La pericolosa partita

Well-heeled hunter Joel McCrea (as Robert Rainsford) survives a yacht wreck and shark attacks, then finds himself washed up on a mysterious island. Stranded, Mr. McCrea finds refuge with the island's only inhabitant, creepy Russian Count Leslie Banks (as Zaroff). In Mr. Banks' fortress castle, McCrea meets survivors of a previous shipwreck, beautiful Fay Wray (as Eve Trowbridge) and her boozy brother Robert Armstrong (as Martin Trowbridge). McCrea is pleased to discover Mr. Banks shares his interest in big game hunting; Banks tells McCrea, "We are kindred spirits." But, Banks' choice of prey becomes a problem for his houseguests…

From many of the folks who were soon to unleash "King Kong" (1933) on an unsuspecting public, this well-paced early talkie is a classic due to associations with its RKO Radio Picture cousin (there are several similarities). The subject matter is intriguing. And, more importantly, "The Most Dangerous Game" features Banks' delightful scenery-chewing, ahead-of-its-time characterization of the articulate madman "Zaroff". Both Richard Connell's story, and Banks' take on the villainous character, would be much imitated.

******** The Most Dangerous Game (9/16/32) Ernest B. Schoedsack ~ Joel McCrea, Leslie Banks, Fay Wray, Robert Armstrong