Return to Treasure Island

Here is a contemporary sequel to Robert Louis Stevenson's classic "Treasure Island" (1883). We begin with a brief flashback to the 1700s, which serves to link the old treasure map to the present. In 1954, the map is in the possession of beautiful Dawn Addams (as Jamesina "Jamie" Hawkins), a direct descendant of "Jim Hawkins" (the original story's young hero). The map's worth is suddenly realized, leading to the titular return. On the island, Ms. Addams meets handsome archaeologist Tab Hunter (as Clive Stone)...

Mr. Hunter is also the story's star and narrator. He shaves off his beard for Addams (and keeps his shirt off for viewers). She keeps her shirt on, except for a brief bath scene (which is modestly shot for the viewer). The attractive couple kiss and hold hands while battling Porter Hall (as Maximillian "Maxie" Harris) and his sadistic blind henchman James Seay (as Felix Newman). Everyone wants the treasure. Directed by veteran E.A. DuPont, this production relies mostly on the attractiveness of Hunter and Addams.

*** Return to Treasure Island (6/30/54) E.A. DuPont ~ Tab Hunter, Dawn Addams, Porter Hall, James Seay

The Tab Hunter/Dawn Addams "Return to Treasure Island" (1954) is mildly entertaining, but banish all notions that it has anything to do with 1930s Hollywood swashbucklers. This low-budget flick used to appear on TV, but it has not made it to DVD (or even VHS, as far as I know). It disappeared from TV long ago, perhaps partly because of a scene in which Dawn Addams is tied to a tree and whipped to make her reveal some information (probably the whereabouts of the treasure, but I don't remember—I haven't seen this picture for decades).

Note that another (much better known) 1954 film, with Robert Newton as Long John Silver, now goes by the same title. I believe it was originally simply "Long John Silver." This is the picture whose DVD cover erroneously appears on the IMDb.com page.

Note: I see that IMDb has corrected the graphic. (Wow, nine years have flown by.)

Pretty awful picture. A descendant of Jack Hawkins named Jamie Hawkins (played by lovely Dawn Addams) is tricked into revealing where some hidden loot is hidden on a desert island. There happens to be hunky shirtless Clive Stone (Tab Hunter). She and him try to find the treasure and battle the bad guys.

The color is nice, Addams is beautiful and Hunter is hot...but the picture is TERRIBLE! It's slow, boring and horrendously acted. Even Hunter himself hates it! In his autobiography he says it's abysmal and a stinker and his acting was terrible. Even his MOTHER said it was bad! There's also a mildly kinky scene where Addams is tied to a tree and briefly whipped--but her shirt is on and no marks are shown. This type of picture was popular in the 1950s--it played as the second feature of double bills everywhere. Some patient kids might enjoy this but aside from the lovely color, Addams beauty and Hunter shirtless there's little here to enjoy. A 1 all the way.

Return To Treasure Island was the farewell film for noted character actor Porter Hall. But aside from a chance for Hall to play one of his sniveling rat villain type characters once more and for Tab Hunter to go around bare chested for most of the film there's not much else to recommend this film.

Hunter also narrates the film from flashback, he's a graduate student and his contention is that there's more treasure to be found on Treasure Island. The famous Robert Louis Stevenson novel is treated as a factual account of a voyage. He interests a descendent of Jim Hawkins played by Dawn Addams in taking a look for some more. There is also a flashback showing Captain Flint coming back to bury some more so we know this to be true.

Unfortunately they also interest some greedy villains like Hall, like the blind James Seay who has his own gang of pirates 20th century style.

Hunter looks fabulous, Addams who is scantily clad herself look pretty good, something for everyone's prurient interest. Too bad they weren't provided with a decent story and the acting is amateurish.

Hunter did have sex appeal though. Otherwise this film would have sunk his career without a trace.

The best thing about this film is the young, lovely Dawn Addams. As you read earlier, she is a direct descendant of Jim Hawkins, and along with a young Tab Hunter, follows a map that will lead her to the treasure.

Bad guys are in the mix, too. Our young heroine is captured by the bullies and whipped to make her tell where the map is. She refuses and must now figure a way to escape their clutches.

A typical B movie shot in color,it was released to 1954 audiences at a time when this type of fare was quite popular. B movies were a staple of Hollywood up until about the late 1950s.

If you can find it, it will take you back to a good time in moviedom.