I continue to praise the efforts of those who discover lost
movies that saw the light of day decades ago and then suddenly disappeared from
movie screens forever. Many of these movies were not blockbusters, some were
good and some bad, but all of them deserve to at least be found and for people
to have access to. Fans of those movies can rejoice in now having access to
them and those who never saw them can enjoy or frown at them as well. In the
case of THE INTRUDER I think we have one to enjoy.
The story is one used before but with a bit of a twist
before the final credits roll. A group of well to do guests are on a yacht
heading for a secluded island. Each has ties to the island’s owner, a man who
may have passed away and has now summoned them to the island to search for gold
that he discovered and hid there. Of course there doesn’t appear to be any
among them who isn’t self-centered and out to keep the gold for themselves
rather than share. When they begin to be killed one at a time they begin to
suspect one another while we are aware that there is a sinister presence on the
island with them.
It’s a simple set up and there’s a reason for that. The man
behind the movie is actor Chris Robinson who many will recall for numerous TV
series as who starred as Dr. Rick Webber on GENERAL HOSPITAL from 1980-2002. In
1975 Robinson’s brother was willing to give him $25,000 to make a movie but he
had to put it all together in a matter of weeks. Robinson put together his
script, his cast, locations and set to filming, coming in under the time
allotted. Not only did he write the screenplay he directed and starred in it as
well. To do so is a feat in itself. To make a movie that’s as good as this one
is even more so. That’s not saying its Shakespeare but it is an entertaining
slasher flick from that time period.
The film was mired in difficulties when it came time to
distribute it, something that always seems to be the downfall of independently
made movies from those days. It may have screened a few times but never received
national distribution. Before the film could even make it to home video the
only 35mm print was lost and the odds of seeing the film disappeared. Until
2012.
Harry Guerro, the owner of Garagehouse Pictures, found a
copy by chance in when he purchased a lot of films in a storage facility on the
outskirts of the Mojave dessert. Among the rusty cans of film that was
deteriorating in said building was this one. Curiosity got the better of Guerro
since he’d never heard of the film. Investigating it he discovered even less.
But through perseverance he finally found some information on the film.
Restoring it he discovered it was better than expected and digging deeper was
even able to contact Robinson who had no idea that a print even still existed.
Now Garagehouse Picture is releasing the film for the first
time on blu-ray in as cleaned up a condition as you will find. Since his
discovery they’ve even added the film to IMDB.com and added the stars who were
in the film, notable names that many would be surprised are here. Mickey Rooney
is featured the small role of the man who takes the guests to the island via
yacht. Yvonne DeCarlo is one of the guests on the island. And Ted Cassidy is
included in the cast as well. How many movies can claim to have a Munster and a
member of the Addams family in the same film?
In addition to just having the film there to enjoy it has
been transferred in 4k (note that this doesn’t mean the film grain is changed
but the print is as clean as can be expected). The sound has been remastered
digitally from the original optical tracks. The extras include an audio
commentary track by Robinson, an interesting interview with Robinson, liner
notes, new original artwork by Stephen Romano and a trailer collection of other
films offered by Garagehouse Pictures.
As I said from the start, the movie is not a mega-budgeted
million dollar film. But what it lacks in dollars it fuels with creativity,
solid production value, good acting and a story that while familiar still holds
your interest from start to finish. This movie is enjoyable enough to watch
more than once and become a welcomed addition to your movie collection. It
would make a great movie to watch during a drive-in night with friends. And it
is a lost treasure that deserves to be finally discovered.
Click here to order.
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