| 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  | 
  | 
Running time  | 66 minutes | 
| Country | United States | 
| Language | English | 
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]
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.[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
The Monthly Film Bulletin said "apart from the fights and good underwater shots this juvenile adventure film sadly lacks vitality."[10]
See also
References
- ↑ 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
- Hell Ship Mutiny at IMDb
 - Hell Ship Mutiny is available for free viewing and download at the Internet Archive
 
