Manfish (1956)

Director:

W. Lee Wilder

Writers:

Edgar Allan Poe (stories)
Myles Wilder (story)

Release Date:

February 1956 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Thriller

Tagline:

Battling aqua-lung adventure!

Plot:

Three deep sea divers get involved in murder while searching for a lost treasure. |

Plot Keywords:

Murder | Treasure | Lost Treasure | Public Domain | Scuba Diving

Cast

John Bromfield	...	Capt. Brannigan
Lon Chaney Jr.	...	Swede (as Lon Chaney)
Victor Jory	...	'Professor'
Tessa Prendergast	...	Alita
Barbara Nichols	...	Mimi
Vincent Chang	...	Domingo, young crewman
Theodore Purcell	...	'Big Boy', older crewman
John Vere	...	Mr. Bianco, financier
Arnold Shanks	...	Capt. Aleppo
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Eric Coverly	...	Chavez
Clyde Hoyte	...	Calypso
Jack Lewis	...	Warren

Also Known As:

Calypso (UK)

Runtime:

76 min | 87 min (DVD)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:K-16

Filming Locations:

Jamaica

Company:

Planet Filmplays

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Charles Manson Superstar (1989) (V)

Manfish (1956) **

Supposedly based on two of Edgar Allan Poe's stories ("The Gold Bug" and "The Tell-Tale Heart") this is not a horror movie but a seldom-seen adventure film of particular interest to movie buffs largely because of Lon Chaney, Jr.'s presence as yet another dimwitted "Lenny-esque" character. He plays a lumbering and gullible first mate nicknamed "Swede" to the mean and unlikeable Captain Brannigan (John Bromfield). Taking place in exotic Jamaican locations, these two sailors board their ship, christened the Manfish, and search the waters of the Caribbean for a buried treasure. They gain an unwelcome partner when they cross paths with a cunning professor (Victor Jory, who tends to go off the deep end now and then) who happens to hold part of the key to their fortune.

At first it's evident that MANFISH is not only rather cheap, but also not all that well directed, but much to its credit things gradually escalate to a satisfying and intense last act as murder and foul play kick into gear. If not for the fact that two of its main characters are so despicable (the captain and the professor) this could have been more potent. As it stands, Lon Chaney is the only likable member of the cast and while his old Lenny routine may be very familiar, at least it adds something light to an otherwise loathsome crew.

This is definitely worth watching, though it may be hard to come by. Retromedia DVD has helped make it easier with their 16mm print featured on their own LON CHANEY COLLECTION disc. Curiously, the copy I screened was in black and white although the end credits clearly proclaim, "Color by DeLuxe".