S.O.S. Clipper Island (1936)
"Robinson Crusoe of Clipper Island" (original title)

A 14-episode serial in which Mala, a Polynesian in the employ of U.S. Intelligence investigates sabotage on Clipper Island. A gang of spies causes the eruption of a volcano, for which our ... See full summary »

Directors:

Ray Taylor, Mack V. Wright

Writers:

Morgan Cox (screenplay), Barry Shipman (screenplay),

Stars:

Mala, Rex, Buck the Dog

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mala	...	Agent Ray Mala
Rex	...	Rex, the Wonder Horse (as Rex the Wonder Horse)
Buck the Dog	...	Buck
Mamo Clark	...	Princess Melani
Herbert Rawlinson	...	Grant Jackson
William Newell	...	Hank McGlaurie
John Ward	...	Anthony Tupper
John Dilson	...	E.G. Ellsworth
Selmer Jackson	...	Mr. Canfield
John Picorri	...	Porotu (as John Piccori)
George Chesebro	...	Draker, Island Operations Chief
Bob Kortman	...	Gang Yacht Capt. Wilson (as Robert Kortman)
George Cleveland	...	Goebel, Gang Scientist
Lloyd Whitlock	...	Lamar, Headquarters Gang Member [Chs. 1-6]
Tiny Roebuck	...	Eppa the Wrestler

Storyline

A 14-episode serial in which Mala, a Polynesian in the employ of U.S. Intelligence investigates sabotage on Clipper Island. A gang of spies causes the eruption of a volcano, for which our hero is blamed. He convinces the local Princess Melani of his innocence and helps her ward off a takeover by rival high priest Porotu.

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Plot Keywords:

priest | gang | spy | high priest | princess | 

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Taglines:

SURROUNDED BY DEVIL-SHARKS...HEMMED IN BY A BAND OF KILLERS ON AN ISLAND OF FEAR...WHO DARES DEFY THE GODS OF THE JUNGLE TO WIPE OUT THE NEW RADIO MENACE! (original ad - all caps)

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Genres:

Adventure | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 November 1936 (USA)

Also Known As:

Robinson Crusoe

Filming Locations:

Bronson Canyon, Griffith Park - 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Republic Pictures (I)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

256 min 256 min (14 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Chapter Titles: 1. The Mysterious Island 2. Flaming Danger 3. Fathoms Below 4. Into the Enemies Camp 5. Danger in the Air 6. The God of the Volcano 7. Trail's End 8. The Jaws of the Beast 9. The Cave of the Winds 10. Wings of Fury 11. Agents of Disaster 12. The Sea Trap 13. Mutiny 14. Thunder Mountain

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Connections

Edited into Robinson Crusoe of Mystery Island (1966)

User Reviews

Only 14 chapter serial in movie history

Movie serials were traditionally 12 or 15 chapters, depending on the production schedule. Republic, Columbia and Universal all supplied their distributors with four serials a year. Republic usually stuck to the 12 chapter format, releasing their summer season serial in 15 chapters. That's so the theaters could start running the first chapter in late May, right before school ended, and wrapping it up by the first week of September. Columbia maintained a 15 chapter serial schedule throughout its career. Universal produced 13 chapter serials. Robinson Crusoe on Clipper Island was the first and only 14 chapter serial in movie history. It came about before the serial was completely finished. The film was shot on Santa Cruz Island, near Santa Barbara. The producers discovered they had gone over budget and to keep the rental cost at $12-15 per chapter, they wrote two additional chapters using footage that had already been used and writing two new "takeouts" or end of the chapter perils. The writer assigned to do this as his first task at Republic was Barry Shipman, who would later write many of the Republic serials and also write the Durango Kid series.