Haunted Island
Encyclopedia
Haunted Island is a 1928 silent
action
film serial directed by Robert F. Hill
. The serial was released in 10 chapters of two reels each, with the first episode ("A Night of Fear") released on March 26, 1928. Each episode featured a lurid title, such as "The Phantom Rider," "The Haunted Room," "The Fires of Fury," or "Buried Alive." The serial was a remake of the 1918 Universal serial The Brass Bullet
, which was based on the story "Pleasure Island."
As of October 2009, Haunted Island is considered a lost film
.
island known as Pleasure Island. A hidden cache of gold is allegedly buried on the island, which has several haunted structures. Rosalind's uncle, Spring Gilbert (Al Ferguson), wants the gold for himself and declares he will stop at nothing, not even the death of his niece, to get it. Rosalind, meanwhile, is befriended by Jerry Fitzjames (Jack Dougherty), a playwright. Unfortunately, Jack has only recently escaped from a psychiatric hospital
. Although he swears to protect Rosalind, she doubts Jerry's sanity. The two lovers race against Uncle Gilbert (who has set several traps for them) to find the treasure. In the end, Rosalind and Jerry are aided by the "Phantom Rider," a spectral horseman.
To market the film, Universal Studios printed a unique "one-sheet"—a 27 inch by 41 inch (68.6 cm by 119.4 cm), five-color poster in the form of an old pirate map illustrated with scenes from each chapter of the serial.
Silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
action
Action film
Action film is a film genre where one or more heroes is thrust into a series of challenges that require physical feats, extended fights and frenetic chases...
film serial directed by Robert F. Hill
Robert F. Hill
Robert F. Hill was a Canadian film director, screenwriter, and actor during the silent film era.-Selected filmography:-External links:...
. The serial was released in 10 chapters of two reels each, with the first episode ("A Night of Fear") released on March 26, 1928. Each episode featured a lurid title, such as "The Phantom Rider," "The Haunted Room," "The Fires of Fury," or "Buried Alive." The serial was a remake of the 1918 Universal serial The Brass Bullet
The Brass Bullet
The Brass Bullet is a 1918 adventure film serial directed by Ben F. Wilson. It is now considered to be lost.-Cast:* Juanita Hansen - Rosalind Joy* Jack Mulhall - Jack James* Charles Hill Mailes - Homer Joy* Joseph W. Girard - Spring Gilbert...
, which was based on the story "Pleasure Island."
As of October 2009, Haunted Island is considered a lost film
Lost film
A lost film is a feature film or short film that is no longer known to exist in studio archives, private collections or public archives such as the Library of Congress, where at least one copy of all American films are deposited and catalogued for copyright reasons...
.
Synopsis
Rosalind Joy (Helen Foster) is an heiress who has inherited a South SeasPacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
island known as Pleasure Island. A hidden cache of gold is allegedly buried on the island, which has several haunted structures. Rosalind's uncle, Spring Gilbert (Al Ferguson), wants the gold for himself and declares he will stop at nothing, not even the death of his niece, to get it. Rosalind, meanwhile, is befriended by Jerry Fitzjames (Jack Dougherty), a playwright. Unfortunately, Jack has only recently escaped from a psychiatric hospital
Psychiatric hospital
Psychiatric hospitals, also known as mental hospitals, are hospitals specializing in the treatment of serious mental disorders. Psychiatric hospitals vary widely in their size and grading. Some hospitals may specialise only in short-term or outpatient therapy for low-risk patients...
. Although he swears to protect Rosalind, she doubts Jerry's sanity. The two lovers race against Uncle Gilbert (who has set several traps for them) to find the treasure. In the end, Rosalind and Jerry are aided by the "Phantom Rider," a spectral horseman.
Casting and marketing
Actor Jack Dougherty had been signed by Universal in 1924, and quickly became of the leading men in Universal's serials. However, this film was Dougherty's last for Universal.To market the film, Universal Studios printed a unique "one-sheet"—a 27 inch by 41 inch (68.6 cm by 119.4 cm), five-color poster in the form of an old pirate map illustrated with scenes from each chapter of the serial.
Cast
- Jack Dougherty - Jerry Fitzjames
- Helen Foster - Rosalind Joy
- Carl Miller - Yetor King
- Al FergusonAl FergusonAl Ferguson was an Irish-born American film actor. He appeared in nearly 300 films between 1912 and 1956.He was born in County Wexford, Ireland and died in Long Island, New York.-Selected filmography:...
- Spring Gilbert - John T. Prince - Mark Joy
- Grace CunardGrace CunardGrace Cunard was an American actress, screenwriter and film director, who was also sister of actress Mina Cunard.-Career:...
- Mary Strong - Wilbur MackWilbur MackWilbur Mack was an American film actor and early vaudeville performer from the 1920s through the 1960s. His film acting career began during the silent film era....
- Myrtle Grinley
- John Wallace
- Scotty Mattraw