Dick Foran stars as a very broke captain of a ship. Leo Carillo, playing a one legged sailor, turns up claiming to have a map of a treasure on an island that Foran owns. As dark robed phantoms flit in and out and bill collectors come calling, Foran is forced to go and take a look for the treasure himself, which means that it isn't long before everyone is wandering the halls of an old dark house...er castle. More amusing romp then straight out horror film, this is a delightful little movie that just drives to its conclusion once it gets started. Starting on the docks of an unnamed city this movie has a nice atmospheric feel to it that get it points for not being your typical old dark house story. I never expected it to play out the way it did since where it starts doesn't really give any clue as to where it ends up, I thought it was going to be a more nautical story than it is.. While the plot line doesn't completely make sense, it really doesn't matter since the cast is having such a good time that you're willing to follow them anywhere. I had a blast. Highly recommended for a dark and stormy night of late night movie watching.
30 Reviews
Comedy creaker from the house of shriek.
hitchcockthelegend5 October 2010
Out of Universal Pictures, Horror Island is directed by George Waggner and stars Dick Foran, Leo Carrillo, Peggy Moran, Fuzzy Night, John Eldredge, Iris Adrian & Lewis Howard. Screenplay is written by Victor McLeod & Maurice Tombragel from an original story by Alex Gottlieb, music is by H. J. Salter and cinematography comes from Elwood Bredell.
Thought to be the cheapest made of all the Universal Pictures releases in the 1940s, Horror Island is in no way a great movie. However, if viewed on its own fun comedy chiller terms it delivers for those of the Dark House mystery persuasion. Plot sees a group of dissimilar human beings gathered on the titular island of the title under the guise of searching for hidden treasure in a haunted mansion. Quelle surprise as things actually do start to go bump in the night and the group start being picked off one by one. Very much in the flavour of Ten Little Indians, but with Universal's trademark sets and atmosphere building (Bredell always impressive whatever the budget), Horror Island (ignore the foreboding sounding title) is a whole bunch of fun. Some of the plot doesn't add up, but that adds to the mystery; which why we are on the subject, the mystery reveal of the villain is a pleasant surprise. While the cast have fun and play it accordingly, particularly the delightful Adrian and Foran with his little knowing looks throughout.
Full of creaky doors, moving floors and all that sort of ghost house stuff, Horror Island is hugely enjoyable horror comedy fare for the discerning old time viewer. 6.5/10
Thought to be the cheapest made of all the Universal Pictures releases in the 1940s, Horror Island is in no way a great movie. However, if viewed on its own fun comedy chiller terms it delivers for those of the Dark House mystery persuasion. Plot sees a group of dissimilar human beings gathered on the titular island of the title under the guise of searching for hidden treasure in a haunted mansion. Quelle surprise as things actually do start to go bump in the night and the group start being picked off one by one. Very much in the flavour of Ten Little Indians, but with Universal's trademark sets and atmosphere building (Bredell always impressive whatever the budget), Horror Island (ignore the foreboding sounding title) is a whole bunch of fun. Some of the plot doesn't add up, but that adds to the mystery; which why we are on the subject, the mystery reveal of the villain is a pleasant surprise. While the cast have fun and play it accordingly, particularly the delightful Adrian and Foran with his little knowing looks throughout.
Full of creaky doors, moving floors and all that sort of ghost house stuff, Horror Island is hugely enjoyable horror comedy fare for the discerning old time viewer. 6.5/10
Fun Time-Killer
utgard1413 February 2014
Old dark house comedy thriller from Universal with a nice cast of eclectic characters. Dick Foran plays a financially-strapped boat captain who comes up with a phony treasure hunt scam. He takes a group of suckers out to Morgan's Island to hunt for Sir Henry Morgan's treasure. They stay in an old castle and that night strange things start to happen. The group finds itself menaced by a mysterious man in a cape. In addition to Foran, there's Fuzzy Knight, Leo Carrillo, John Eldredge, Hobart Cavanaugh, and other faces familiar to classic film fans. Peggy Moran reunites with her Mummy's Hand love interest, Dick Foran. It's diverting, escapist fun. Quick little B movie that is a pleasant way to pass the time.
Funny Film
Rainey-Dawn9 February 2016
The film starts out a little slow but once they get to the island (about 30 minutes into the film) the movie gets good - funny. There are some suspenseful moments, a neat mystery to solve and plenty of comedy to kept it interesting.
Panama Pete (The Phantom)is played by Foy Van Dolsen but I could easily see John Carradine in this role for some reason. But The Phantom is not the only reason to watch this one - the rest of the cast/characters are likable in a neat plot - so this movie is worth watching if you like a pretty good comedy-mystery story.
I would not say this is Universal's best film of the time era but it certainly is a joyful watch.
6.5/10
Panama Pete (The Phantom)is played by Foy Van Dolsen but I could easily see John Carradine in this role for some reason. But The Phantom is not the only reason to watch this one - the rest of the cast/characters are likable in a neat plot - so this movie is worth watching if you like a pretty good comedy-mystery story.
I would not say this is Universal's best film of the time era but it certainly is a joyful watch.
6.5/10
Extremely silly, thoroughly entertaining comedy thriller
mlraymond24 June 2007
Warning: Spoilers
This is an uneven film that can't quite choose between being a mystery thriller and an outright comedy. It has wonderfully atmospheric sets, including the dark, wet wharf at night, the old castle, even the dingy stores and offices along the waterfront where genial con man hero Dick Foran and mild mannered professor Hobart Cavanaugh have their places of business. Lewis Howard is quite funny as the rich playboy who always seems to be either asleep or bored, Foy Van Dolsen is effective as the mysterious Phantom, and the team of Dick Foran and Fuzzy Knight works well. Walter Catlett is amusing as an eccentric detective in a sort of reprise of his confused police constable role in Hawks' Bringing Up Baby. The rest of the supporting cast turn in good performances, the standard Universal theme music is used effectively, and the movie contains enough surprises to be quite entertaining. The basic storyline, combining the matching interests of a hunt for pirate treasure, along with an old dark house mystery, holds viewer interest for the brief running time and provides some good old fashioned movie fun.
HORROR ISLAND (George Waggner, 1941) **1/2
Bunuel19768 March 2007
I had first known about this through a still in the Halliwell Film Guide, though the noted late critic usually dismissed similar programmers: it turned out to be a fun horror comedy (from a story by Curt Siodmak) whose 60-minute length zips by providing plenty of characters (even if the gangster-on-the-lam and his moll don't really work here), action, old-fashioned thrills (a caped maniac after hidden loot is loose in a remote castle), chuckles and a surprise villain; the film is a shade overbalanced by the comedy, but the typical Universal atmosphere (and a few of its more notable sets!) are certainly present throughout. It also features a good second-tier cast: likable Dick Foran and cute Peggy Moran re-united after the superior THE MUMMY'S HAND (1940) are the leads and they're ably supported by the likes of Leo Carrillo, Fuzzy Knight, Hobart Cavanaugh and Walter Catlett; however, it's Lewis Howard who steals the film as Moran's chronically tired companion even though he's absent through most of the second half!
Michael Elliott had rated this a *** and I almost did myself but, in the long run, I don't think the film has quite the same draw as even some of the lesser titles in the Universal monster cycle; still, for an 'old dark house' type of film of which the studio did their fair share it's well up to par. Incidentally, I had acquired another copy of this on DVD-R last year, but the disc froze several times during playback and I had to give up after a while; I'm glad I caught up with it eventually, as the film deserves to have a legitimate DVD release along with some of the other rare/lesser-known Universal horrors, like MAN-MADE MONSTER (1941) which I've never watched! and NIGHT MONSTER (1942).
Michael Elliott had rated this a *** and I almost did myself but, in the long run, I don't think the film has quite the same draw as even some of the lesser titles in the Universal monster cycle; still, for an 'old dark house' type of film of which the studio did their fair share it's well up to par. Incidentally, I had acquired another copy of this on DVD-R last year, but the disc froze several times during playback and I had to give up after a while; I'm glad I caught up with it eventually, as the film deserves to have a legitimate DVD release along with some of the other rare/lesser-known Universal horrors, like MAN-MADE MONSTER (1941) which I've never watched! and NIGHT MONSTER (1942).
Leave The Castle!
AaronCapenBanner24 October 2013
Dick Foran plays Bill Martin, an unemployed man who lives on the waterfront who inherits an old castle on a remote island. He gets the idea of charging boat rides to the island for a ghost & treasure hunt excursion, helped by his best friend Stuff Oliver(played by Fuzzy Knight) Peggy Moran plays heiress(and love interest) Wendy Creighton who goes to the island along with several others, where they encounter a caped and mysterious figure known as "The Phantom", who has half of a pirate treasure map, while Bill's associate The Captain has the other. Who will find it first, and survive the night, since someone is also a killer? Fun movie is oddly little-known, but amusing to think how this may have influenced "Scooby Doo, Where Are You?" since plot elements and characters are identical! A rushed production though, since this has a big goof: about 26 minutes in, as the group enters the library, a stage hand with portable spotlights can be clearly seen backing out of the scene!
Fun Mystery
Michael_Elliott27 February 2008
Horror Island (1941)
*** (out of 4)
Shockingly effective "B" thriller from Universal perfectly blends the mystery, horror and comedy genres. A con man (Dick Foran) takes a group of people to an island for a treasure hunt but soon a crazed madman starts killing them one by one. I was really shocked at how much I enjoyed this film considering how many of these types of films I've seen. The movie runs at lightening speed, which isn't the norm and all the jokes work wonderfully well. Foran makes for a good and charming leading man and the supporting cast does fine work as well. Unlike others in its genre, I didn't catch onto who the killer was either.
*** (out of 4)
Shockingly effective "B" thriller from Universal perfectly blends the mystery, horror and comedy genres. A con man (Dick Foran) takes a group of people to an island for a treasure hunt but soon a crazed madman starts killing them one by one. I was really shocked at how much I enjoyed this film considering how many of these types of films I've seen. The movie runs at lightening speed, which isn't the norm and all the jokes work wonderfully well. Foran makes for a good and charming leading man and the supporting cast does fine work as well. Unlike others in its genre, I didn't catch onto who the killer was either.
Silly programmer comes to life after sagging first half.
mark.waltz21 March 2013
Warning: Spoilers
This actually seems more like an episode of "Scooby Doo" than a movie made long before that animated series took Saturday children's programming to a new level. The opening shot (a peg-legged man walking along the docks) gives the impression that this is going to be a throw-back to the Gothic horror films of the early 30's but for the first half, all you get is the set-up with some comic relief long before the group of actors here get to the actual island home, abandoned they say for centuries and now filled with pigeons whom the guests initially assume are bats.
Walter Catlett and Leo Carrillo provide the bulk of comedy relief, with Dick Foran and Peggy Moran the typical romantic interests, the young lady of course involved in some antics straight out of the original "Cat and the Canary". Universal always managed to hide the low budgets of these programmers with some fast-moving photography and sets that, even if recycled, make the movie appear better than it actually is.
Walter Catlett and Leo Carrillo provide the bulk of comedy relief, with Dick Foran and Peggy Moran the typical romantic interests, the young lady of course involved in some antics straight out of the original "Cat and the Canary". Universal always managed to hide the low budgets of these programmers with some fast-moving photography and sets that, even if recycled, make the movie appear better than it actually is.
Amusing horror quickie
The_Void28 July 2009
Horror Island was obviously made on a shoestring budget to accompany some bigger Universal film. I wasn't surprised it took only twelve days to shoot. In spite of this, however, Horror Island is an entertaining little flick that never really has time to get boring. The first half of the film is the best; and this is mostly thanks to Dick Foran. He plays a 'wheeling and dealing' businessman who has a lot of creditors on his back. This leads him to begin offering trips to a haunted island where his punters can look for buried treasure. After getting together a party of people through various means, they set off to the island...and the film goes downhill from there. There's some subplot about a mysterious phantom wanting the treasure for himself; but it seems like the writer didn't really know what to do once we get to the main bulk of the film and a lot of the early momentum is lost. Still, the film is always at least amusing and at only sixty minutes, there's not enough time for it to outstay its welcome. The whole thing is rather jokey and silly and I'm not surprised it hasn't endured as one of Universal's classics. Still, it's worth a look if you have an hour to spare.
Fake Horror
jery-tillotson-127 March 2020
I wonder how audiences in 1941 reacted to "Horror Island" when they discovered there was nothing 'horror" about it. I think I would asked for refund.
A familiar crew of contract players do what they can with a lousy script and a very cheap production, which cost around $190,000 and were probably glad to depart for other projects when the last 'okay for print' was called out.
The story involves something about a boat full of guests who go to this island and someone tries to scare them away. The chills are zero and the dialogue bogs everything down as they try to figure out whose killing off who.
This was a great title that suggested much more than it delivered. This is a great example of Universal rushing this production through to get it into the theaters as the bottom of a double bill. Sadly, it's one Universal "shocker" that should have been relegated to the trash bins.
Good film, but uneven pacing.
Norm-3014 February 2000
This film has a LOT of potential: a haunted castle with a cloaked "phantom" running about, secret panels, hidden treasure, etc.
The only problem is that the crew seems to take FOREVER to get to the island, and once there, the "scarey business" happens much too fast. It would've been much better if they had added about 20 mins. to this film, that would've allowed them to slowly build up each "scare". As it is, things happens so fast, that you don't have time to "savor" them.
A good film, none-the-less.
The only problem is that the crew seems to take FOREVER to get to the island, and once there, the "scarey business" happens much too fast. It would've been much better if they had added about 20 mins. to this film, that would've allowed them to slowly build up each "scare". As it is, things happens so fast, that you don't have time to "savor" them.
A good film, none-the-less.
A variation on the old dark house genre.
planktonrules3 April 2018
Bill Martin (Dick Foran) is a man who is one step ahead of his creditors when he inherits something odd--a castle on a lonely island in the Caribbean. He decides to use this to his advantage and offers to take people on a treasure hunting expedition there...if they can afford the fare on his boat. However, once there it becomes obvious that there's already a treasure hunter there...and they seem willing to kill the boat load of people if necessary. As for the visitors, they are a motley crew...with everyone from a wanted man to a cousin wanting to buy the mansion to another crook! What's to come of all this?
This is a slick little B-mystery film from Universal...and the studio was excellent at making these wonderful atmospheric cheap pictures. While never brilliant in any way, it is reasonably well made and entertaining.
By the way, Foran's sidekick in the film is Fuzzy Knight...and fortunately Knight does NOT use his stuttering schtick at all in the movie...thank goodness!
This is a slick little B-mystery film from Universal...and the studio was excellent at making these wonderful atmospheric cheap pictures. While never brilliant in any way, it is reasonably well made and entertaining.
By the way, Foran's sidekick in the film is Fuzzy Knight...and fortunately Knight does NOT use his stuttering schtick at all in the movie...thank goodness!
Horror Island (1941) *1/2
JoeKarlosi5 October 2007
Dick Foran and Peggy Moran, who were so good together in THE MUMMY'S HAND, return for this very minor Universal Horror offering. But this time, instead of having Wallace Ford as the comedic sidekick "Babe," we get Fuzzy Knight substituting as a silly buddy named "Stuff". But the results are nowhere near as charming, and the scare level is virtually nil. Dick is a businessman who gets the idea of spearheading a treasure hunt on a remote island inside a spooky old castle. Peggy is one of the gang who comes along for the ride. But there is a tall and skinny John Carradine lookalike in a black cape and big hat known as "The Phantom" who crashes the party in pursuit of the buried fortune himself. This "phantom" is not very mysterious, and no effort is made to even try and keep his rather average guy face in the shadows to create any tension or spookiness. It's always nice to see perky Moran, but otherwise you can chalk this up as one of Universal's instantly forgettable misfires. *1/2 out of ****
Rush Job and It Shows
dougdoepke28 July 2010
Fast-talking promoter takes motley group of people to haunted island in search of hidden treasure.
Shot, edited, and released, all in 25 days, and frankly it shows. Must be some kind of record, even for a B-movie quickie. In my book, it's the screenplay that suffers most. Looks like they took 90 minutes of material and crammed it into 60 minutes of film. If you can make sense of the castle goings-on, there should be a place for you in the space program. Also looks like the writers took every dark-house gimmick and shoe-horned it in somewhere, anywhere. Note how many puzzles (crossbow killing of the phantom; George's killing) are given abruptly awkward and hurried explanations. Apparently, there was no time for anything else. All of which would be okay if the scary parts were really scary or the funny parts, funny. But unfortunately they're not.
What the movie does have are expensive leftover sets, Woody Bredell's first-rate photography, and two really likable leads (Moran and Foran). Foran makes an engaging fast- talking promoter, while Susan Hayward look-alike Moran is both cute and lively. There were a number of these haunted mansion films during this period. My favorite is Bob Hope's Cat and Canary (1939), which really shows how the premise should be done. Too bad that Universal didn't give the production more time to develop, especially to better organize the screenplay.
Shot, edited, and released, all in 25 days, and frankly it shows. Must be some kind of record, even for a B-movie quickie. In my book, it's the screenplay that suffers most. Looks like they took 90 minutes of material and crammed it into 60 minutes of film. If you can make sense of the castle goings-on, there should be a place for you in the space program. Also looks like the writers took every dark-house gimmick and shoe-horned it in somewhere, anywhere. Note how many puzzles (crossbow killing of the phantom; George's killing) are given abruptly awkward and hurried explanations. Apparently, there was no time for anything else. All of which would be okay if the scary parts were really scary or the funny parts, funny. But unfortunately they're not.
What the movie does have are expensive leftover sets, Woody Bredell's first-rate photography, and two really likable leads (Moran and Foran). Foran makes an engaging fast- talking promoter, while Susan Hayward look-alike Moran is both cute and lively. There were a number of these haunted mansion films during this period. My favorite is Bob Hope's Cat and Canary (1939), which really shows how the premise should be done. Too bad that Universal didn't give the production more time to develop, especially to better organize the screenplay.
"Where was I gonna get bats? Besides, them pigeons ain't worked in months."
Hey_Sweden16 May 2021
Dick Foran is supremely engaging as Bill Martin, a deep-in-debt businessman who finally hits upon what he thinks is a winning idea. Presented with half of a treasure map by a character named Tobias (a hearty Leo Carrillo), Bill and his sidekick Stuff (Fuzzy Knight) decide to make some of Bills' property - an island and castle - work for him, by staging "treasure hunts" for interested customers. Their first trip proves to be an eventful one, as one of their number is clearly VERY interested in claiming this supposed treasure for themselves.
No, of course this is not by any means great cinema, but it is what it is: perfectly agreeable comedy-horror (with an accent on the comedy), and a mildly atmospheric, playful jab at the entire "old dark house" genre. Universal probably didn't spend a lot on this, and probably knocked it out pretty quickly, but it shows the audience a pretty good time. This castle in Bills' possession includes the standard secret rooms and trapdoors, and running around is a mysterious "Phantom" (Foy Van Dolsen, a character actor who somewhat resembles John Carradine) who is always trying to scare people away.
The movie has a fairly amusing script (by Maurice Tombragel and Victor McLeod), with some good lines, capable direction by George Waggner (whose finest horror film, "The Wolf Man", was released the same year), and a snappy pace. But the biggest benefit that "Horror Island" can boast is a solid cast playing this rogues' gallery of characters: Peggy Moran as a luminous leading lady, John Eldredge as Bills' greedy cousin George, Hobart Cavanaugh as a meek, sleepwalking professor, Walter Catlett as an officious detective, Ralf Harolde as a bank robber using the boat trip as a getaway, and a memorably sassy Iris Adrian as his moll. The real scene stealer is Lewis Howard as Morans' eternally grumpy, bored companion who gets to utter lines like "Hello, Yorick. Get out of my bed." upon finding a skull.
"Horror Island" packs a reasonable amount of entertainment into its painless 61 minute run time. It really is over before you know it.
Seven out of 10.
No, of course this is not by any means great cinema, but it is what it is: perfectly agreeable comedy-horror (with an accent on the comedy), and a mildly atmospheric, playful jab at the entire "old dark house" genre. Universal probably didn't spend a lot on this, and probably knocked it out pretty quickly, but it shows the audience a pretty good time. This castle in Bills' possession includes the standard secret rooms and trapdoors, and running around is a mysterious "Phantom" (Foy Van Dolsen, a character actor who somewhat resembles John Carradine) who is always trying to scare people away.
The movie has a fairly amusing script (by Maurice Tombragel and Victor McLeod), with some good lines, capable direction by George Waggner (whose finest horror film, "The Wolf Man", was released the same year), and a snappy pace. But the biggest benefit that "Horror Island" can boast is a solid cast playing this rogues' gallery of characters: Peggy Moran as a luminous leading lady, John Eldredge as Bills' greedy cousin George, Hobart Cavanaugh as a meek, sleepwalking professor, Walter Catlett as an officious detective, Ralf Harolde as a bank robber using the boat trip as a getaway, and a memorably sassy Iris Adrian as his moll. The real scene stealer is Lewis Howard as Morans' eternally grumpy, bored companion who gets to utter lines like "Hello, Yorick. Get out of my bed." upon finding a skull.
"Horror Island" packs a reasonable amount of entertainment into its painless 61 minute run time. It really is over before you know it.
Seven out of 10.
First seen on Pittsburgh's Chiller Theater in 1966
kevinolzak18 January 2014
1941's "Horror Island," double-billed with Lon Chaney's "Man Made Monster," was a quota quickie from Universal, shot and directed at breakneck speed by George Waggner, who graduated to "The Wolf Man" by the end of the year. A search for buried treasure at a remote island castle, which gives it a slightly different flavor than "The Cat and the Canary," punctuated by three murders adding to the fun. Reunited after "The Mummy's Hand" are likable Dick Foran and perky Peggy Moran, as vivacious and beautiful as one could expect (not unlike Paulette Goddard). Comic relief capably handled by old hands at the game Leo Carrillo and Fuzzy Knight, Ralf Harolde and Iris Adrian also cast to type as a gangster on the lam and his flirtatious wife. John Eldredge was becoming a fixture at Universal that year- "The Black Cat," "The Mad Doctor of Market Street," and Hitchcock's "Saboteur." Included in the popular SHOCK! television package from the late 50s, "Horror Island" made five appearances on Pittsburgh's Chiller Theater.
An eclectic group of treasure hunters
bkoganbing12 November 2018
Dick Foran is the hero in Horror Island, but i Horror island is not along the lines of Universal's
usual monster films. Foran's a rather different kind of action/adventure hero in
this film. He's a Princeton graduate who's unemployed. Not unusual for those
Depressions years but digging ditches for the WPA ain't for him.
Instead he lives on a houseboat with Fuzzy Knight and is cooking up schemes to get rich quick. What he does own is an island with a castle on it reputed to be built by that notorious buccaneer Sir Henry Morgan. And where there are pirates there should be treasure.
So Foran accumulates an interesting group of treasure hunters and takes them on his S.S. Minow like boat for a three hour tour. Such people as John Eldredge, Peggy Moran, Hobart Cavanaugh, Iris Adrian, Walter Catlett and most of all Leo Carrillo a pegleg sailor with half a map hidden in his hollow carved prosthesis.
A few people get dead before we find out who's doing the killing. It starts to look a lot like And Then There Were None.
Horror Island is a bit uneven but fun in its way. A great example of how Universal used those great gothic sets over and over again.
Instead he lives on a houseboat with Fuzzy Knight and is cooking up schemes to get rich quick. What he does own is an island with a castle on it reputed to be built by that notorious buccaneer Sir Henry Morgan. And where there are pirates there should be treasure.
So Foran accumulates an interesting group of treasure hunters and takes them on his S.S. Minow like boat for a three hour tour. Such people as John Eldredge, Peggy Moran, Hobart Cavanaugh, Iris Adrian, Walter Catlett and most of all Leo Carrillo a pegleg sailor with half a map hidden in his hollow carved prosthesis.
A few people get dead before we find out who's doing the killing. It starts to look a lot like And Then There Were None.
Horror Island is a bit uneven but fun in its way. A great example of how Universal used those great gothic sets over and over again.
"Can somebody tell me why lobsters don't like beer?"
bensonmum224 December 2020
Despite being made by Universal in 1941 and carrying a name like Horror Island, this isn't the horror film most would expect. Instead, Horror Island is a fun little comedy / mystery with just a few creepy moments thrown in. The plot goes something like this: A down on his luck boat captain, Bill Martin (Dick Foran), is approached by a one-legged man with a map and a story of hidden treasure on an island Martin owns. Martin sees this story as an opportunity to make some money. He sets up a $50 overnight pirate treasure hunt to his island. Soon he's got a boatload of paying guests. But there's another visitor to the island. One Martin knows nothing about. He's also after the treasure, however, he's willing to kill for it.
Setting aside the questionable historical accuracy of a 400 year-old gothic castle off the U.S. coast, Horror Island is one fun, entertaining film. The script is filled with a lot of things that appeal to me in this kind of movie - an old dark castle, secret passages, hidden treasure, and a dungeon. There are plenty of unusual, creepy spaces and locations for the characters to explore and discover (and get trapped in). Horror Island may have been a "B" picture, but you wouldn't know it from looking at it. Universal made sure these films looked as good as their "A' releases. Sets, lighting, and props are first rate. The direction is good. Director George Waggner fit a lot into a rather short 60 minute runtime. As for the acting, the four main players acquit themselves well. Dick Foran is more than capable of carrying the film on his shoulders. Peggy Moran (Moran and Foran also worked together on Universal's The Mummy's Hand) is a delight as the love interest. Fuzzy Knight had the hardest job - the comic relief. I appreciate how funny he was without going overboard. Finally, I especially enjoyed Leo Carrillo. His peg-legged sailor is just a fun character that brings a lot to the film. He had sort of a Karloff vibe to him that worked nicely. Overall, Horror Island is a worthwhile watch if you're not overly demanding.
6/10
Setting aside the questionable historical accuracy of a 400 year-old gothic castle off the U.S. coast, Horror Island is one fun, entertaining film. The script is filled with a lot of things that appeal to me in this kind of movie - an old dark castle, secret passages, hidden treasure, and a dungeon. There are plenty of unusual, creepy spaces and locations for the characters to explore and discover (and get trapped in). Horror Island may have been a "B" picture, but you wouldn't know it from looking at it. Universal made sure these films looked as good as their "A' releases. Sets, lighting, and props are first rate. The direction is good. Director George Waggner fit a lot into a rather short 60 minute runtime. As for the acting, the four main players acquit themselves well. Dick Foran is more than capable of carrying the film on his shoulders. Peggy Moran (Moran and Foran also worked together on Universal's The Mummy's Hand) is a delight as the love interest. Fuzzy Knight had the hardest job - the comic relief. I appreciate how funny he was without going overboard. Finally, I especially enjoyed Leo Carrillo. His peg-legged sailor is just a fun character that brings a lot to the film. He had sort of a Karloff vibe to him that worked nicely. Overall, Horror Island is a worthwhile watch if you're not overly demanding.
6/10
Quick but silly and stupid
preppy-310 August 2010
Con man Bill (Dick Foran) takes a bunch of people out to an island with a "haunted" castle and a supposed buried treasure. When they get there it seems there's a phantom lurking about who wants them out of the castle and isn't above murder to get rid of them.
The film has great atmosphere and sets (left over from other Universal horror films) and has Peggy Moran giving a good performance--but otherwise this is WAY too quick (half the explanations at the end make little sense) and doesn't have one even remotely scary scene in it. The picture was rushed--and it shows. Characters appear and disappear at random and the script just doesn't make much sense. There are more plot holes in this than anything else. Even Dick Foran (usually a good actor) appears lifeless here. But, if you're in the mood for a very tame and mild horror film this might work. Perfect viewing for kids. I give it a 4.
The film has great atmosphere and sets (left over from other Universal horror films) and has Peggy Moran giving a good performance--but otherwise this is WAY too quick (half the explanations at the end make little sense) and doesn't have one even remotely scary scene in it. The picture was rushed--and it shows. Characters appear and disappear at random and the script just doesn't make much sense. There are more plot holes in this than anything else. Even Dick Foran (usually a good actor) appears lifeless here. But, if you're in the mood for a very tame and mild horror film this might work. Perfect viewing for kids. I give it a 4.
"You'll enjoy it I'm sure. Just think of it: Ghosts! . . . Riches! . . . Thrills! . . . A haunted castle . . ."
boscofl24 September 2021
Horror Island is a neat little programmer designed as mindless entertainment. On that level it scores triumphantly; to assess it with a more critical eye is unnecessary. Director George Waggner keeps the story moving with the help of a likable cast, familiar sets, and a bit of atmosphere to distract from the inanities of the story. This is a perfect example of a kiddie matinee crowd pleaser.
The plot is way more convulted than it needs to be and to delve into the minutiae of the narrative will leave plenty of questions and gaps in logic. Enterprising hustler Bill Martin (Dick Foran) concocts a treasure hunt tour of a property he owns called Morgan's Island; this landmass comes complete with a spooky castle wherein Sir Henry Morgan may or may not have hidden $20 million in looted treasure. Salty, peg-legged sea dog Tobias (Leo Carrillo) is an acquaintance who owns half a map that he insists points out the location of the booty while a mysterious man dubbed "The Phantom" possesses the other half. Martin assembles his guests for a weekend excursion to the island unaware that The Phantom is already there and determined to eliminate all who might be interested in the loot.
Despite the spooky trappings of the decrepit old castle and a rogues gallery of suspicious-looking characters the film functions more as a romp than a serious melodrama. There is plenty of lighthearted banter amongst the cobwebs to mix with several murders and other attempted mayhem. Director Waggner pulls every haunted house gag out of the sack including fogbound exteriors, sliding panels, secret passageways, homicidal suits of armor, and The Phantom scurrying around with his cape billowing behind him. As The Phantom Foy Van Dolsen is photographed evocatively lurking in the darkness, casting creepy shadows on the wall, leering around corners, and creating all kinds of mischief. Fans of the genre will recognize the castle interior from many Universal chillers such as Ghost of Frankenstein and Night Monster in addition to many of the props decorating the sets.
Dick Foran is reunited with his Mummy's Hand costar Peggy Moran to form the romantic couple; once again they demonstrate wonderful chemistry and are an engaging duo. As Foran's two pals, Leo Carrillo and Fuzzy Knight tend to become irritating with their dated shenanigans particularly Carrillo fracturing the English language with his wincing dialect. Standing out from the ensemble is Iris Adrian as the gangster's moll Arlene; she is a hoot rattling off street slang like she's in a Warner Brothers crime flick. Meanwhile Van Dolsen is atmospherically photographed in ways that emphasize his striking face, long fingers, and angular stature.
If one is in the mood for breezy, lighthearted entertainment with that old Saturday matinee feel Horror Island will fit the bill. By no means a masterpiece - critiqued by the same standards as one would apply to Frankenstein this film could be torn to shreds - it is very agreeable and will likely bring a smile to one's face. As for myself it left me longing for more Dick Foran - Peggy Moran team-ups.
The plot is way more convulted than it needs to be and to delve into the minutiae of the narrative will leave plenty of questions and gaps in logic. Enterprising hustler Bill Martin (Dick Foran) concocts a treasure hunt tour of a property he owns called Morgan's Island; this landmass comes complete with a spooky castle wherein Sir Henry Morgan may or may not have hidden $20 million in looted treasure. Salty, peg-legged sea dog Tobias (Leo Carrillo) is an acquaintance who owns half a map that he insists points out the location of the booty while a mysterious man dubbed "The Phantom" possesses the other half. Martin assembles his guests for a weekend excursion to the island unaware that The Phantom is already there and determined to eliminate all who might be interested in the loot.
Despite the spooky trappings of the decrepit old castle and a rogues gallery of suspicious-looking characters the film functions more as a romp than a serious melodrama. There is plenty of lighthearted banter amongst the cobwebs to mix with several murders and other attempted mayhem. Director Waggner pulls every haunted house gag out of the sack including fogbound exteriors, sliding panels, secret passageways, homicidal suits of armor, and The Phantom scurrying around with his cape billowing behind him. As The Phantom Foy Van Dolsen is photographed evocatively lurking in the darkness, casting creepy shadows on the wall, leering around corners, and creating all kinds of mischief. Fans of the genre will recognize the castle interior from many Universal chillers such as Ghost of Frankenstein and Night Monster in addition to many of the props decorating the sets.
Dick Foran is reunited with his Mummy's Hand costar Peggy Moran to form the romantic couple; once again they demonstrate wonderful chemistry and are an engaging duo. As Foran's two pals, Leo Carrillo and Fuzzy Knight tend to become irritating with their dated shenanigans particularly Carrillo fracturing the English language with his wincing dialect. Standing out from the ensemble is Iris Adrian as the gangster's moll Arlene; she is a hoot rattling off street slang like she's in a Warner Brothers crime flick. Meanwhile Van Dolsen is atmospherically photographed in ways that emphasize his striking face, long fingers, and angular stature.
If one is in the mood for breezy, lighthearted entertainment with that old Saturday matinee feel Horror Island will fit the bill. By no means a masterpiece - critiqued by the same standards as one would apply to Frankenstein this film could be torn to shreds - it is very agreeable and will likely bring a smile to one's face. As for myself it left me longing for more Dick Foran - Peggy Moran team-ups.
Dreadful and cringeworthy.
alexanderdavies-9938220 May 2017
I have no idea why "Universal" commissioned this trash - it has nothing worth while about it at all.
Dick Foran - a capable leading man - should have been given a worthier film than this!
He is THE only reason to bother with a yawn fest like "Horror Island" - I don't recognise anyone else which is just as well.
Dick Foran - a capable leading man - should have been given a worthier film than this!
He is THE only reason to bother with a yawn fest like "Horror Island" - I don't recognise anyone else which is just as well.
Entertainingly silly comedic mystery thriller
Woodyanders29 September 2009
Warning: Spoilers
A motley assortment of people go to Sir Henry Morgan's island for a treasure hunt. The group runs afoul of a creepy killer known as "The Phantom." Director George Waggner, working from an eventful and surprisingly witty script by Victor McLeod, relates the blithely dippy story at a constant snappy pace and maintains a breezy lighthearted tone throughout. Moreover, the cast have a ball with their colorful roles: Dick Doran as amiable down-on-his luck boat captain Bill Martin and Fuzzy Knight as Martin's oafish stuttering partner Stuff Oliver make for engaging leads, the pretty Peggy Moran brings a sweetly spunky charm to her role as the sassy Wendy Creighton, Leo Carrillo is a hale'n'hearty delight as jolly peg-legged skipper Tobias Clump, plus there are nice turns by John Eldridge as the shifty Cousin George, Lewis Howard as dour sourpuss Thurman Coldwater, Hobart Cavanaugh as the timid Professor Jasper Quinley, Walter Catlett as the pesky Sergeant McGoon, and Iris Adrian as brassy moll Arleen Grady. With his gaunt face, deep gravel voice, lean build, and flowing black cape, Foy Van Dolsen makes for a nifty villain as the Phantom. Elwood Bredell's crisp black and white cinematography makes inspired use of light and shadow. The lively film library score likewise does the trick. The revelation of the real bad guy's identity is a genuine surprise. Moreover, there's a good-natured sensibility evident throughout which makes this admittedly slight hour long quickie a lot of fun to watch. A pleasingly inane and immaterial diversion.
Despite the title, this is not a horror flick
scsu197521 November 2022
This is an entertaining quickie comedy-mystery from Universal. Dick Foran, along with sidekick Fuzzy Knight, get mixed up with peg-legged Leo Carrillo, who claims to have a treasure map from Henry Morgan (the pirate, not the television personality). When an "expert" (Hobart Cavanagh) tells them the map is phony, Foran, who owns a boat, demonstrates his entrepreneurial skills by charging passengers $50 for the chance to find the treasure anyway. Once the assorted suckers arrive at the island where the treasure is supposed to be hidden, somebody starts bumping them off. Who did/done it?
Foran is likable as the lead, and Peggy Moran is cute as the romantic interest. The supporting cast is stocked with familiar faces, and the score is loaded with H. J. Salter's familiar themes. My favorite character was Thurman Coldwater, played by Lewis Howard, looking like a cross between Robert Donat and Laurence Olivier.
Foran is likable as the lead, and Peggy Moran is cute as the romantic interest. The supporting cast is stocked with familiar faces, and the score is loaded with H. J. Salter's familiar themes. My favorite character was Thurman Coldwater, played by Lewis Howard, looking like a cross between Robert Donat and Laurence Olivier.
Leave the castle, leave the castle
coltras357 June 2021
A down-on-his luck businessman organizes an excursion to Sir Henry Morgan's Island for a treasure hunt only to encounter a mysterious phantom and murder.
Another universal studio mystery that is a mix of treasure island and the old dark house scenario, and it's fairly passable. Just a harmless lighthearted mystery with some humour. I like some of the wisecracks (Panama Pete says "There is treasure here. I can feel it in my bones." Thurman replies: "That is your rheumatism." The character known as Thurman is hilarious- he's totally disinterested and not excited by the prospect of seeking treasure.
Another universal studio mystery that is a mix of treasure island and the old dark house scenario, and it's fairly passable. Just a harmless lighthearted mystery with some humour. I like some of the wisecracks (Panama Pete says "There is treasure here. I can feel it in my bones." Thurman replies: "That is your rheumatism." The character known as Thurman is hilarious- he's totally disinterested and not excited by the prospect of seeking treasure.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
