SYNOPSIS: "The Most Dangerous Game" (1932) is a thrilling pre-Code adventure film based on the short story by Richard Connell. Directed by Irving Pichel and Ernest B. Schoedsack, the story follows renowned big-game hunter Bob Rainsford, played by Joel McCrea, who finds himself shipwrecked on an isolated island in the Caribbean. There, he encounters the enigmatic and aristocratic Russian Count Zaroff, portrayed by Leslie Banks, who reveals his chilling obsession with hunting the most dangerous prey of all: humans. Zaroff invites Rainsford to join him in a deadly game of cat and mouse, where the hunted become the hunters in a suspenseful battle for survival.

As Rainsford navigates the treacherous terrain of Zaroff's jungle island, he must rely on his wits and survival skills to evade capture and defeat the cunning and ruthless Zaroff. The film explores themes of primal instincts, morality, and the thrill of the hunt, culminating in a tense and dramatic showdown between hunter and hunted.

PLOT Spoiler Alert: A luxury yacht navigates a channel along the northeastern coast of South America, carrying passengers including Robert "Bob" Rainsford (Joel McCrae), a renowned big game hunter and author. Amidst discussions about hunting, Bob is challenged on whether he would switch roles with the animals he pursues. Ignoring warnings from the captain about discrepancies in the channel lights and nautical charts, the yacht runs aground, leading to a catastrophic explosion that claims all but one survivor: Bob himself. He manages to swim ashore to a nearby small island.

Observing suspicious changes in the channel lights from shore, Bob discovers evidence suggesting the yacht was intentionally led astray.

Seeking refuge, he encounters a chateau inhabited by Count Zaroff (Leslie Banks), an expatriate Russian and fellow hunting enthusiast familiar with Bob and his writings. Zaroff reveals that he has hosted four other shipwreck survivors as guests: Eve Trowbridge (Fay Wray), her alcoholic brother Martin (Robert Armstrong), and two sailors.

As Bob learns more about Zaroff's obsession with hunting, the Count cryptically mentions discovering "the most dangerous game" on the island, leaving Bob perplexed. Eve, growing increasingly suspicious of Zaroff, shares her concerns with Bob after the two sailors disappear following visits to Zaroff's trophy room. The discovery of human heads as Zaroff's trophies shocks Bob and Eve, and tensions escalate when Martin also vanishes during the night.

Realizing Zaroff's intentions, Bob confronts the Count, denouncing him as deranged when Zaroff reveals his plan to hunt humans. Zaroff offers Bob a chance to become his hunting partner, but Bob defiantly refuses, prompting Zaroff to designate Bob as the next prey. At dawn, Bob is released with a knife and supplies, given until midnight to evade Zaroff's pursuit across the island. Surviving until 4 a.m. will earn Bob freedom with the keys to Zaroff's boathouse.

Eve joins Bob in devising a trap for Zaroff, but their plans are thwarted when the Count discovers and counters their scheme. The ensuing hunt becomes a deadly cat-and-mouse game, culminating in Bob and Eve being cornered near a waterfall. In a desperate moment, Bob is attacked by Zaroff's hunting dog, leading to a climactic struggle where Zaroff shoots at Bob but inadvertently hits the dog, causing both to plummet into the water below.

Believing Bob dead, Zaroff returns with Eve to his fortress to claim his prize. However, Bob miraculously survives and returns to confront Zaroff. A fierce battle ensues, with Bob overcoming Zaroff's henchmen and fatally wounding the Count. As Bob and Eve make their escape in a motor boat, Zaroff, on the brink of death, attempts a final, futile attack with a bow from a window. His efforts fail, and he succumbs to his wounds, falling prey to his own hunting dogs below, symbolizing his ultimate defeat.

PRODUCTION: "The Most Dangerous Game" (1932), produced by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack, renowned for their work on "King Kong" (1933), was directed by Irving Pichel and Ernest B. Schoedsack. The film, based on a screenplay by James Ashmore Creelman adapted from Richard Connell's short story, unfolds on a remote Caribbean island.

Renowned big-game hunter Bob Rainsford, played by Joel McCrea, finds himself shipwrecked after a yacht disaster. He is rescued by the mysterious Count Zaroff, portrayed by Leslie Banks, who reveals himself as an aristocratic and sadistic hunter. Zaroff unveils his depraved passion for hunting the most dangerous game—humans. Rainsford becomes the unwilling prey in Zaroff's twisted game, where he must evade capture across treacherous jungle terrain while grappling with moral dilemmas of survival and confronting his own principles about hunting.

The film's innovative use of sound and atmospheric cinematography effectively captures the tension and peril of the island setting, heightening the suspense as Rainsford battles for his life against the cunning and ruthless Zaroff. Fay Wray delivers a compelling performance as Eve Trowbridge, further enriching the narrative dynamics. Filmed at night on sets later used in "King Kong" (1933), the production shared key actors such as Fay Wray, Robert Armstrong, James Flavin, and Noble Johnson.

Before filming commenced, RKO imposed stringent constraints, limiting the shooting schedule to three weeks and capping the budget at $202,662—slightly less than the final expenditure.

These restrictions necessitated significant adjustments, notably scaling down the shipwreck sequence and reducing the cast by nearly half, including seasoned actors like Walter McGrail, Theodore Von Eltz, and newcomers such as Creighton Chaney (Lon Chaney Jr.), whose roles were cut. Despite these challenges, "The Most Dangerous Game" remains a hallmark of early suspense cinema, blending thrilling action with thought-provoking themes about human nature and the ethics of sport and survival.

RELEASE: "The Most Dangerous Game" garnered widespread acclaim from critics upon its release. Mordaunt Hall of The New York Times lauded the film for its imaginative production, effective staging, and the standout performance of Leslie Banks as Count Zaroff. Despite the film's gruesome and unusual plot, Hall found its originality compelling, labeling it a highly satisfying melodrama. He particularly praised Banks for his portrayal of the enigmatic Count Zaroff, which overshadowed the performances of Joel McCrea as Rainsford and Fay Wray as Miss Trowbridge, whom Hall felt relied more on their youth and appearance.

Decades later, the film continued to receive positive appraisals from critics. Leonard Maltin described it as a vivid adaptation of Richard Connell's oft-filmed story, awarding it three out of four stars. Leslie Halliwell echoed these sentiments, praising it as a dated yet splendidly chilling melodrama that successfully blended horror, humor, and mystery, featuring a well-executed chase sequence. British magazine Time Out also commended the film, applauding its acting and suspense, and ranking it among the finest and most literate horror films of its era.

CAST:

• Joel McCrea as Bob Rainsford

• Leslie Banks as Count Zaroff

• Fay Wray as Eve Trowbridge

• Robert Armstrong as Martin Trowbridge

• Noble Johnson as Ivan

• Steve Clemente as Tartar

• William B. Davidson as Captain

• Oscar ‘Dutch’ Hendrian as Tartar Servant

CREW:

• Directors: Ernest B. Schoedsack, Irving Pichel

• Producers: Merian C. Cooper, Ernest B. Schoedsack

• Writers: James Ashmore Creelman (screenplay), Richard Connell (story)

• Cinematographer: Henry W. Gerrard

• Editor: Archie Marshek

• Music: Max Steiner

• Art Director: Carroll Clark

Production Company: RKO Radio Pictures
Distributor: RKO Radio Pictures

Release Date: September 16, 1932
Country of Origin: United States
Running Time: 63 minutes
Budget: $220,000
Box Office Return: $445,000

IMDB Rating =  7.1 / 10

TRIVIA:

• Originally, the preview version of the film (78 minutes) included longer trophy room scenes with more heads in jars, mounted figures, and gruesome details. These were toned down after shocking preview audiences.

• The film utilized jungle sets that were concurrently used for filming jungle scenes in "King Kong" (1933), sharing sets, crew, and some actors for efficiency.

• Noble Johnson, a multi-talented African-American actor and childhood friend of Lon Chaney, portrayed Ivan the Cossack, marking a notable instance of cross-racial casting.

• The original short story by Richard Connell, upon which the film is based, remains one of the most anthologized stories in literary history.

• Some screams of sailors heard during the sinking ship scene in "The Most Dangerous Game" were reused from "King Kong" (1933), linking the sound effects between the two films.

• Many standing sets from "King Kong" were utilized in this film, showcasing a cost-effective approach to production during simultaneous filming.

• "The Most Dangerous Game" performed well at the box office, earning RKO a profit according to studio records.

• Leslie Banks, despite suffering a disfiguring injury during World War I, became an international stage star and a popular British actor on Broadway.

• Zaroff's intimidating dogs were portrayed by Great Danes borrowed from Harold Lloyd, filmed at low angles with darkened coats to appear more menacing.

• Released before the Hays Code, the film pushed boundaries with its portrayal of violence and attire, reflecting the era's evolving standards in cinema.

• Leslie Banks was bitten by one of the Great Danes on set, prompting a memorable incident involving the dogs' handler.

• "The Most Dangerous Game" marked the film debut of Leslie Banks, who portrayed the resilient protagonist, Count Zaroff.

• Fay Wray appeared with her natural brunette hair in this film, in contrast to the blonde wig she wore in "King Kong" (1933).

• Various attempts and plans for remakes were made over the years, reflecting the enduring popularity and influence of the original film.

• The film, along with "King Kong" (1933), marked the first optical effects work by Linwood Dunn, a pioneering figure in cinematic effects.

• The film was one of several collaborations involving Ernest B. Schoedsack, Merian C. Cooper, and Fay Wray, contributing to their collective legacy in film.

• Robert Armstrong and Merian C. Cooper, closely associated with the film, passed away within a day of each other in 1973.

• "The Most Dangerous Game" influenced subsequent adaptations and inspired similar stories, leaving a lasting impact on the thriller genre.

"The Most Dangerous Game" remains a gripping thriller of survival and suspense, renowned for its intense story-

telling and atmospheric tension that captivates audiences with its chilling portrayal of human nature and primal instincts.