Island of Doomed Men
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Island of Doomed Men is a black-and-white 1940 film, released by Columbia Pictures, which was directed by Charles Barton from a screenplay by Robert Hardy Andrews. Its running time is 68 minutes.
Robert Wilcox plays an undercover government-agent who agrees to be "framed" on a murder charge so he can be sent to prison. With his criminal "credentials" established, Wilcox is now paroled to work in a mine on an isolated Pacific island owned by Peter Lorre. The government wants Wilcox to learn if, as rumored, Lorre mistreats his workers.
Once on the island, Wilcox quickly finds himself subjected to the harsh conditions of a slave-labor camp. He also meets Peter Lorre's beautiful young wife, played by Rochelle Hudson, who -- despite her jewels and stylish wardrobe -- is every bit as much a prisoner as the men sweating in the mine. Once Lorre discovers Wilcox's true identity, Wilcox must work quickly to save his own life and to free from bondage all those held captive on the island.
Told in brisk, straightforward style, this movie exemplifies the Hollywood "B-movie" of its time but Peter Lorre's sardonic performance adds just enough style to lift it above the ordinary. Rochelle Hudson is no more than decorative but Robert Wilcox shows a promise that was never fulfilled in the movies. (He later married Diana Barrymore -- they both suffered from alcoholism -- and died prematurely at the age of 45.) Wilcox's most memorable scene comes at night when, on the command of the suavely-sadistic Lorre, he's tied to a whipping post and lashed across his bare back till he sinks into unconsciounsess. This scene is said to have been filmed in an area of L.A.'s Griffith Park called Bronson Canyon.
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