury cruise ship survivor Bob Rainesford(played by Joel McCrea) is at first welcomed, where he meets fellow castaways Eve(played by Fay Wray) and her brother Martin(played by Robert Armstrong), but will soon be shocked to find themselves in a life and death struggle with Zaroff in his jungle lair. Surprisingly potent film holds up well today. Plot may be obvious but acting and direction is solid, making this an effective, thought-provoking adventure.