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.