With a quick "I Do" and a hasty good bye kiss, Val Stevens (Humphrey Bogart) takes off to save a handful of sailors caught in a furious tropical storm off the island of Tankana, the "Isle of Fury" of the title. With a look that asks "Did I do the right thing?", wife Lucille (Margaret Lindsay) questions her circumstances even more following the rescue of Eric Blake (Donald Woods), a handsome man who begins to fall for Lucille as the film progresses. In a desperate attempt to keep his pearl diving business alive and pay off their island home, Val is blind to his new wife's insecurity, and even encourages Eric to spend time with Lucille as he recuperates.
The moral conscience of the film is provided by Doc Hardy (E.E. Clive), a friend of the Stevens', who inserts sage advice at appropriate times, even recounting at one point the Biblical story of David and Bathsheba. It was David who sent Bathsheba's warrior husband off to war to be killed, so he could take up with the widow.
In the film's back story, Tankana's nearby island natives are refusing to dive for Val, following the disappearance of two villagers in the waters off the island. To prove there is nothing to fear, Val himself dons diving gear and heads for open water as the watchful natives stare in anticipation.
Pay attention as Val and Eric prepare to head off to the natives' island. As Eric greets Val with "Good morning, Skipper", Val responds to Eric with a hearty "Good morning Val". Neither actor batted an eye, nor apparently did the director, as the scene remained in the film.
Val's deep sea dive turns unintentionally funny as just behind him and unseen, a rather awkward looking octopus is revealed to be the cause of the natives' fears. Going hand to tentacle in unarmed combat, Val is a sure goner when his lifeline and oxygen supply both rip free of the fishing boat. Eric proves heroic, diving into the deep to defeat the beast and save Val from certain death.
In a gesture of generosity, Val offers Eric a 50/50 partnership in the diving business to remain behind, but heeding the good Doc's advice, Eric knows he must return to civilization. After all, Eric is the law, and Val was his fugitive quarry, on the run from authorities following the death of a man, though it's not clearly established whether Val was actually guilty or not. What matters is that Eric doesn't think so, having seen Val act with honor and integrity on Tankana.
Though still early in his career, Humphrey Bogart had appeared in about a dozen films by the time "Isle of Fury" was released. Following his career progress through the early films, one recognizes a more and more confident actor, though this film suffers from awkward editing at times. That's no less a recommendation though, do see it if you can find a copy of this unreleased Warner Brothers adventure, or stay attentive to classic movie cable listings.
The moral conscience of the film is provided by Doc Hardy (E.E. Clive), a friend of the Stevens', who inserts sage advice at appropriate times, even recounting at one point the Biblical story of David and Bathsheba. It was David who sent Bathsheba's warrior husband off to war to be killed, so he could take up with the widow.
In the film's back story, Tankana's nearby island natives are refusing to dive for Val, following the disappearance of two villagers in the waters off the island. To prove there is nothing to fear, Val himself dons diving gear and heads for open water as the watchful natives stare in anticipation.
Pay attention as Val and Eric prepare to head off to the natives' island. As Eric greets Val with "Good morning, Skipper", Val responds to Eric with a hearty "Good morning Val". Neither actor batted an eye, nor apparently did the director, as the scene remained in the film.
Val's deep sea dive turns unintentionally funny as just behind him and unseen, a rather awkward looking octopus is revealed to be the cause of the natives' fears. Going hand to tentacle in unarmed combat, Val is a sure goner when his lifeline and oxygen supply both rip free of the fishing boat. Eric proves heroic, diving into the deep to defeat the beast and save Val from certain death.
In a gesture of generosity, Val offers Eric a 50/50 partnership in the diving business to remain behind, but heeding the good Doc's advice, Eric knows he must return to civilization. After all, Eric is the law, and Val was his fugitive quarry, on the run from authorities following the death of a man, though it's not clearly established whether Val was actually guilty or not. What matters is that Eric doesn't think so, having seen Val act with honor and integrity on Tankana.
Though still early in his career, Humphrey Bogart had appeared in about a dozen films by the time "Isle of Fury" was released. Following his career progress through the early films, one recognizes a more and more confident actor, though this film suffers from awkward editing at times. That's no less a recommendation though, do see it if you can find a copy of this unreleased Warner Brothers adventure, or stay attentive to classic movie cable listings.