Moving into the Universal Pictures portion of our series, we see George Waggner's first foray into horror.
Bill Martin (Dick Foran) is a typical man about town. The only notable thing about him is his island. Yes, an island, although uninhabited hunk of rock might be a better description. Called 'Morgan's Island', Martin is content to let the hunk of rock remain that, but one day Tobias Clump (Leo Carrillo) runs into him and gives him part of a map. Clump claims this is the map to none other than the lost treasure of the infamous Henry Morgan himself.
Clump is fished out of the drink by Martin and his best bud "Stuff" Oliver (Fuzzy Knight) when he hands other half to them. He claims the other half was taken by a 'phantom' who also pushed him into the sea.
Martin's cousin George (John Elridge) happens by and offers to take the island off his hands. Martin doesn't bite and tries to get the map verified. He's told it's a fake, but he isn't deterred. Why not have a treasure hunt cruise? He could charge tourists fifty bucks a pop to dig for hidden treasure on his island.
On the way out they have a fender bender with rich socialite Wendy Creighton (Peggy Moran) and his boyfriend Thurman (Lewis Howard). Since Martin is still broke, he offers Wendy and Thurman a chance to be his first customers.
Soon the cruise is underway. Besides Cousin George and the rich pair, we also meet Professor Jasper Quinley (Hobart Cavanuagh), gangster Rod Grady (Ralf Harolde) and his moll Arleen (Iris Adrian) and plainclothes man McGoon (Walter Catlett).
Things start out with an ill omen as a bomb nearly takes out the boat. When they finally reach the island, the bad luck kicks into overdrive. Someone or something clearly wants them off the island. Who or what is behind it?
Not terrible but the old dark house bit was getting long in the tooth by the 40's. The characters are standard stock types, but the actors give it their best.
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