ISLE OF DESTINY

Cinemavixion Review

Elmer Clifton's 1940 adventure "Isle of Destiny" plunges viewers into a tale of peril and intrigue on the high seas. Starring William Gargan, Wallace Ford, and June Lang, the film follows Virginia Allerton, an aviatrix whose world-altering flight takes an unexpected detour to the Pacific isle of Palo Pango. What begins as a visit to her stationed brother quickly devolves into a dangerous entanglement with a local smuggler, Barton. Virginia finds herself trapped in his gun-smuggling operation and subsequently wrecked on a remote island. The ensuing rescue mission, undertaken by Marines "Stripes" Thornton and "Milly" Barnes, is fraught with the exotic dangers of the tropics, including the venomous machinations of Barton's jealous native wife, Inda, who wields poison darts with deadly intent. While the film may not boast major accolades, its earnest B-movie charm and classic adventure tropes offer a diverting glimpse into early Hollywood's fascination with exotic locales and daring escapes.