Murders in the Zoo Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.0

Murders in the Zoo Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 25, 2019

1933’s “Murders in the Zoo” certainly wins points for its opening offering of horror, watching as the villain (played by Lionel Atwill) elects to deal with a man making a move on his young wife by binding his hands and sewing his mouth shut. In the pre-code industry, this is a fairly graphic introduction to the fear factor of “Murders in the Zoo,” and while subsequent malevolence doesn’t top such a sight, it’s comforting to know director A. Edward Sutherland isn’t messing around with the material, happy to deliver a few shocks to keep viewers on edge.

It turns out, hunter and zoologist Gorman (Atwill) has a lot of problems with people hitting on his bride, Evelyn (Kathleen Burke), with Hewitt (John Lodge) her most promising lover, and a man willing to challenge the husband on his spousal ownership issues. “Murders in the Zoo” uses this tension to explore a rather bizarre string of zoo-based elimination, as Gorman turns to the magical mystery of “accidental” death around all sorts of animals to cover his tracks. Suspense is nicely amplified by Sutherland, who does his best work around snake bites and alligator attacks, giving the feature a few surges of the macabre, which keeps it involving. Less necessary is comedy relief provided by Charles Ruggles, here playing a zoo press agent with a fear of the property’s furry and scaly residents.

Murders in the Zoo Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.37:1 aspect ratio) presentation offers a dated master of "Murders in the Zoo," but it's not a completely unappealing viewing experience. Softness dominates, losing the fine textures of costuming and facial surfaces, along with the detail of master shots while touring the cages of the zoo. The basics in clarity remain, capturing some thespian nuance in close-ups, and animal attacks register plainly. Grain is thick, losing some film-like quality. Delineation doesn't suffer, handling frame information agreeably. Source is in decent shape, with mild scratches and speckling, along with a few single frame jumps.

Murders in the Zoo Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix provides a simple but effective understanding of performances, with voices reasonably distinct, supporting some subtle antagonisms along the way. Scoring selections aren't precise, registering with basic changes in mood, losing a little in the way of true instrumentation. Sound effects capture growls with slight dullness. Hiss is found throughout the listening event.

Murders in the Zoo Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historian Greg Mank.

• Still Gallery (1:48) Collects film stills, publicity shots, lobby cards, and poster art.

• A Trailer has not been included.

Murders in the Zoo Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

While it dies when it aims for laughs, "Murders in the Zoo" doesn't frequent scenes of levity, mostly staying on course as a semi-demented serial killer tale that uses its location well, bringing in occasional animal action to add some unpredictability to the feature (animal lovers might not enjoy 1933 production standards when it comes to the welfare of the co-stars), connecting as a genre exercise in creepiness.