This movie was released by PRC--clearly a so-called 'poverty row studio'. This nickname was given to the low-end studios--that were really studios in name only and were more like the minor leagues of the film industry. Instead of owning their own production space, most of these production companies rented space on the lots of major studios and shot their pictures at night! That's why most films by PRC and other smaller outfits are shot entirely on sound stages where you have no idea if it's day or night. As for PRC specifically, most of their films had abysmally small budgets and poor writing--though a few decent actors like George Zucco or Lionel Atwill worked for them as well as the big studios. Fortunately, both of these actors who specialized in suspense and horror films were here together in "Fog Island"--a film about revenge.Zucco had been ruined financially many years before and even went to prison for this. However, he blames his 'friends' for this predicament, as many of them testified against him or abandoned their friendship with him when his legal troubles began. Inexplicably, years later they actually agree to see him again...here on isolated Fog Island. Frankly, I just can't see why they would come--especially since it seems pretty obvious their lives might be endangered. However, from where the danger came took my by surprise, as it turns out Zucco is NOT the only madman--but he WILL have his revenge. What exactly happens next actually had a few surprises and made the most of the tiny PRC budget. While not a great film, it was very enjoyable and worth seeing--especially if you are a fan of this sort of thing...which I sure am.

A modestly crisp, but unspectacular black/white low-budget murder-mystery / revenge yarn (adapted of the stage play "Angel Island") with certain horror elements.After being framed and serving time in prison. Leo invites a group of people (old work buddies) to his secluded mansion on an island to seek revenge and single out the one who killed his wife. The temptation is there for the group, as hints are given to a possible hidden fortune to be found if they stay over the weekend.The old dark, creaky house set-up is made to good use as it's implanted on an remote foggy island (which the mist could play out like a metaphor for the growing unease and not knowing what lays ahead for these guests) and the involving material stays calculative. Moments tend to get blurry, but it's an interesting setting has above-average looking production. Sometimes the pace can flounder and the script gets dubious, but a strong cast (led admirably by a neurotic George Zucco, headstrong Lionel Atwill and classy Veda Ann Borg) seem to rise for the occasion. Director Terry O. Morse ('Unknown World (1951) 'and the American version 'Godzilla, King of the Monsters (1954) ') demonstrates a serviceable slow-burn style and lets the odd assortment of possibilities play out with well-placed suspense. Karl Hajos' moodily potent score seems to suit the growing actions and atmosphere rather well.Simple, but amusingly staged b-fodder.

Fog Island is a rather creepy little chiller from B-movie specialists PRC.A man who lives in a creepy mansion with his step-daughter on a small island shrouded in fog invites some of his friends to stay. This mansion has hidden extras including secret passages and hidden doorways. The man also gives each of his "friends" strange little gifts including a skull, a key and a times table book. This man has a reason for all this though and strange things start happening...This movie is quite creepy and atmospheric even though a little slow moving at times.The cast includes horror B-movie regulars George Zucco (The Flying Serpent, Scared To Death) and Lionel Atwill (The Vampire Bat, House of Dracula).Fog Island is worth a look at. Not too bad.Rating: 3 stars out of 5.

This crime/mystery drama is pretty murky in a number of respects, but it holds your interest most of the time with a tense and rather complicated story. George Zucco and Lionel Atwill are right at home in this kind of material, and the rest of the cast is solid if unspectacular.The setup has Zucco as an ex-convict who has a mysterious home on "Fog Island", to which he lures an assortment of persons whom he holds responsible for framing him and for killing his wife. Zucco is convincing as a half-mad plotter, and although parts of his plan remain obscure or confusing, it's interesting in that his approach to revenge is not the usual one of direct confrontation.Atwill and Veda Ann Borg are the liveliest of the supporting characters. John Whitney and Sharon Douglas are at least likable, but they are too plain to arouse much interest in their characters, who are significant to the story.The fog and darkness that dominate the settings help to hide the low-budget production, and they also help in setting the atmosphere of confusion and distrust. There are a fair number of interesting moments, and although it doesn't all fit together as well as it could have, it's a fairly interesting offbeat feature of its kind.