bkoganbing
Return To Treasure Island was the farewell film for noted character actor Porter
Hall. But aside from a chance for Hall to play one of his sniveling rat villain type
characters once more and for Tab Hunter to go around bare chested for most of
the film there's not much else to recommend this film.Hunter also narrates the film from flashback, he's a graduate student and his
contention is that there's more treasure to be found on Treasure Island. The
famous Robert Louis Stevenson novel is treated as a factual account of a voyage. He interests a descendent of Jim Hawkins played by Dawn Addams
in taking a look for some more. There is also a flashback showing Captain
Flint coming back to bury some more so we know this to be true.Unfortunately they also interest some greedy villains like Hall, like the blind
James Seay who has his own gang of pirates 20th century style.Hunter looks fabulous, Addams who is scantily clad herself look pretty good,
something for everyone's prurient interest. Too bad they weren't provided
with a decent story and the acting is amateurish.Hunter did have sex appeal though. Otherwise this film would have sunk his
career without a trace.
grizzledgeezer
I just saw this zero-entertainment-value time-waster on this. You'd think MGM had better films to fill the wee small hours of the morning.The script is amateurish, with clumsy dialog and zero suspense or dramatic interest. (I don't think there's a single line that isn't expository.) At least the director keeps things moving along (probably because he wanted to get it all over with).There is a single (unintentionally) amusing moment, when one of the villains tries to shoot another villain. The latter runs back and forth trying to avoid the bullets, resembling a ball bearing in a pinball machine.The project seems to have been cooked up not only to take advantage of the success of the Disney film, but to let Mr Hunter walk around with his shirt off.Unless you find either of the leads appealing, this is strictly Sominex cinema.
wes-connors
Here is a contemporary sequel to Robert Louis Stevenson's classic "Treasure Island" (1883). We begin with a brief flashback to the 1700s, which serves to link the old treasure map to the present. In 1954, the map is in the possession of beautiful Dawn Addams (as Jamesina "Jamie" Hawkins), a direct descendant of "Jim Hawkins" (the original story's young hero). The map's worth is suddenly realized, leading to the titular return. On the island, Ms. Addams meets handsome archaeologist Tab Hunter (as Clive Stone)...Mr. Hunter is also the story's star and narrator. He shaves off his beard for Addams (and keeps his shirt off for viewers). She keeps her shirt on, except for a brief bath scene (which is modestly shot for the viewer). The attractive couple kiss and hold hands while battling Porter Hall (as Maximillian "Maxie" Harris) and his sadistic blind henchman James Seay (as Felix Newman). Everyone wants the treasure. Directed by veteran E.A. DuPont, this production relies mostly on the attractiveness of Hunter and Addams.*** Return to Treasure Island (6/30/54) E.A. DuPont ~ Tab Hunter, Dawn Addams, Porter Hall, James Seay
rduchmann
Peachy Jamesina "Jamie" Hawkins, femme descendant of guess who, is lured by Porter Hall into taking a jaunt to Treasure Island to find the loot that was overlooked back in 1753. (She's English, so maybe she never saw any Porter Hall movies. Her great-grandfather also trusted the wrong fellow at first.) On the island Jamie meets marooned sailor Tab Hunter (no shirt, bushy red beard) and together they fend off the bad guys while searching for the treasure. Basically kid-level programmer from UA, but Dawn Addams' fresh-faced good looks help quite a lot. OK 75 minute timewaster as long as you're not expecting Wallace Beery or Robert Newton to shiver your timbers.