Cheapskate Republic studios made this film which has an unusually large budget for them. Shot in color and with at times lavish sets the film is almost a blueprint for the kind of escapist entertainment Hollywood could turn out in their prime.
The story involves heroic sea captain Fred MacMurry (!) in charge of a ship searching for the proverbial fortune in diamonds. Along the way he picks up dancer named Kim Kim played by Vera Ralston. Ralston was an actor who just happened to be married to the head or Republic studios Herbert Yates and was generally derided for her lack of talent. Also in the cast are Victor McLaglen, Paul Fix and Claude Jarman Jr amongst others.
The film has enough action for about 3 films. Fred and his crew have to fight off pirates, deal with a mutiny and to wind it all up keep from getting blown up by the legendary volcano Krakatoa. Definitely never a dull moment.
Probably the standout feature of this film is the special effects work by Howard and Theodore Lydecker, two brothers who pioneered the use of models and miniatures in Hollywood films. In fact the Lydecker brother's techniques were still being used in Steven Spielberg's 1941.
The film is extremely entertaining and they certainly don't make them like this anymore.
Screenplay by Richard Tregaskis, the running time is 92 minutes.
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