Hell Ship Mutiny is a 1957 American South Seas adventure film directed by Lee Sholem and Elmo Williams starring Jon Hall who also produced and narrated the film.[1] It is a compilation of a 1955 unsold television pilot Knight of the South Seas.[2][3] Hall's father Felix Locher plays the role of a native chief.[4]
| Hell Ship Mutiny | |
|---|---|
 Original film poster | |
| Directed by | |
| Written by |
|
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Sam Leavitt |
| Edited by | Elmo Williams |
| Music by | |
Production company | Lovina Productions |
| Distributed by | Republic Pictures |
Release date |
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Running time | 66 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
This film is now in the public domain.
Plot
editCaptain Jim Knight, and his crew Roxy, Tula, and a chimp named Salty sail the South Seas in search of adventure. They discover a criminal gang has taken over a small island, forcing the native pearl divers to dive beyond safe limits.
After capturing the three-man gang, Knight takes them to Tahiti for trial where the men escape and force Knight to sail them to New Zealand. Knight subdues them again but this time a minor French magistrate is sent to the island to try them there. The magistrate joins the criminals when a native boy locates the wreck of a lost ship containing a Burmese king's treasure.
Cast
edit- Jon Hall as Capt. Jim Knight
- John Carradine as Malone
- Peter Lorre as Commissioner Lamoret
- Roberta Haynes as Princess Mareva
- Mike Mazurki as Ross, chief henchman
- Charles Mauu as Tula, sailor
- Stanley Adams as Roxy, first mate
- Danny Richards Jr. as Tatoa, native boy
- Felix Locher as King Parea
- Peter Coe as Prince Terahi
- Michael Barrett as Pinky, Malone Henchman
- Salvador Baguez as Kuala
- Salty the Chimp as Salty
Production
editIn October 1955 Jon Hall, who had just finished starring in Ramar of the Jungle, announced he would play a sea captain in a new TV series Knight of the South Seas. It would be made by his own production company, Lovina.[5] In December Hedda Hopper reported that Hall had already shot footage in the south seas and signed his first co-star, John Carradine.[6]
Filming started 15 December 1955 at Fox Western Avenue studios.[7] Two episodes were filmed.
In May 1956 Hall announced the series would premiere in Tahiti, where Hall grew up.[8]
The pilot was not picked up so Hall combined the episodes for a feature film.[9]
Reception
editThe Monthly Film Bulletin said "apart from the fights and good underwater shots this juvenile adventure film sadly lacks vitality."[10]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Vagg, Stephen (9 April 2022). "The Campy, Yet Surprisingly Interesting Cinema of Jon Hall". Filmiink.
- ^ "Bio Two". Archived from the original on 22 February 2010. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
- ^ p. 396 Youngkin, Stephen D. The Lost One: A Life of Peter Lorre University Press of Kentucky, 30 September 2005
- ^ "Felix Locher". IMDb.
- ^ Matinee Series Calls for Top Names; Jon Hall to Play Sea Captain Ames, Walter. Los Angeles Times 24 October 1955: 32.
- ^ Looking at Hollywood: Once Hungry in Hollywood, Silvers Now Sought for Film Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune 12 December 1955: c8.
- ^ 'Miracle on 34th St.' First Christmas Fare; Perry Gets Top Singer Ames, Walter. Los Angeles Times 14 December 1955: 34.
- ^ Louella Parsons: Dorothy Dandridge Won't Lack Money The Washington Post and Times-Herald 18 May 1956: 73.
- ^ Terrace, Vincent (9 October 2018). Encyclopedia of Unaired Television Pilots, 1945-2018. McFarland. p. 126. ISBN 9781476633497.
- ^ HELL SHIP MUTINY Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 26, Iss. 300, (1 Jan 1959): 19.
External links
edit- Hell Ship Mutiny at IMDb
- Hell Ship Mutiny is available for free viewing and download at the Internet Archive