- Kathleen Burke, Island of Lost Souls, 1931. Naturally, Paramount organised a contest to find… The Pather Woman! Because despite Charles Laughton as Dr Moreau (oh, that island!) – opposite Richard Arlen, Leila Hyams and Bela Lugosi – Lota, The Panther Woman stole all, lock, stock and poster. Burke beat off Hillie, Lona Andre and producer-actress Gail Patrick to the rôle. She became so identified with Lota, she never won another movie. Paramount signed Hillie – until she contracted Bell’s Palsy, leading to work in health care administration.
Birth year: 1914Death year: 1997Other name: Casting Calls: 0