Back in the 1930s-40s, there sprung up an industry in Hollywood to produce B-movies. What is a B? Well, it's a short (50-70 minutes) film with low production values, lesser stars and it was intended as a second picture for a double-feature. Of course the major studios made Bs, but the need was such that some secondary studios (such as Republic and Columbia) made mostly Bs but also some A-level (feature) pictures. And, a few, such as Monogram and PRC were devoted exclusively towards making Bs and were often called 'Poverty Row Studios'...since they were making such cheap films.
Of all the Poverty Row film studios, PRC was generally among the cheapest and worst of them. While I have seen a few very good PRC films, they were definitely the exception to the rule. Most had very hastily written scripts, no-name actors and were very bad movies. As a result, my expectations for "Desperate Cargo" were very low.
The story begins on some Caribbean island. A group of criminals is planning on boarding a clipper plane in order to rob its safe (a safe on an airplane??). Unfortunately, there are other passengers whose lives might be in jeopardy. Is there any hope for the passengers? And, if the criminals are stopped...who and how will they stop them?
For a PRC film, this is pretty good stuff. The writing is only fair but the action is good and overall, it's not nearly as creaky and slow as most PRC outings.
Of all the Poverty Row film studios, PRC was generally among the cheapest and worst of them. While I have seen a few very good PRC films, they were definitely the exception to the rule. Most had very hastily written scripts, no-name actors and were very bad movies. As a result, my expectations for "Desperate Cargo" were very low.
The story begins on some Caribbean island. A group of criminals is planning on boarding a clipper plane in order to rob its safe (a safe on an airplane??). Unfortunately, there are other passengers whose lives might be in jeopardy. Is there any hope for the passengers? And, if the criminals are stopped...who and how will they stop them?
For a PRC film, this is pretty good stuff. The writing is only fair but the action is good and overall, it's not nearly as creaky and slow as most PRC outings.