| Hell Ship Mutiny | |
| Cinematography: | Sam Leavitt |
| Editing: | Elmo Williams |
| Studio: | Lovina Productions |
| Distributor: | Republic Pictures |
| Runtime: | 66 minutes |
| Country: | United States |
| Language: | English |
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.[1] It is a compilation of a 1955 unsold television pilot Knight of the South Seas.[2] [3] Hall's father Felix Locher plays the role of a native chief.[4]
This film is now in the public domain.
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.
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.[5] In December Hedda Hopper reported that Hall had already shot footage in the south seas and signed his first co-star, John Carradine.[6]
Filming started 15 December 1955 at Fox Western Avenue studios.[7] Two episodes were filmed.
In May 1956 Hall announced the series would premiere in Tahiti, where Hall grew up.[8]
The pilot was not picked up so Hall combined the episodes for a feature film.[9]
The Monthly Film Bulletin said "apart from the fights and good underwater shots this juvenile adventure film sadly lacks vitality."[10]