For the past year or so, Turner Classic Movies has been digging up several forgotten obscurities that probably haven't seen the light of day since their original release dates. Such an oddity is MISS ROBIN CRUSOE, a 1954 Fox pickup shown in a pristine, beautifully Pathecolored print this morning at 6 AM. The two other reviews have gleefully pointed out this unpretentious programmer's shortcomings. In defense, I'd like to list its merits. For one, while one critic griped that the movie was obviously shot on a studio soundstage, this is untrue. Several scenes were filmed on location with the stars cavorting in front of spectacular Pacific Ocean vistas(no process shots here!). Then-newcomers Amanda Blake and George Nader could easily have sleepwalked thru the proceedings but act with such sincerity and conviction that it's no wonder both of them quickly went on to stardom: Ms. Blake on TV's legendary 20-year series "Gunsmoke", while Nader was quickly signed to a Universal-International contract (and starred in such 'A' features as "Unguarded Moment", "Away All Boats", "Four Girls in Town", "The Second Greatest Sex" and the unjustly overlooked superior second-feature "Man Afraid"--I've always been grateful to this gentleman for responding to my fan letter, at the age of 8, with a personally autographed 5x7 photo and a hand-written letter of appreciation!). Feminists could write a fascinating thesis on this gender-reversed take on Dafoe's classic novel. (The censors must have been comatose when, towards the conclusion, Ms. Blake and Nader engage in an oceanside coupling that, for pure eroticism, outdoes the similar-but-much-celebrated clinch in "From Here to Eternity" and did I detect a sapphic undertone in the scene where the female Friday gazes at and touches the sleeping Ms. Blake's body?) All of this packed into an action-packed 73-minute running time, scored by the then-unknown Elmer Bernstein. I'm by no means recommending that you go out of your way to track down "Miss Robin Crusoe" but the next time (if ever) it turns up on TCM, you might give it a try. It's certainly far more fun than the Peter O'Toole/Richard Roundtree "revisionist" version of Dafoe's tale, the godawful "Man Friday"!
11 Reviews
Role reversal
bkoganbing16 April 2020
The classic Robinson Crusoe story is given a makeover with a role reversal in this
cheaply shot B film.
It's Amanda Blake who went to sea in male drag that's the survivor of a shiowreck and stranded in a tropic island off Brazil in the 17th century. And as in the Daniel Defoe classic she rescues Rosalind Hayes, a tribal woman slated to be a sacridice to their Deity. She's less than thrilled with the honor.
Blake and Hayes live well on the island and there's more than a hint of lesbianism in the relationship. It all changes when hunky George Nader of the British navy also gets stranded.
This film should have a place of honor in the gay cinema. Sadly it looks like it was a dental floss budget that was available.
It's Amanda Blake who went to sea in male drag that's the survivor of a shiowreck and stranded in a tropic island off Brazil in the 17th century. And as in the Daniel Defoe classic she rescues Rosalind Hayes, a tribal woman slated to be a sacridice to their Deity. She's less than thrilled with the honor.
Blake and Hayes live well on the island and there's more than a hint of lesbianism in the relationship. It all changes when hunky George Nader of the British navy also gets stranded.
This film should have a place of honor in the gay cinema. Sadly it looks like it was a dental floss budget that was available.
"There's a limit to a man's humor with a lass."
utgard1421 December 2014
Gender-switch version of Robinson Crusoe, with the roles of Crusoe and Friday played by women. Amanda Blake, of Gunsmoke fame, plays the lead. Rosalind Hayes plays Friday. Because this is the '50s and the main character is a woman, a man (George Nader) has to be introduced into the story. She has to have a beefcake love interest. I'm not even kidding. Once he shows up the entire point of the story becomes less about survival and more about romance. The whole thing is unconvincingly shot on sets and in Palos Verdes, California. They're clearly never on a tropical island. It is reasonably well-photographed, though. The best part about it is the Elmer Bernstein score, which is far better than a cheapie like this deserves. I'm a fan of castaway stories. I've read Dafoe's novel and seen several film adaptations of it. This isn't one of my favorites. It's worth watching for a B movie but don't expect much. Oh and how about our heroine's musket? Does she ever need to reload that thing or is it magic?
Poorly made Robinson Crusoe ripoff
frankfob22 January 2012
Amanda Blake (Miss Kitty from "Gunsmoke") plays "Miss Robin Crusoe" in this low-budget, rather crudely made female version of the Daniel Defoe classic. Blake--who bears a striking resemblance here to British beauty Hazel Court--is the survivor of a shipwreck whose lifeboat beaches on a deserted island. She tries her best, but the script is weak and contrived, and the fact that most of it is filmed on a sound stage by director Eugene Frenke--a longtime European producer who was married to Anna Sten, here credited as "technical adviser"--in a routine, by-the-numbers fashion doesn't help, either. Blake saves native girl Friday (Rosalind Hayes) from being sacrificed by her tribe, and not long afterward hunky George Nader washes up ashore, the survivor of a shipwreck. There's somewhat of a twist in the proceedings when Nader attempts to take charge of things and plans to take the lifeboat out to search for passing ships, but is firmly told by Blake that SHE is in charge on the island and SHE decides what actions are to be taken.
Unfortunately, though, the film soon degenerates into a sappy love triangle when Friday--who Blake basically treats like a slave and at one point actually refers to her as "a savage"--in a fit of jealousy lets Nader eat some poison fruit that almost kills him, and Blake starts to fall for him.
About the best that can be said for it is that it's well photographed, but since most of it is, as noted, shot on a sound stage, that doesn't matter much. Frenke was a better producer than he is a director; Nader is, as usual, bland and colorless; relative unknown Hayes doesn't make much of an impression as Friday; and Blake, while looking fetching in a skimpy outfit similar to that worn by Jane in the "Tarzan" movies, tries but can't overcome a poor script and slovenly direction.
Worth watching once for the novelty of seeing a female version of the classic novel, but no more than that.
Unfortunately, though, the film soon degenerates into a sappy love triangle when Friday--who Blake basically treats like a slave and at one point actually refers to her as "a savage"--in a fit of jealousy lets Nader eat some poison fruit that almost kills him, and Blake starts to fall for him.
About the best that can be said for it is that it's well photographed, but since most of it is, as noted, shot on a sound stage, that doesn't matter much. Frenke was a better producer than he is a director; Nader is, as usual, bland and colorless; relative unknown Hayes doesn't make much of an impression as Friday; and Blake, while looking fetching in a skimpy outfit similar to that worn by Jane in the "Tarzan" movies, tries but can't overcome a poor script and slovenly direction.
Worth watching once for the novelty of seeing a female version of the classic novel, but no more than that.
Amanda Blake before Gunsmoke
ZoZo1322 January 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Just before Amanda Blake was to become famous in her long-running role as Miss Kitty in "Gunsmoke", she starred in this poor take on Robinson Crusoe.
Miss Crusoe (Blake) hates men. So it's fortunate that she ends up on an island with only a female Friday as company. Both women look great with makeup and sexy outfits of course.
After they survive a Hurricane, they find two men on the beach. The older, heavier man is dead. But the gorgeous man with the great build (Nader) survives. There are silly events like Friday doing a type of voodoo fire dance to force the two white folks into a love scene. There's a scene where Friday goes to a sleeping Robin, touches her skin and hair, then the scene abruptly cuts off leaving us to question whether this was a love scene or just comparison of the two women.
I couldn't help but notice how Nader's pants practically disintegrate and what's left is quite revealing (especially when he runs!).
When the movie ended I was left wondering what happened to Friday.
This was a very low-budget movie with stock footage and few extras. They even used some of the same brown material to clothe the two women and some of the natives.
Miss Crusoe (Blake) hates men. So it's fortunate that she ends up on an island with only a female Friday as company. Both women look great with makeup and sexy outfits of course.
After they survive a Hurricane, they find two men on the beach. The older, heavier man is dead. But the gorgeous man with the great build (Nader) survives. There are silly events like Friday doing a type of voodoo fire dance to force the two white folks into a love scene. There's a scene where Friday goes to a sleeping Robin, touches her skin and hair, then the scene abruptly cuts off leaving us to question whether this was a love scene or just comparison of the two women.
I couldn't help but notice how Nader's pants practically disintegrate and what's left is quite revealing (especially when he runs!).
When the movie ended I was left wondering what happened to Friday.
This was a very low-budget movie with stock footage and few extras. They even used some of the same brown material to clothe the two women and some of the natives.
Two 14 year-olds make a T &A movie
sampson-828 January 2013
Warning: Spoilers
I knew, when I saw the awful credits roll, that this was going to be a really bad movie. The titles were drawn on parchment shaped to look like ship's sails and even shook (or vibrated) to imply wind. I barely knew it was filmed in color until a faded red peeked out from the blurry background. The special effects of the ship-wreck reminded me of a child batting about his bathtub toys. The next scene had the beautiful Amanda Blake laying castaway on the beach, her gorgeous red hair freshly coiffed and blow-dried. Her clothes, perfectly intact remained so during the chase scene up the cliff upon which she wrestled with and threw off her twice-as-strong attacker, who, having just recovered from a half-drowned state felt that sex was more important than self-preservation. This was one of those dreadful films that common sense says to turn it off, yet some morbid instinct keeps the viewer riveted to the screen to see how much worse it can get. It does not disappoint. From Ms. Blake's terrible English accent, 'repeating' flintlock muskets, cheesecake females prancing around in Cypress Gardens, a male lead with what looks like glued-on chest hair to a complete departure from reality. At the end, however, I was glad I saw it, and will see it again, not as some cinematic flagellation, but an exercise of satisfaction, having seen the worst movie ever made. I recommend this to anyone who thinks they have seen the worst movie ever. This starts badly and just gets worse. One redeeming feature-Elmer Bernstein's lively music score.
This could have been so much better....as is, it's pretty lame.
planktonrules17 April 2020
"Miss Robin Crusoe" is a film where the original story was reworked into a watchable but ultimately dopey movie. It begins with Robin (Amanda Blake) getting washed up on an unchartered island. Eventually, the place is invaded by evil savages and Robin fights them off...and rescues a native. Soon, she (expectedly) names her new acquisition 'Friday' and they have a pretty cool life together until a man (George Nader) arrives....and Friday and Robin distrust him and his motives.
Back in the day, getting the look right meant very little in films. Here, like many jungle films, they combine animals from Africa AND other continents (such as Australia). And, the same goes for the 'natives'--who don't look Polynesian or Melanesian....just like black American actors. It really was sloppy. They also have muskets that magically reload themselves in seconds (an actual one took at least 30 seconds...and only that quickly if the person was an expert).
Now as to the story...well, it was pretty silly and dumb. My advice is to see the much better Luis Buñuel version with Dan O'Herlihy...it's much closer to the book, less silly and less formulaic. Also, this 1954 version could easily be seen as a bit racist today....and with good reason. Overall, a silly and forgettable film.
Back in the day, getting the look right meant very little in films. Here, like many jungle films, they combine animals from Africa AND other continents (such as Australia). And, the same goes for the 'natives'--who don't look Polynesian or Melanesian....just like black American actors. It really was sloppy. They also have muskets that magically reload themselves in seconds (an actual one took at least 30 seconds...and only that quickly if the person was an expert).
Now as to the story...well, it was pretty silly and dumb. My advice is to see the much better Luis Buñuel version with Dan O'Herlihy...it's much closer to the book, less silly and less formulaic. Also, this 1954 version could easily be seen as a bit racist today....and with good reason. Overall, a silly and forgettable film.
gender agenda
SnoopyStyle26 May 2021
It's 1659. Miss Robin Crusoe (Amanda Blake) gets stranded on a tropical island after losing her family when her ship sinks in a storm. She manages to fight off a lecherous crewman and pushes him off a cliff. She befriends a monkey and builds a tree top home. She rescues a native girl from being sacrificed by her tribe. She gives her the name Friday. The two women live comfortably in isolation until another shipwreck survivor Jonathan washes up onshore.
The first thing I noticed with this female castaway is that she has plenty of makeup but no fire. It's telling that the fire isn't shown until the man makes one. Here's the deal. I think people back in the day panned it for changing the gender of the role. There is definitely a lot of man-hating female empowerment which would be off-putting back then. It also whiplashes back which is just as off=putting. It struggles with its own gender agenda. For me, the bigger problem is the dated colonial views of the source material. In the end, it's better than expected but nothing to write home about. They should have gone full Tom Hanks' Cast Away but that's asking too much for this B-movie. At least, there are some scenes of nature and animals and wave lapping shores. The acting is somewhat bad and the writing is worst. It's interesting for pushing the gender envelope but it folds up that envelope just as quickly. The romantic melodrama is a matter of bad writing and chaotic story telling. It leaves Robin in a bad light. In the end, this is an interesting attempt but ultimately, a failure. It's also noteworthy that non of the writers or director is a woman. It's noticeable with the words coming out her mouth. The dialogue is generally clunky. I'm a sucker for Survivor but this has too many problems.
The first thing I noticed with this female castaway is that she has plenty of makeup but no fire. It's telling that the fire isn't shown until the man makes one. Here's the deal. I think people back in the day panned it for changing the gender of the role. There is definitely a lot of man-hating female empowerment which would be off-putting back then. It also whiplashes back which is just as off=putting. It struggles with its own gender agenda. For me, the bigger problem is the dated colonial views of the source material. In the end, it's better than expected but nothing to write home about. They should have gone full Tom Hanks' Cast Away but that's asking too much for this B-movie. At least, there are some scenes of nature and animals and wave lapping shores. The acting is somewhat bad and the writing is worst. It's interesting for pushing the gender envelope but it folds up that envelope just as quickly. The romantic melodrama is a matter of bad writing and chaotic story telling. It leaves Robin in a bad light. In the end, this is an interesting attempt but ultimately, a failure. It's also noteworthy that non of the writers or director is a woman. It's noticeable with the words coming out her mouth. The dialogue is generally clunky. I'm a sucker for Survivor but this has too many problems.
This poignant, bittersweet and sad romance . . .
tadpole-596-91825622 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
. . . deals with the love triangle posed by Miss Friday Matinee, Robin and Jon. Though Friday and Jon are both sweet on MISS ROBIN CRUSOE, Friday would seem to have all the advantage. She has gutted more cannibal chiefs than her male rival, and she's really good at making fire and shrinking heads. She's a far more sensitive and tender lover than the brusque, oafish, clumsy naval officer, and she's got a lot more rhythm, as well. Friday can whittle concert-ready orchestral woodwind instruments, and then play them with expert proficiency. However, Robin apparently feels shoehorned into a straight perspective, and dismisses Friday's myriad charms with an off-hand gesture. How 17th Century!
Watched because Miss Kitty was the star.
f23458919 May 2021
I watched it as a curiosity because Amanda Blake was in it. I imagine when this film came out it would have been the second film of a double feature. The producers didn't waste many dollars on things like script and such.
Utter Nonsense
theognis-8082118 May 2021
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