Hell Ship Mutiny
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. It is a compilation of a 1955 unsold television pilot Knight of the South Seas.[1][2] Hall's father Felix Locher plays the role of a native chief.[3]
| Hell Ship Mutiny | |
|---|---|
 Original film poster | |
| Directed by | Lee Sholem Elmo Williams |
| Produced by | George Bilson Jon Hall |
| Written by | DeVallon Scott and Wells Root |
| Starring | Jon Hall John Carradine Peter Lorre Roberta Haynes Mike Mazurki |
| Narrated by | Jon Hall |
| Music by | Paul Sawtell Bert Shefter |
| Cinematography | Sam Leavitt |
| Edited by | Elmo Williams |
Production company | Lovina Productions |
| Distributed by | Republic Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 66 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
This film is now in the public domain.
Plot
Captain 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
- 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
In 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.[4] In December Hedda Hopper reported that Hall had already shot footage in the south seas and signed his first co-star, John Carradine.[5]
Filming started 15 December 1955 at Fox Western Avenue studios.[6] Two episodes were filmed.
In May 1956 Hall announced the series would premiere in Tahiti, where Hall grew up.[7]
The pilot was not picked up so Hall combined the episodes for a feature film.[8]
Reception
The Monthly Film Bulletin said "apart from the fights and good underwater shots this juvenile adventure film sadly lacks vitality."[9]
See also
References
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 22 February 2010. Retrieved 25 October 2012.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- p. 396 Youngkin, Stephen D. The Lost One: A Life of Peter Lorre University Press of Kentucky, 30 September 2005
- https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0516646/bio
- 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
- Hell Ship Mutiny at IMDb
- Hell Ship Mutiny is available for free download at the Internet Archive