Out of Singapore (DVD)

Hired to sail with the cargo ship Marigold, treacherous first mate Woolf Barstow feeds the captain a slow-acting poison as part of his scheme to sink the vessel for the insurance money. Barstow's long-time sweetheart, dancing girl Concha, becomes jealous when she realizes that Woolf lusts after the skipper's daughter. She stows away on the Marigold as it embarks on its final voyage. Two-fisted second mate Steve Trent tries to protect Mary but quickly runs afoul of the plotters and is thrown into irons. He must fight to escape if he is to save Mary and himself from going down with the doomed ship.

Skillfully directed by former serial star Charles Hutchison, this Poverty Row adventure film is guaranteed to please lovers of vintage movie melodrama. Veteran screen heavies Beery and Love tackle their roles with gusto. Silent-movie stalwart Walsh (whose brother Raoul was a top director) is a virile hero but it's accomplished supporting player Dorothy Burgess who rates top acting honors for her performance as the seductive dancing girl Concha, on whose actions the plot most dramatically turns.

• action
• adventure