Fog Island *** (1945, George Zucco, Lionel Atwill, Jerome Cowan) – Classic Movie Review 6133

Director Terry O Morse’s lusty, moderately engaging 1945 Agatha Christie-style revenge horror thriller stars George Zucco as Leo Grainger, an inventor ex-convict who summons those business associates he thinks have maliciously caused his troubles to a dark house on a remote island, where he plans to terminate them.

Grainger was framed for embezzlement and is now living in seclusion on Fog Island with his stepdaughter, the daughter of his late wife. He invites the four people who framed him, one of whom he suspects killed his wife. The four, plus Granger’s former cellmate, believe Grainger’s money stash is hidden in the house, a one-time pirate hideaway.

Pierre Gendron’s rather tame script is based on a play by Bernadine Angus, which is remarkably similar in theme to Christie’s And Then There Were None (aka Ten Little Indians) so there is a sense of over-familiarity.

And PRC [Producers Releasing Corporation]’s cheap-looking production is another problem. But the movie is rescued by a memorable pairing of the splendid masters of menace George Zucco (as Leo Grainger) and Lionel Atwill (as Alec Ritchfield).

Also working hard in the better than average cast are Jerome Cowan, Sharon Douglas, Veda Ann Borg, Ian Keith, John Whitney, Jacqueline deWit and George Lloyd as Allerton the butler.

It is shot in black and white by Ira H Morgan, produced by Leon Fromkess and Terry O Morse, scored by Karl Hajos, and designed by Paul Palmentola.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 6133

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