HORROR ISLAND (1941) is one of the 1940's Universal horror films that gets very little attention. The main reason for this it that it does not feature any of the big horror stars the studio created in the 30's or even an actor from the 40's that went on to larger acclaim inside the genre. Although it reteams the male and female leads from THE MUMMY'S HAND (1940), playing essentially the same roles they enacted so well in that film, it seems that Universal didn't even bother to make note of the fact to ballyhoo this picture. Another thing working against it is the movie's lack of a monster of any kind. It sports a 'phantom' but beyond looking vaguely like The Shadow the character offers little in the way of classic chills to entice the thrill seeking crowd. So, what does HORROR ISLAND offer instead? A fog-bound castle off the coast of Florida, a cast of mildly interesting victims and a hunt for hidden pirate treasure are the ingredients tossed about by the script. It's all a bit light and silly but does this under seen film deliver the goods?
Once I'm finished babbling about the DC Comics animated films for video Troy and I discuss the film's comedic tone, creepy setting and it's stalk & kill plotline while marveling at the cast. Where else are you going to see the classic western sidekick actor Fuzzy Knight running around a gothic castle? We talk about the production history, the sick day that cost the film it's final scene and the clever use of left over sets. There is some examination of the idea of how difficult it would be to quickly get in and out of a suit of medieval armor and we wonder about well timed crossbow bolts. This is a movie that throws a lot of things at the wall and not all of them stick.
We close the show with two excellent messages from listeners. If you would like to send us your thoughts the show can be reached at thebloodypit@gmail.com where we'd be thrilled to hear from you. Thank you for listening to the show. Please share it with others that might like what we do!
194 - GHOST CATCHERS (1944)
193 - Revenge of the Email Sack!
192 - Martian Invasion 1953!
191 - STAR TREK IV - THE VOYAGE HOME (1986)
190 - EATING RAOUL (1982)
189 - Mabuse 1960's Films
188 - THE INVISIBLE MAN'S REVENGE (1944)
187 - THE DEVIL’S WEDDING NIGHT (1973)
186 - A CHRISTMAS HORROR STORY (2015)
185 - TEN LITTLE INDIANS (1965)
184 - PHASE IV (1974)
183 - Inner Sanctum Radio Shows
182 - THE SCARLET CLAW (1944)
181 - STAR TREK III: THE SEARCH FOR SPOCK
180 - CONQUEST (1983)
179 - CALLING DR. DEATH (1943) and WEIRD WOMAN (1944)
178 - RATS NIGHT OF TERROR (1984)
177 - STAR TREK II THE WRATH OF KHAN (1982)
176 - KING OF KONG ISLAND (1968)
175 - Buggy Emails!
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Cinema: A to B
I Finally Watched...
Star Wars Escape Pod
Pop Culture Happy Hour
Pod Meets World