HELL’S ISLAND
US, 1955, 84 minutes, Colour.
John Payne, Mary Murphy, Francis L.Sullivan, Eduardo Noriega, Arnold Moss, Paul Picerni.
Directed by Phil Karlson.
John Payne, who had appeared in dramas and, especially, musicals in the 1940s, became an actor in serious action shows during the 1950s. This is definitely one of those – although it has strong echoes of film noir in Mary Murphy as quite a femme fatale.
There is an unusual opening credits sequence with action going on behind the titles but the audience not hearing any words, leading to a confrontation, guns, and the hero, Mike, being wounded. In hospital, he is being interrogated in the story unfolds in flashback. He has been hired by a big criminal, a heavy, literally because he is played by the big British actor Francis L. Sullivan. After being abandoned by his girlfriend, Janet, Mary Murphy, Mike went on a bender, losing his law practice, and now being hired to track down a ruby allegedly in the possession of Janet.
He goes to the island where she lives, mingles with the crowds, finds his first contact murdered at a cockfight, ignored by Janet in the street, then summoned to her house.
It is a tangled tale, especially as Janet does a lot of the tangling, wanting Mike to rescue her imprisoned husband, confessing that she actually tampered with the plane causing the fatal accident for which he is accused. However, there is even more to the story, the husband being pleased to be safe in prison from his murderous wife is also after his life insurance.
A set up, trapping Janet, her being arrested, Mike then confronting the criminal and back to the opening credits sequence.
The film is directed by Phil Karlson, a veteran from the 1930s of a great number of action films – and his having quite a strong reputation in his field.
1. 1950s action adventure with many touches of film noir.
2. The title, the location, the island itself, the sea, the resorts, mansions, prisons, the police? The musical score?
3. The opening during the credits, the action without words, the characters, the confrontation, guns, shots, the hero wounded, taken to hospital, his being interrogated, the flashbacks and the story? The reprisal of the opening scene, the shootings, the deaths of the villain?
4. Mike Cormack, his background, the law, his relationship with Janet, her leaving him, marriage, his going on benders, in the clubs, security? His being approached by Barzland? The proposition about the ruby? The payment? The involvement of Janet?
5. His going to the island, his cover, at the hotel, the employee spying on him, information to Janet? His wandering the town, the statues and his fascination? Looking for the contact, the cockfight, the murder of the contact? His seeing Janet in the town, her rejection of him, sending the message, his going to visit her? His feelings?
6. Janet, her background, leaving Mike, marrying Eduardo, his wealth? The issue of the ruby and her denial? Eduardo in prison, for murder, his partner, the tampering with the plane, the trial? Janet and her confession that she tampered with the plane, her motivations? Wanting to get Eduardo out of prison, asking Mike to help, the rescue?
7. Janet, the contact with Paul, the statues? His being on the boat for the rescue?
8. Barzland, in the wheelchair, the thugs, the confrontation with Mike, threats, violence? The ruby?
9. Mike on the island, meeting Eduardo, his feeling safe in prison, his innocence, his being comfortable and safe, the truth about Janet? His life insurance?
10. The police, Mike and his plan, Janet on the boat, shooting Paul, turning around? Her plausible story to Mike? The appeal to him, the discovery of the ruby, the police and her arrest?
11. The confrontation with Barzland, guns drawn, Barzland falling out the window, Mike shot, his recovery?
