''Buried Alive'' is a 1939 film directed by

Victor Halperin Victor Hugo Halperin (August 24, 1895 in Chicago, Illinois – May 17, 1983 in Bentonville, Arkansas) was an American stage actor, stage director, film director, film producer, producer, and writer. The majority of his works involved romance film ...

Production

After finishing ''

Torture Ship ''Torture Ship'' is a 1939 American science fiction horror film directed by Victor Halperin, based on Jack London's 1899 short story " A Thousand Deaths". The film stars Lyle Talbot as a mad scientist who performs experiments regarding "the crimi ...

'', director

started production on his next film ''Buried Alive''. The film began shooting in the first half of October 1939 for Producer's Pictures Corporation. Actor Clem Wilenchick (aka

Crane Whitley Crane or cranes may refer to: Common meanings * Crane (bird), a large, long-necked bird * Crane (machine), industrial machinery for lifting ** Crane (rail), a crane suited for use on railroads People and fictional characters * Crane (surname), ...

) was scheduled to play the character of Manning, but as the shooting began he was replaced by

Wheeler Oakman Wheeler Oakman (born Vivian Eichelberger; February 21, 1890 – March 19, 1949) was an American film actor. Early years Oakman was born as Vivian Eichelberger in Washington, D.C., and educated in that city's schools. He grew up in Fairfax, Virg ...

. The Call Bureau Cast Service initially mentioned that

Archie Twitchell Archie Raymond Twitchell (November 28, 1906 – January 31, 1957) was a pilot for over three decades between the 1920s and the 1950s. He also had a second profession as a movie actor. He was a captain in the US Army Air Force. He was killed ...

would portray Carson, and was replaced by Dave O'Brien.

Release

''Buried Alive'' was distributed theatrically by Producers Pictures Corp. on November 6, 1939.

Reception

The Film Daily ''The Film Daily'' was a daily publication that existed from 1918 to 1970 in the United States. It was the first daily newspaper published solely for the film industry. It covered the latest trade news, film reviews, financial updates, informatio ...

'' found the film "falls short of being a convincing drama. It will probably be okay as program material in the smalle nabe houses" but found Halperin's direction merely "O.K." ''

Variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...

'' declared the film "Inferior all the way, particularly in its direction and playing, outside of

Beverly Roberts Beverly Louise Roberts (May 19, 1914 – July 13, 2009) was an American film and stage actress of the 1930s, as well as a singer and painter. She worked as business executive in the entertainment industry through the 1970s. Career Born in Bro ...

". A critic from ''

The New York Post The ''New York Post'' (''NY Post'') is a conservative daily tabloid newspaper published in New York City. The ''Post'' also operates NYPost.com, the celebrity gossip site PageSix.com, and the entertainment site Decider.com. It was established ...

'' declared the film "so bad it seems almost like a new experience. Judging from the quality of most of the acting and direction, I should guess that it was a quickie film originally scheduled for six days' shooting but shortened to four" and concluded that "''Buried Alive'' heads the January mustn't list."

References

Sources

External links

* {{Victor Halperin 1930s English-language films American black-and-white films Films directed by Victor Halperin