Adventure Island (1947) DVD-R

Starring Rory Calhoun, Rhonda Fleming, Paul Kelly, John Abbott, Alan Napier
Directed by Sam Newfield

Print: color
Runtime: 66 min.
Genre: adventure
Picture Quality: B

Rory Calhoun, Paul Kelly and John Abbot are beachcombers/semi-derelicts on an unnamed
but well-policed tropical island. Kelly, a sea captain in disgrace, is ordered to pilot a ship full
of champaigne to Sydney, that has been lying in the harbor since its captain and most of the
crew died of plague. He takes the other two along and plans on sailing elsewhere to sell the
cargo. After anchors aweigh, they discover that Rhonda Fleming, the daughter of the
deceased captain, is on board. This complicates matters, as does a fire on board, as does
the discovery that the champaigne cargo is really water. They arrive at an uncharted island
ruled by Alan Napier, a sophisticated British gentleman who is several cards short of
playing with a full deck. Crazy as a bedbug. More complications arise, such as snake pits
and acid-assassination attempts. Napier likes to keep his island tidy...something Sam
Newfield was unable to do with this film as the director. At PRC, he was used to Buster
Crabbe and "Fuzzy" St. John riding in and connecting the dots.