Port Sinister (1953)

A 17th-century Caribbean port rumored to have frequented by pirates rises from the ocean floor, where it came to rest after an earthquake many years before. A scientist wants to study it, ... See full summary »

Director:

Harold Daniels

Writers:

Aubrey Wisberg, Jack Pollexfen

Stars:

James Warren, Lynne Roberts, Paul Cavanagh

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Warren	...	Tony Ferris
Lynne Roberts	...	Dr. Joan Hunter
Paul Cavanagh	...	John Kolvac
William Schallert	...	Collins
House Peters Jr.	...	Jim Garry
Marjorie Stapp	...	Technician
Helen Winston	...	Florence
Eric Colmar	...	Christie
Norman Budd	...	Akers
Anne Kimbell	...	Nurse (as Anne Kimball)
Robert Bice	...	George Burt
Merritt Stone	...	Nick
Ken Terrell	...	Hollis
Charles Victor	...	Coast Guard Lieutenant
Edward Hearn	...	Capt. Crawley (as E. Guy Hearn)

Storyline

A 17th-century Caribbean port rumored to have frequented by pirates rises from the ocean floor, where it came to rest after an earthquake many years before. A scientist wants to study it, some thugs want the treasure alleged to be stored there, a bunch of mutated giant crabs living there attack them all.

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Plot Keywords:

port | escape | pirate | schooner | ocean | 

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Taglines:

Fantastic Science-Fiction Thriller!

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Genres:

Adventure | Crime | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 April 1953 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Ilha dos Homens Sem Alma

Filming Locations:

Portuguese Bend, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

American Pictures Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

65 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Jim Garry: Do you think they have Joan?
Tony Ferris: No.
Jim Garry: What makes you say that?
Tony Ferris: They'd have to reckon with us. Kolvac is smart enough to know that Joan is better ammunition than bullets.

User Reviews

Minor action picture with giant crabs.

A scientist predicts that recent earthquakes will cause the sunken pirate stronghold of Port Royale (which sunk in an earthquake in the 1600's) to briefly rise to the surface again. In a sea plane an expedition arrives on the island to salvage the pirate treasure before the island sinks again. Unfortunately, a gang of crooks learn of the expedition and the treasure the risen island holds and menace the the scientists. Sea turtle sized giant crabs emerge from a cave, briefly menacing the cast and dispatching with some of the bad guys. The good guys escape the island before an earthquake again causes the island to sink once again to the bottom of the sea.

PORT SINISTER, which was released as BEAST OF PARADISE ISLAND in the U.K., is a mostly minor routine adventure picture produced solely with the intent to fill the bottom half of a double bill (the original meaning of the term "B" movie). The giant crabs which play only a minor part in the proceedings, are probably the only reason why this mostly forgotten film has surfaced on video. The sets for the sunken island are mildly interesting, with lots of mist and low lighting to hide the cheapness. Acting and direction are routine. PORT SINISTER is another one of those films that one sits through mildly entertained, but it begins to fade from memory soon after one has seen it.