A WHOLE LOTTA LOTA

"There was danger in her smile . . . death in her embrace!"

- Island of Lost Souls Movie Herald

Billed as "The Panther Woman" in Paramount's ISLAND OF LOST SOULS (1932), Indiana-born and Chicago-bred Kathleen Burke was cast for the the part after a nationwide talent search by the studio. She was picked out an estimated 60,000 hopefuls. Glenn Rardin, a photographer whose shots of her helped her to win became her first husband not long after.

Burke was signed to a contract and after ISLAND OF LOST SOULS was cast opposite film stars such as Gary Cooper (LIVES OF A BENGAL LANCER) and Cary Grant (THE LAST OUTPOST).

She attempted to escape her "cat woman" image by appearing on stage in a number of plays in widely different roles. She gave the whole Hollywood thing up in 1938 and retired from acting at the ripe old age of 25.

In the meantime, though, Burke was most noted for her 19 year-old feline graces and cat-like eyes as Lota in ISLAND OF LOST SOULS.

Shown here are various photos, lobby cards and posters with Burke as Lota. Included are several clippings from fan magazines of the day from her role in ISLAND OF LOST SOULS and others.

The FILM DAILY YEARBOOK for 1933 lists the search for "The Panther Woman" as Paramount's best exploitation campaign of the year 1932.

Movie Herald for ISLAND OF LOST SOULS.

MOVIE CLASSIC January 1933 page shows Glen Rardin and Burke.

PICTURE PLAY February 1933.

SILVER SCREEN February 1935.

An obvious take-off on "The Weaker Sex", from FILM FUN  April 1933.

"The eyes have it". SILVER SCREEN June 1935.

MURDERS IN THE ZOO REVIEWED IN THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER 1933

Lionel Atwill was fresh off from playing one of his many "mad doctor" roles in MYSTERY OF THE WAX MUSEUM and Kathleen Burke had not long completed her role as the exotic Lota, The Panther Woman in ISLAND OF THE LOST SOULS when they appeared together in Paramount's MURDERS IN THE ZOO. Premiering on 1 March 1933, THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER reviewed it the same day in their 1 March 1933 issue.

Hollywood horror films in general were on the rise (some critics contend they were close to peaking for the "classic" period) and audiences waited anxiously for anything that would provide thrills and chills. According to the review, the film was "fairly patchy and scrappy", and "goes up and down like a scenic railway". The film suffers -- as many horror films do -- with its disruptive use of comedy by its top-billed star, Charlie Ruggles. Otherwise, THE REPORTER when on to say, "there are several punch sequences that will chill the spectators' spines and make them feel like they're getting their money's worth".

The picture at the top with its interesting use of color is a full page ad from THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER issue of 3 March 1933. Burke is ballyhooed with her Panther Woman role, but it would be the last time she appeared in a horror film.