| Island of Lost Men | |
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Theatrical release poster |
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| Directed by | Kurt Neumann |
| Starring | Anna May Wong J. Carrol Naish Eric Blore |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
| Release date(s) | August 16, 1939 |
| Running time | 63 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $165,000[1] |
Island of Lost Men is a 1939 American movie directed by Kurt Neumann and starring Anna May Wong, J. Carrol Naish, and Anthony Quinn. It tells the story of the daughter of a general who goes to look for her father after he disappears. The film received mixed reviews and was the last that Wong made for Paramount Pictures.
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Kim Ling (Anna May Wong), the daughter of a general accused of embezzling $300,000 of government money, goes to investigate his disappearance. She eventually discovers a labor camp run by Gregory Prin (J. Carrol Naish) to the north of Singapore and meets Chang Tai (Anthony Quinn), who is undercover investigating Prin's activities. Together they manage to discover Ling's father and the money, as well as identify several known fugitives. After the arrival of Tex Ballister (Broderick Crawford), who reveals Tai's true identity and attempts to blackmail Prin, ignites a local rebellion, Ling, her father, and Tai escape.
Island of Lost Men was filmed in the spring of 1939.[2] Production was delayed by cost overruns. Among the most expensive scenes were those involving the jungle and the river scene; the total cost overruns were approximately $25,000. Wong's salary was $6000 with another $1000 paid for overtime, while Quinn only earned $750.[1]
The original title for the movie was Guns for China. However, the US State Department implored studios to avoid referencing or alluding to the then-ongoing Second Sino-Japanese War. After discussing with its sales manager in Japan, Paramount Pictures changed the title to Island of Lost Men.[3]
Wong sang "Music on the Shore", composed by Friedrich Hollaender and Frank Loesser. The song was written especially for her.[4]
Island of Lost Men received its American release on August 16, 1939.[5] Critical reception was mixed. Variety praised the general production, acting (especially Wong's), and sets; however, it considered the plot to be "trite". The Daily Variety noted that Wong's singing was "pleasing". The English magazine Kinetographic Weekly was dismissive of the film, but was pleased by Wong's acting. [4] Frank S. Nugent of the The New York Times wrote that the "kindliest" thing one could say about the movie is that Naish is in it, "only this time with a slant to Mr. Naish's villainous eyes", and that the jungle setting was so unbelievable that it implied that "if the camera were swung no more than a frame or so to either side it would reveal a filling station, or a roadside food dispensary in the shape of a hot dog".[6]
Island of Lost Men proved to be Wong's last movie with Paramount.[2] The studio did not renew her contract afterwards, possibly because of the budget overruns in Island.[1]