Undersea Kingdom (1936)

Crash Corrigan, a recent graduate of Annapolis, and Diana, a go-getting reporter, join Professor Norton for a search for the source of a string of earthquakes, Atlantis. They ride Prof. ... See full summary »

Directors:

B. Reeves Eason, Joseph Kane

Writers:

John Rathmell (screenplay), Maurice Geraghty (screenplay)

Stars:

Ray Corrigan, Lois Wilde, Monte Blue

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ray Corrigan	...	Crash Corrigan (as Ray 'Crash' Corrigan)
Lois Wilde	...	Diana Compton
Monte Blue	...	Unga Khan
William Farnum	...	Sharad
Boothe Howard	...	Ditmar
Raymond Hatton	...	Gasspon
C. Montague Shaw	...	Norton
Lee Van Atta	...	Billy Norton
Smiley Burnette	...	Briny Deep
Frankie Marvin	...	Salty
Lon Chaney Jr.	...	Hakur
Lane Chandler	...	Darius
Jack Mulhall	...	Andrews [Chs. 1, 12]
John Bradford	...	Joe [Ch. 1]
Malcolm McGregor	...	Zogg

Storyline

Crash Corrigan, a recent graduate of Annapolis, and Diana, a go-getting reporter, join Professor Norton for a search for the source of a string of earthquakes, Atlantis. They ride Prof. Norton's rocket submarine searching the sea and little Billy Norton, the professor's son stows away, of course. When they find Atlantis they are caught in a war between peaceful Atlanteans, note their white capes, and war-monging Atlanteans, note their black capes. After many harrowing moments for Crash, Diana, Prof. Norton and Billy, they barely get away with their lives when they escape a tower of Atlantis raised to the surface for the sole purpose of dominating or destroying the Earth (Which one depends on the compliance of the upper world dwellers.)

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Plot Keywords:

copper | gold | cliffhanger | chapter play | damsel in distress | 

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Taglines:

WEIRD THRILLS...Battling Mechanical Men On A Lost Continent! (original 1936 window card)

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Genres:

Sci-Fi | Adventure

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

The parrot's name is Sinbad.

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Goofs

The battle at the fortress in Chapters: 4 and 5, is repeated in Chapter: 10, with a different outcome.

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Quotes

[first lines]
[flexing muscles during a Naval Academy physical]
Crash Corrigan: How 'bout it, Doc. Do you think I'll live?
Navy Doctor [Ch. 1]: You look kind of weak and puny, but I think you'll pull through.

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Alternate Versions

The edited feature version titled "Sharad of Atlantis" was further condensed into a version for release to the 8mm/Super 8mm home movie market under that title.

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Connections

Featured in Atlantis: In Search of a Lost Continent (1997)

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Soundtracks

First Call
traditional bugle alert (heard in Chapter: 4)

User Reviews

Enjoy All Of The Gung-Ho Heroics Where The White Capes Vs. The Black Capes

Without a doubt, a big part of the reason why I gave "Undersea Kingdom" (from 1936) its 6-star rating has to do with the absolutely hilarious-looking robots who made regular appearances throughout this cheesy, vintage production.

Yeah. These robots (IMO) were an absolute riot. And without their unintentionally comical presence, I probably wouldn't have given this decidedly silly production more than just 4 stars, at best, as its rating.

Anyway - I'd say that (for the most part) "Undersea Kingdom" was (generally speaking) OK as far as low-budget entertainment goes. I found that it had both its fair share of good moments, as well as its not-so-good moments, too.

But, with that all said - Yes. It was a pretty goofy production (in the long run).

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 May 1936 (USA)

Also Known As:

Undersea Kingdom

Filming Locations:

Republic Studios - 4024 Radford Avenue, North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$99,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Republic Pictures (I)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

226 min (12 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Victor High Fidelity System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1