Tonight's Movie: Lighthouse (1947) - A Film Masters Blu-ray Review

I first became acquainted with LIGHTHOUSE (1947) in 2023 when Jeremy Arnold introduced it as part of his "B" movie series on Turner Classic Movies.

I fell in love with this short little 62-minute romantic drama, never dreaming that one day it would be available in a nice restored Blu-ray print.

I'm happy to say that that Blu-ray release has now happened thanks to Film Masters. Over the past year or so Film Masters has also brought us interesting lesser-known DVDs and Blu-rays such as BOMBS OVER BURMA (1942) and UNDER WESTERN STARS (1938).

Indeed, a little over a year ago Film Masters released LIGHTHOUSE on DVD before now making it available on Blu-ray.

I'll mention at the outset that this is a very obscure Producers Releasing Corporation (PRC) film and the print isn't the super-pristine, sharp Blu-ray print one might expect from a major studio -- but it looks and sounds quite good, given its history, and it's such a pleasure to have this film available for home viewing.

LIGHTHOUSE is essentially a three-character drama written by Robert B. Churchill, based on an adaptation by Don Martin of his own story.

Most of the film takes place at a Pacific Coast lighthouse station accessible only by boat. The movie's interior sets are bare bones, but the script and acting maintain close viewer attention throughout.

Sam (Don Castle), the assistant lighthouse keeper to Hank (John Litel), misleads lovely Connie (June Lang) about both his job and his marital status.

Connie is so crushed to learn the truth that she marries Sam's boss Hank on the rebound. That makes things a little awkward when all three of them are living at the lighthouse.

LIGHTHOUSE is refreshingly unpredictable, as Connie comes to realize not only that Sam is a sleaze but that maybe she came out way ahead marrying Hank, who truly loves her and treats her like a queen.

June Lang is a standout as Connie, giving a natural and sympathetic performance. I really liked her, so it was a disappointment to learn this was her last film. She had been in movies since the early '30s, when she was a teenager; she very occasionally worked in television in the '50s and '60s. She passed on in 2005 at the age of 88.

Don Castle is effective as the not-such-a-nice-guy Sam. It's an interesting background note that Castle was a good friend of producer Jack Wrather and Wrather's wife, actress-producer Bonita Granville. Castle worked with them on various projects, both in front of and behind the camera, including their LASSIE TV series. His life sadly ended at age 48 due to drug use.

The same year as LIGHTHOUSE John Litel also worked with Castle on THE GUILTY (1947), a Wrather production. Litel is always a reliable performer, and he's extremely sympathetic here as Connie's devoted older suitor and then husband. The acting across the board is part of what elevates this film into a little more than a "B" or "C" level production, despite the low, low budget.

The rest of the cast is solid, including Marian Martin as Connie's friend, who pops into the story briefly here and there.

The movie was directed by Frank Wisbar and filmed in black and white by Walter Strenge. The musical score was composed by future Oscar winner Ernest Gold.

The first time I watched the movie, I found a Wikipedia entry indicating it was filmed in the San Pedro area. Since that viewing, additional information has been added to IMDb indicating the lighthouse was Angel's Gate at Los Angeles Harbor, which dated from 1913.

There are no extras on this Blu-ray disc, but it comes with chapter selections and optional English subtitles.

This film and release are recommended for those who share my love of good "B" films.

Thanks to Allied Vaughn and Film Masters for providing a review copy of this Blu-ray. It may be purchased via Movie Zyng, Amazon, and other online retailers.

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