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Made in Key West Escape From Hell Island In late 1962, The Key West Citizen ran a banner headline proclaiming "Film Industry Planned." The accompanying article told of a group of Key West businessmen forming the Key West Film Company, with plans to develop an ongoing film industry here. President of the company was Joe Sirugo, builder and owner of the Islander Drive-In theatre. (Above, left to right, front row - Joe Sirugo, Vincent Caselles, Norman D. Artman, Joe Allen; back row, Mayor C. B. Harvey, Thomas Swicegood, W. Curry Harris and Ed Knight.) Capitalization was underway and the first production had been selected "The Man in the Water," a novel by Robert Sheckley adapted for the screen by Key West native Swicegood. Mr. Swicegood would also serve as co-producer with Miamian Jim Doherty. Director and star would be B-movie veteran Mark Stevens. The article went on to recommend investment in the venture, though it hastened to add that such an investment was on speculation and that the paper did "NOT suggest that this is a safe investment for persons of limited means who require safety and security above other considerations." Shares in Key West Films were sold at $1500 each, with the total capitalization to be capped at $103,000. Enough investors stepped forward that pre-production could begin. Swicegood and Doherty went to work. More monies were raised. Publicity was constant. A call went out to find a leading lady and a contest was held. The winner was Edna Toppino, wife of contractor Paul Toppino and a native-born Key Wester. Unfortunately, Mrs. Toppino took ill and had to drop out of the project just a few days before filming was to start. At least, that was the "official" story in reality, the fiery Key West Latina's macho Italian husband didn't want her kissing a handsome Hollywood star, even if it was make-believe. Her replacement, "Linda Scott," was known to her fellow Navy wives as Anne Rouzer (see her on the poster on Page 8.) Originally from Sanford, Florida, she was now in Key West with her husband, Harry, while he was stationed here. (During filming, Harry Rouzer served as stunt double for star Mark Stevens.) The plot concerns a Key West charter boat captain persuaded to help smuggle Cuban refugees to Florida. After picking up the refugees (including the stereotypical "beautiful young woman" and "jealous, psychotic husband,") the boat is chased by Cuban gunners. Returning to Key West, a classic love triangle develops. The husband promises the boat captain he'll give up his wife if only the captain will take him to Bermuda. Of course, this is merely his excuse to create an opportunity to murder the captain. On the way to Bermuda, a fight ensues between the two men and the captain goes overboard. But our hero won't be daunted after floating in the water for hours, he reboards the boat and kills the husband. At movie's end, the captain and beautiful wife return to Key West. Filming took place around the island (mostly on the water, but with a fight scene shot at Sloppy Joe's) during two weeks in March of 1963. In June of that year, a sneak preview was held at the Islander Drive-In garnering mixed reviews from the local audience. In an effort to punch up the appeal of the film, its title was changed to Escape from Cuba. Swicegood and Doherty searched for a distributor, and the film was picked up by Crown International Pictures well known for its success in booking double bills in second-run movie houses and at drive-ins. But Crown International didn't like the title, saying the word "Cuba" was a negative (1963 remember?), and changed it to Escape from Hell Island. They coupled the film with another entitled Carnival of Crime, and started booking the two films into theatres (in the South, Escape from Hell Island would top the bill in the rest of the country the order would be reversed.) Escape from Hell Island premiered in Key West on May 22, 1964 at the San Carlos, with a star-studded reception following at the Pirate House on Elizabeth Street. The film simultaneously opened in 64 other Florida theatres. Everything was coming up roses for Key West Film Company and its fledgling industry. Then, what happened? No record can be found of box office figures, and repeated attempts to contact Crown International Pictures came to naught. |
