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.p. 396 Youngkin, Stephen D. The Lost One: A Life of Peter Lorre University Press of Kentucky, 30 September 2005 Hall's father Felix Locher plays the role of a native chief.
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
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.Matinee Series Calls for Top Names; Jon Hall to Play Sea Captain Ames, Walter. Los Angeles Times 24 October 1955: 32. In December Hedda Hopper reported that Hall had already shot footage in the south seas and signed his first co-star, John Carradine.Looking at Hollywood: Once Hungry in Hollywood, Silvers Now Sought for Film Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune 12 December 1955: c8.
Filming started 15 December 1955 at Fox Western Avenue studios.'Miracle on 34th St.' First Christmas Fare; Perry Gets Top Singer Ames, Walter. Los Angeles Times 14 December 1955: 34. Two episodes were filmed.
In May 1956 Hall announced the series would premiere in Tahiti, where Hall grew up.Louella Parsons: Dorothy Dandridge Won't Lack Money The Washington Post and Times-Herald 18 May 1956: 73.
The pilot was not picked up so Hall combined the episodes for a feature film.
Reception The Monthly Film Bulletin said "apart from the fights and good underwater shots this juvenile adventure film sadly lacks vitality."HELL SHIP MUTINY Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 26, Iss. 300, (1 Jan 1959): 19.
See also Public domain film List of American films of 1957 List of films in the public domain in the United States
References
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