In 1925, audiences mobbed theaters to see a silver screen sensation. No, it wasn't because one of their favorite stars were in their latest movie -- it was because of dinosaurs! Released in March, 1935, First National Pictures beat Universal to the punch with THE LOST WORLD, a film based on a popular novel (U's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA would premiere in September). It would also have the distinction of being the first full-length film featuring stop-motion animation. Willis "Obie" Obrien was called in to make the miniature magic happen. He convinced Marcel Delgado to come aboard (Delgado was still in art school and wanted to finish) and create the dinosaur models. He did this by building a steel ball-and-socket armature over which he built it up with sponge and cotton and covered it all with a latex "skin".
Arthur Conan Doyle's THE LOST WORLD was a mid-twenties silent film wonder. Directed by Harry O. Hoyt, it was an adventure film the likes which had not yet been seen. An article in THE HOLLWOOD REPORTER said: "On World, O’Brien created about five seconds of footage a day. The technology was so revolutionary that when Doyle showed an early test reel to the Society of American Magicians in 1922, The New York Times couldn’t decide whether “these pictures were intended by the famous author as a joke on the magicians or are genuine pictures.”
Combining live action actors with dinosaurs on miniature sets was a tough challenge, but between O'Brien, Delgado and cinematographer, Arthur Edeson, the scenes were remarkable for the early technology.
The film became a box-office smash and earned over $1,000,000, a lot of money in those days. It was advertised heavily, and this 14-page insert appeared in the February 14, 1925 issue of MOTION PICTURE WORLD.
BONUS! Cecil Holland, makeup man for THE LOST WORLD puts the finishing touches on ex-wrestler, Bull Montana, who plays an ape man in the film. From FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND #36 (December, 1965):
EXTRA BONUS! Production stills from THE LOST WORLD. Dinosaur models by Marcel Delgado and animation by Willis "O'bie" O'Brien, who both worked together again on KING KONG!
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