Movie review - "Forbidden Island" (1959) **

Charles B Griffith's success with Roger Corman led to Columbia hiring Griffith to write and produce two films, this and Ghost of the China Seas. He directed this one although apparently Fred Sears (who directed Ghost ) had to pitch in to help out.

It's reminiscent of the Hawaiian movies Corman made like Thunder Over Hawaii. It benefits from colour photography, location footage in Hawaii, underwater filming (in Florida). 

 There's also some star-ish factor with Jon Hall, looking older but still in shape, as a diver. And Corman fans will enjoy the appearance of Jonathan Haze has one of the other divers.

"John Farrow" plays the person financing the expedition - the baddie, with his fake marriage. Is that the John Farrow? He doesn't seem old enough. He's bald, which Farrow was. I've been trying to find out. Filming took place in late 1957 but the film wasn't released until 1959. Farrow made John Paul Jones in 1958 - this was only a short shoot so he would've had time... Farrow loved the islands.

There's a pleasant movie score. It feels like a Sam Katzman movie more than a Charles B. Griffith movie - conventional, solid.

There's odd bits like Jon Hall and Nan Adams walking hand in hand around the island.

Decent final fight.