This illustration is by Saul Tepper, a prolific illustrator (and songwriter!) who was an excellent choice for the material. Unfortunately so much of the image is lost to the layout.
The selling point here would have been Robert Louis Stevenson. Movies based on classic books by big name authors were all the rage and this was the first time, as it points out, that the TREASURE ISLAND author's supposed favorite of his works had hit the screen.
Warner Baxter, quintessentially American, seems odd casting in spite of the legend under his name on the poster, but young and popular Freddie Bartholomew, who had already made a career out of these classics adaptations, was a real draw.
Newcomer Arleen Whelan, another American, worked for about 25 years but generally under the radar. She had been discovered by a director as a manicurist and brought to the attention of Darryl Zanuck who decided to make her a star! Knowing what we know now about that sort of thing--and a bout Zanuck--you wonder.
Beyond that, though the best of the Hollywood British colony were trotted out to fill the roles in this Scottish boys' adventure story.
Direction was by Alfred Wexler who had done the prestigious but now forgotten HOUSE OF ROTHSCHILD. That and the fact that no less than four writers are listed are not exactly selling points. When that many are needed to adapt a simple, classic story, you know they've messed with it quite a bit.
The Verdict? Would this ad have made me want to see the movie? Close...but no.
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