The Last Moment

Hercules Napoleon Cameron, who finds his adventure in books, is searching the waterfront with Alice Winthrop for a friend's father when they are shanghaied and taken aboard "The Finn's" ship, bound for the South Seas. "The Finn" is a brutal captain who reinforces his authority with a caged, ape-like monster. "The Thing" escapes during a storm, destroys the captain and crew, then turns on Alice and Nap. Fearing that their last moment has arrived, they declare their love for each other, and Nap suddenly develops a heroic impulse. He holds off the monster for a time, Alice and Nap swim for shore closely followed by "The Thing," and Nap finally drowns the beast with the aid of a large abalone. A lost film.

Directed by J. Parker Read Jr., The Last Moment leans on a strong ensemble — Henry Hull, Doris Kenyon, Louis Wolheim — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about horror titles of 1923.