Hell Ship Mutiny
1957 film by Elmo Williams, Lee Sholem
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 |
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| Produced by |
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| 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
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]