Torture Ship (1939)

A mad scientist performs experiments on "the criminal mind" on captured criminals on board his private ship.

Director:

Victor Halperin

Writer:

Jack London (story)

Stars:

Lyle Talbot, Irving Pichel, Julie Bishop

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Lyle Talbot	...	Lt. Bob Bennett
Irving Pichel	...	Dr. Herbert Stander
Julie Bishop	...	Joan Martel (as Jacqueline Wells)
Sheila Bromley	...	Poison Mary Slavish
Anthony Averill	...	Dirk - Stander's Aide
Russell Hopton	...	Harry 'The Carver' Bogard
Julian Madison	...	Paul - Stander's Aide
Eddie Holden	...	Ole Olson
Wheeler Oakman	...	John Ritter
Stanley Blystone	...	Capt. Mike Briggs
Leander De Cordova	...	Ezra Matthews (as Leander de Cordova)
Demetrius Alexis	...	Steve Murano (as Dmitri Alexis)
Skelton Knaggs	...	Jesse Bixel
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Carleton Young	...	Reporter (unconfirmed)

Storyline

A mad scientist performs experiments on "the criminal mind" on captured criminals on board his private ship.

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Plot Keywords:

ship | mad scientist | escaped convict | evil man | captain | 

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Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 October 1939 (USA)

Also Known As:

To karavi tou martyriou

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sigmund Neufeld Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

57 min 63 min (DVD) 62 min (Ontario)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

[first lines]
First reporter: Doctor, is it true that through your experiments in endocrine glands you can cure crime?
Second reporter: What about this crime cure?
Dr. Herbert Stander: Boys, after the grand jury's decision, I'll have a statement to make. If making a criminal mind is normal... than I'll be indicted.

User Reviews

Lots of Punches

There are a lot of people on this boat. Many are criminals who are going to be experimented upon against their wills. There is a boring Swedish guy who is supposed to be comic relief but turns out to be simply insufferable. There are people taken, escaping, taking over, taking back, getting injected, and so on. All in the name of science, I guess. There are many punches thrown. At one point, as they hit each guy coming through a door, they land, stacked nicely on the floor. One girl is a criminal, then she isn't, but she's here. It goes on and on and it just doesn't matter. Apparently some of the thing is missing. This may actually be merciful. It never piqued my interest for one second. And I actually recognized some of the actors. It's talky and obtuse. Don't bother.