Hell Harbor
About Hell Harbor
Anita Morgan wants off her Caribbean island and onto a boat for Havana. Her father, who claims the pirate Henry Morgan as an ancestor, is in debt and promises her to the moneylender Joseph Horngold. She falls for Bob Wade, an American buying pearls. She learns the men around Horngold mean to trick Bob and kill him, and she tries to get him away so the two of them can reach Havana.
Cast & crew
More about Hell Harbor
Henry King directed and produced. Fred de Gresac, Clarke Silvernail, and Brewster Morse wrote the script from Rida Johnson Young's 1925 novel Out of the Night. United Artists released it on 15 March 1930. Lloyd Nosler edited. Lupe Vélez plays Anita. Jean Hersholt plays Horngold. John Holland plays Bob. Gibson Gowland plays her father.
Themes
Background
A pre-Code island melodrama, released in March 1930.
Look
John P. Fulton, Robert M. Haas, and Mack Stengler photographed the Caribbean locations.
Music
Music credits are Harvey Allen, Gene Berten, the Sexteto Habanero, and Ernesto Lecuona.
Notes
- Harry Allen plays Peg Leg. Al St. John plays Bunion. Paul E. Burns plays Blinky. George Bookasta plays Spotty.
- The published synopsis identifies Horngold as a Jewish moneylender.
- A New York Times notice ran under the heading "The Girl and the Pearls.
Scenes
- Anita's father bargains her to Horngold.
- She learns Bob is to be cheated and killed.
- She tries to get him off the island for Havana.
Influenced by
- Rida Johnson Young's novel Out of the Night (1925)
Also available
- Wikimedia Commons (Hell Harbor (1930).webm)
