Walter Brooke

A low-budget horror thriller written and directed by Ralph Brooke, based without attribution on Richard Connell's 1924 short story "The Most Dangerous Game." Four young adults boat to a remote tropical island, where they discover the estate of Dr. Albert Balleau (Wilton Graff), a sadistic hunter who has grown bored with stalking animals and now collects human trophies. Balleau gives his captives a head start before hunting them with bow and arrow through the jungle. Filmed in 1959 at Screencraft Studios but not released until 1961 on a double bill with The Devil's Hand, the film is a threadbare but atmospheric retelling of the oft-adapted story. The film is in the public domain.

Horror · Thriller

When his best friend is murdered while pursuing jewel smugglers, U.S. customs agent Cliff Holden (Dean Jagger) takes over the case, flying to Europe to board the same return flight as the chief suspect and following the trail back to a New York gang. John Carradine co-stars as the suave Doc Spencer. Shot almost entirely on New York City locations, C-Man has the gritty, documentary-style look of the independent noirs director Joseph Lerner made with his wife and producing partner Geraldine. The film was produced by Laurel Films and distributed by Film Classics, and is in the public domain.

Noir · Crime · Drama