Island of Desire (1952)
"Saturday Island" (original title)

Based on and screenplay adapted from a Hugh Brooke story that appeared in "The Saturday Evening Post" and was not a novel: Lieutenant Elizabeth Smythe, a U.S. Military hospital-ship nurse, ... See full summary »

Director:

Stuart Heisler

Writers:

Stuart Heisler (screen story), Hugh Brooke (from the novel "Saturday Island" by),

Stars:

Linda Darnell, Tab Hunter, Donald Gray

Cast

Cast overview:
Linda Darnell	...	Lt. Elizabeth Smythe
Tab Hunter	...	Marine Corporal Michael J. 'Chicken' Dugan
Donald Gray	...	William Peck
John Laurie	...	Grimshaw
Sheila Chong	...	Tukua
Russell Waters	...	Dr. Snyder
Hilda Fenemore	...	Ollie
Brenda Hogan	...	Jane
Diana Decker	...	Mike
Peggy Hassard	...	Maggie
Michael Newell	...	Eddie
Lloyd Lamble	...	Officer of the Watch
Peter Butterworth	...	Wounded Marine
Harold Ayer	...	Marine Sergeant
MacDonald Parke	...	Ship's Captain

Storyline

Based on and screenplay adapted from a Hugh Brooke story that appeared in "The Saturday Evening Post" and was not a novel: Lieutenant Elizabeth Smythe, a U.S. Military hospital-ship nurse, and Marine Corporal Michael J. "Chicken" Dolan, are the only survivors when a hospital ship hits a mine in the South Pacific during World War II. The two spend months alone on a deserted island and, in spite of the age-difference, fall in love...and for other obvious reasons. Their peaceful existence is shattered when an airplane crashes on the island and the only survivor, William Peck, also falls for Elizabeth. Back in civilization, after being rescued by a passing Navy-ship, they all see each other in a different light and have different reactions than expected.

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Plot Keywords:

hospital ship | south pacific | corporal | mine | nurse | 

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Taglines:

A South-Seas Shangri-La of romance and adventure beyond your wildest dreams!

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Genres:

Adventure | Romance | War

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 August 1952 (USA)

Also Known As:

Island of Desire

Filming Locations:

Ocho Rios, St. Ann, Jamaica

Company Credits

Production Co:

Coronado Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The July 22, 1952 edition of The New York Times noted that this film would make its local debut at Lowe's Metropolitan Theatre in Brooklyn on Wednesday, July 30. However, the newspaper did not send a reviewer on opening day.

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Goofs

Although they are supposed to be on a desert island. when they are standing on the hillside overlooking the sea, there are clearly huts on the promontory below them.

User Reviews

Good film for it's time

I enjoyed this 1952 movie. It never tried to be anything but what it was. Shipwreck, stranded on an island, beautiful Linda Darnell and handsome young Tab Hunter in his first film. The star never looked better and the story was not difficult to understand. Enter Donald Gray as the other part of the triangle and you have conflict amongst the natives.

Linda Darnell, every inch a movie star, graced the screen with her alluring and dark looks. She never gives you the idea of anything else but what she is. True better films came her way, but listen, just watching the glamor of the star system was enough in those days. See her in LETTER TO THREE WIVES or UNFAITHFULLY YOURS, ANNA AND THE KING OF SIAM, even that clinker FOREVER AMBER for more meaty roles. But sometimes it's refreshing to see that stars as themselves in romantic and sometimes far fetched plots. Remember in the 40s and 50s the studios ruled the films and the stars. It was their mission to expose their glamor and popularity. How many films did it take for Elizabeth Taylor to turn into a decent actress?

Tab Hunter took a lot of slack for this film from the critics. But the studios had other thoughts in mind and thankfully they took him under their wings and turned him into a top teen aged heart throb. He too learned his craft along the way. Watch him in GUNMAN'S WALK, BATTLE CRY, THE AROUSERS and LUST IN THE DUST. He again was just a pleasure to watch on the screen with his blonde hair good looks and well toned physique.

It was the time of the stars. It was their films, their popularity and faithful fans that kept the movies alive in those days. Now days it's the violence and spectacle that hold court in films. Sadly, the days of glamor have long gone. And the stars with them.