"Harbor of Missing Men" is one of those small films that are no longer made, but many of us wish they were. Directed by R.G.Springsteen, no relation to the Boss as far as I know, it is tight, tidy and has no useless trim. It tells the tale of a hard knuckle guy, who's used to dealing with gun runners, but this time his load of illicit firearms is stolen so what's a sort of hero to do? He "takes it on the lam, Lefty" as they used to say way back in the day. That guy is "Brooklyn" Gannon ably played by B movie stalwart Richard Denning. Gannon ends up hiding with a family of Greek fishermen and sponge divers down the Floridian coast. The family is headed by Steven Geray who played every possible nationality even though he was from Hungary. This fisherman's daughter is played by Barbara Fuller who was once married to cowboy actor Lash LaRue and the main nasty is ably played by George Zucco who was one of the screen's meanest. The movie is filled with some of Republic's best "B" players and it gives the viewer what they want and does it as only many of the 60 minute companion features could. Nobody said "There's no such thing as no such thing", but this is the kind of flick that could and get away with it.
5 Reviews
Starts Out... And Changes
boblipton30 January 2020
At first I thought I was looking at an uncredited remake of TO HAVE AND TO HAVE NOT. Richard Denning runs a boat out of Key West that takes guys out fishing for tarpon.his assistant, called 'Rummy' isn't Walter Brennan, but Percy Helton. Soon, however, it turns out that he is a part of a smuggling operation. George Zucco hires him for a spot of gun running. When he drops off the gums and picks up the money, however, there Zucco's secretary, Barbara Fuller and a dangerous-looking man, there to make sure he doesn't run off with Zucco's money. An hour out of the Key, however, they take the money and throw Denning overboard to drown.
Instead, he's picked up by a boat of Greek-American sponge divers. They take him back to their home in Tarpon Springs, where he falls in love with the family's daughter, Aline Towne. However, there are bad people looking for him: Zucco, who thinks Denning has run off with his money, and Miss Fuller and friend, who don't want him found.
There are some oddities in the screenplay. Denning's character is nicknamed 'Brooklyn'. Although we're supposed to believe he comes from the Borough of Churches, he seems never to have heard of Christianity before.
Nonetheless, it's a good, if derivative movie. Director R.G. Springsteen, who usually helmed westerns, gets nice performances out of his actors, and cinematographer John MacBurnie shoots in a nice mix of noirish lighting and sun-dappled underwater photography.
Although this Republic production was not meant to win any awards, it's a good mix for a second feature, with a mix of excitement, romance and warmth that makes mid-century films interesting for people who enjoy a well-told yarn.
Instead, he's picked up by a boat of Greek-American sponge divers. They take him back to their home in Tarpon Springs, where he falls in love with the family's daughter, Aline Towne. However, there are bad people looking for him: Zucco, who thinks Denning has run off with his money, and Miss Fuller and friend, who don't want him found.
There are some oddities in the screenplay. Denning's character is nicknamed 'Brooklyn'. Although we're supposed to believe he comes from the Borough of Churches, he seems never to have heard of Christianity before.
Nonetheless, it's a good, if derivative movie. Director R.G. Springsteen, who usually helmed westerns, gets nice performances out of his actors, and cinematographer John MacBurnie shoots in a nice mix of noirish lighting and sun-dappled underwater photography.
Although this Republic production was not meant to win any awards, it's a good mix for a second feature, with a mix of excitement, romance and warmth that makes mid-century films interesting for people who enjoy a well-told yarn.
Watchable Republic Pictures low Renter.
gordonl5631 March 2015
Warning: Spoilers
HARBOR OF MISSING MEN – 1950
This is another one of those REPUBLIC PICTURE programmers made for the bottom of the double feature. They were also a staple on various late night television venues.
In this one we have charter boat Captain, Richard Denning, doing a spot of smuggling while taking customers out Marlin fishing. He is making a bit of extra change running stolen jewels into Florida.
Denning's business takes a turn for the worse when he his grabbed up by several large gentlemen with a definite anti-social bent. They escort Denning to see gangster, George Zucco. Zucco has a sideline shipping illegal weapons to South America for a tidy profit. Zucco needs a new boat to deliver a shipment of guns to a freighter out past the 10 mile limit. Zucco tells Denning there is a cool 2000 bucks in it for him for one night's work.
Denning agrees to the deal. Zucco tells him he will also pick up the 30,000 dollar payoff from the freighter's Captain. Everything seems to go like clockwork. The guns are loaded on the waiting freighter and the cash changes hands. However, there is a slight change. Onboard the ship is Zucco's secretary, Barbara Fuller, and her brother, Ray Teal. They tell Denning that they are there to make sure the deal went off without a hitch. Denning is to take them back to town with him.
Needless to say there is something wrong with this picture. Half way through the trip back, Teal pulls a piece and relieves Denning of the envelope of cash. He administers a belt to Denning's noggin and tosses him overboard. Denning though is only slightly dazed, and does not drown.
Several hours later a small fishing boat comes along and Denning manages to flag the boat down. He is hauled on board by a bunch of Greek sponge fisherman. They are heading up the coast to their home port after several weeks out. Denning goes along figuring it will be safer there than back home. He is sure that Zucco had arranged the rub out by Fuller and Teal.
The leader of the sponge fishermen, Steven Geray, welcomes Denning into his home and puts him to work on the boat. Denning goes gaga over Geray's daughter, Aline Towne. He quickly puts the moves on the sweet thing and they more or less become an item.
Denning now decides to get on the horn and get the "30 large" problem settled with Zucco. He calls but gets Fuller instead. Fuller of course is not amused with the fact Denning survived the deep six attempt. It turns out that Fuller and her brother, Teal had pulled the job on their own, without Zucco's knowledge.
The brother and sister act soon track down Denning, and Teal makes another play for Denning. He empties his pistol into a café phone booth Denning is using, then, he beats the feet out of town. Denning though, is one lucky duck, and escapes the attack with only a leg wound.
Now Denning is really annoyed, He heals up for several weeks then takes Geray's boat back down the coast. He intends to settle the matter one way or another. He calls up Zucco again, and this time gets through to the man. He tells Zucco that he can get back his 30 grand. He tells Zucco to bring Miss Fuller and meet him at the dock. Fuller is of course somewhat reluctant to go. She makes a quick call to warn Teal.
Zucco shows with Miss Fuller in tow. They board Denning's boat and head off shore. Denning tells Zucco about the night of the gun delivery and how Fuller and Teal had taken the cash. Zucco is needless to say, less than amused with the fast one Fuller and company pulled. He yards a piece to take care of Miss Fuller. Now Teal pops up out of the boat's cabin. It seems he had beaten everyone to the boat after being warned by his dear sister. He also has a gun, and rounds are exchanged between Zucco and Teal.
Zucco goes down and then there is a free for all between Denning and thug, Teal. Fuller now also yards a weapon, and fires, she however hits Teal by mistake, putting him down for the count. Fuller is quickly tackled and the boat returns to port and a visit to the local Police. Denning is soon on his way back up the coast and into the arms of the pretty Miss Towne.
While a lightweight film for sure, it does supply more than enough action and tension for the low budget programmer fan. George Zucco is always a hoot to see in anything. Barbara Fuller and Ray Teal are quite good as not so effective would be killers. Denning gives his usual solid performance and as an added bonus, Percy Helton shows up in a small role.
The director, REPUBLIC regular, R.G. Springsteen, cranked out several watchable low rent crime/film noir such as, SECRET SERVICE INVESTIGATOR, THE RED MEANCE, STREET BANDITS, WHEN GANGLAND STRIKES and REVOLT IN THE BIG HOUSE.
Handling the director of photography chores is equally long serving Republic staple, John MacBurnie. MacBurnie started out on serials like, RADAR MEN FROM THE MOON, CAPTAIN America, JESSE JAMES RIDES AGAIN and THE BLACK WIDOW. He then moved on to B-westerns and low rent crime and film noir. These include, SECRET SERVICE INVESTIGATOR, HIDEOUT, THE RED MEANCE, FEDERAL AGENT AT LARGE, POST OFFICE INVESTIGATOR, MISSING WOMEN and INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR. Several of these like, HIDEOUT, POST OFFICE INVESTIGATOR and INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR are quite nifty low renters.
This is another one of those REPUBLIC PICTURE programmers made for the bottom of the double feature. They were also a staple on various late night television venues.
In this one we have charter boat Captain, Richard Denning, doing a spot of smuggling while taking customers out Marlin fishing. He is making a bit of extra change running stolen jewels into Florida.
Denning's business takes a turn for the worse when he his grabbed up by several large gentlemen with a definite anti-social bent. They escort Denning to see gangster, George Zucco. Zucco has a sideline shipping illegal weapons to South America for a tidy profit. Zucco needs a new boat to deliver a shipment of guns to a freighter out past the 10 mile limit. Zucco tells Denning there is a cool 2000 bucks in it for him for one night's work.
Denning agrees to the deal. Zucco tells him he will also pick up the 30,000 dollar payoff from the freighter's Captain. Everything seems to go like clockwork. The guns are loaded on the waiting freighter and the cash changes hands. However, there is a slight change. Onboard the ship is Zucco's secretary, Barbara Fuller, and her brother, Ray Teal. They tell Denning that they are there to make sure the deal went off without a hitch. Denning is to take them back to town with him.
Needless to say there is something wrong with this picture. Half way through the trip back, Teal pulls a piece and relieves Denning of the envelope of cash. He administers a belt to Denning's noggin and tosses him overboard. Denning though is only slightly dazed, and does not drown.
Several hours later a small fishing boat comes along and Denning manages to flag the boat down. He is hauled on board by a bunch of Greek sponge fisherman. They are heading up the coast to their home port after several weeks out. Denning goes along figuring it will be safer there than back home. He is sure that Zucco had arranged the rub out by Fuller and Teal.
The leader of the sponge fishermen, Steven Geray, welcomes Denning into his home and puts him to work on the boat. Denning goes gaga over Geray's daughter, Aline Towne. He quickly puts the moves on the sweet thing and they more or less become an item.
Denning now decides to get on the horn and get the "30 large" problem settled with Zucco. He calls but gets Fuller instead. Fuller of course is not amused with the fact Denning survived the deep six attempt. It turns out that Fuller and her brother, Teal had pulled the job on their own, without Zucco's knowledge.
The brother and sister act soon track down Denning, and Teal makes another play for Denning. He empties his pistol into a café phone booth Denning is using, then, he beats the feet out of town. Denning though, is one lucky duck, and escapes the attack with only a leg wound.
Now Denning is really annoyed, He heals up for several weeks then takes Geray's boat back down the coast. He intends to settle the matter one way or another. He calls up Zucco again, and this time gets through to the man. He tells Zucco that he can get back his 30 grand. He tells Zucco to bring Miss Fuller and meet him at the dock. Fuller is of course somewhat reluctant to go. She makes a quick call to warn Teal.
Zucco shows with Miss Fuller in tow. They board Denning's boat and head off shore. Denning tells Zucco about the night of the gun delivery and how Fuller and Teal had taken the cash. Zucco is needless to say, less than amused with the fast one Fuller and company pulled. He yards a piece to take care of Miss Fuller. Now Teal pops up out of the boat's cabin. It seems he had beaten everyone to the boat after being warned by his dear sister. He also has a gun, and rounds are exchanged between Zucco and Teal.
Zucco goes down and then there is a free for all between Denning and thug, Teal. Fuller now also yards a weapon, and fires, she however hits Teal by mistake, putting him down for the count. Fuller is quickly tackled and the boat returns to port and a visit to the local Police. Denning is soon on his way back up the coast and into the arms of the pretty Miss Towne.
While a lightweight film for sure, it does supply more than enough action and tension for the low budget programmer fan. George Zucco is always a hoot to see in anything. Barbara Fuller and Ray Teal are quite good as not so effective would be killers. Denning gives his usual solid performance and as an added bonus, Percy Helton shows up in a small role.
The director, REPUBLIC regular, R.G. Springsteen, cranked out several watchable low rent crime/film noir such as, SECRET SERVICE INVESTIGATOR, THE RED MEANCE, STREET BANDITS, WHEN GANGLAND STRIKES and REVOLT IN THE BIG HOUSE.
Handling the director of photography chores is equally long serving Republic staple, John MacBurnie. MacBurnie started out on serials like, RADAR MEN FROM THE MOON, CAPTAIN America, JESSE JAMES RIDES AGAIN and THE BLACK WIDOW. He then moved on to B-westerns and low rent crime and film noir. These include, SECRET SERVICE INVESTIGATOR, HIDEOUT, THE RED MEANCE, FEDERAL AGENT AT LARGE, POST OFFICE INVESTIGATOR, MISSING WOMEN and INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR. Several of these like, HIDEOUT, POST OFFICE INVESTIGATOR and INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR are quite nifty low renters.
Tarpon Springs, of all places, is mentioned.
planktonrules4 May 2021
Brooklyn (Richard Denning) is a charter boat captain out of Key West. In addition to the money he gets from charters, he supplements it by doing a little bit of smuggling. When a local mobster, Danzinger (George Zucco), approaches him with a proposition to make BIG money, he jumps at the chance. However, transporting these guns to Cuba turns out to be a big mistake...and the folks take the guns...and the money...and the boat. As for Brooklyn, he jumps into the Gulf and eventually he's picked up by a sponge diving boat bound for Tarpon Springs. Only later does Brooklyn realize that Danzinger's secretary is behind the theft and getting to Danzinger to tell him what happened seems impossible. The secretary and her partner want to kill him to shut him up and Danzinger thinks he's a thief and wants to shoot him!
While this film was made in Hollywood, it is set in Florida and I happen to live pretty close to Tarpon Springs. It's still a Greek sponge diving community (albeit far more commercial now than back in 1950) and they STILL jump into the harbor to retrieve the cross at Epiphany....just like they do in the movie...though the divers are normally just teens. It makes for a nice bit of local color in the film. And, for me, this is reason enough to watch the film.
So is it any good? Yes....not great but watchable and enjoyable. It's hardly a must-see but if you like B action pictures, it's pretty good.
If you want to see more about Tarpon Springs, it's also the subject in the films "16 Fathoms Deep" and "Beneath the 12 Mile Reef".
While this film was made in Hollywood, it is set in Florida and I happen to live pretty close to Tarpon Springs. It's still a Greek sponge diving community (albeit far more commercial now than back in 1950) and they STILL jump into the harbor to retrieve the cross at Epiphany....just like they do in the movie...though the divers are normally just teens. It makes for a nice bit of local color in the film. And, for me, this is reason enough to watch the film.
So is it any good? Yes....not great but watchable and enjoyable. It's hardly a must-see but if you like B action pictures, it's pretty good.
If you want to see more about Tarpon Springs, it's also the subject in the films "16 Fathoms Deep" and "Beneath the 12 Mile Reef".
Pleasant time-filler from the republic known as Republic.
mark.waltz10 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The great thing about movies from Monogram, PRC, Republic and other poverty row / B studios is that on a windy or rainy day, you can sit back and watch a good half-dozen or more of them. At only an hour long (some less due to TV broadcast editing), they are fast-moving, action-packed, and often very funny. Character actors home you've seen a million times pop up in small roles, and they get away with subject matters that the A studios couldn't even attempt.
This film deals with small boat captain Richard Denning hired by gangster George Zucco to smuggle money out of the country, and his life is endangered when he is robbed and believed by zuko to have absconded with it. In reality, Zucco's own secretary, Barbara Fuller was responsible, and when Denning begins to call her at the office, she panics in her efforts to keep Zucco from knowing whom she's talking to. this leads to a tense conclusion when all of the parties are gathered together with predictable results, but oh what fun getting there it is.
Veteran character actor Percy Helton is memorable as Denning's sidekick, and Stephen Geray, who often played villains, is memorable as another boater home getting three friends. Aline Towne plays Denning's girlfriend who waits patiently for his dangerous mission to be completed. This is predictable but fun, and Fuller is a unique femme fatale.
This film deals with small boat captain Richard Denning hired by gangster George Zucco to smuggle money out of the country, and his life is endangered when he is robbed and believed by zuko to have absconded with it. In reality, Zucco's own secretary, Barbara Fuller was responsible, and when Denning begins to call her at the office, she panics in her efforts to keep Zucco from knowing whom she's talking to. this leads to a tense conclusion when all of the parties are gathered together with predictable results, but oh what fun getting there it is.
Veteran character actor Percy Helton is memorable as Denning's sidekick, and Stephen Geray, who often played villains, is memorable as another boater home getting three friends. Aline Towne plays Denning's girlfriend who waits patiently for his dangerous mission to be completed. This is predictable but fun, and Fuller is a unique femme fatale.
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