What was the working title(s) for Terror Island:

• [A] Salvage
• [B] The Isle [Island]of Hate
• [C] Deep Sea Loot
• [D] Houdini: Terror on the Magic Isle

Let’s explore each of the possible answers.

[A] Camera! The digest of the motion picture industry (Los Angeles California October 18,1919) mentions:

Houdini is well under way on his second thriller for Famous Players-Lasky, under the direction of James Cruze.  “Salvage” is the working title.

Exhibitors Herald (Dec 13, 1919) mentions:

“Terror Island” is the title selected for Houdini’s second mystery picture for Paramount-Artcraft, filmed under the working title, “Salvage”.

[B] Motion Picture News (Nov 8, 1919) mentions:

On his arrival at Hollywood, Mr. Lasky found the studio active with new productions including … “The Isle of Hate” (a working title) , with Houdini, etc.

[C] Letter addressed to Lasky Studios (Nov 2, 1919) while filming in Riverside CA, Houdini mentions:  

I am doing underwater swimming for my “deep sea loot” story.

And Catalina Islander Newspaper (Nov 25, 1919) mentions:

The working title of the picture, said Mr. Houdini, is Salvage or Deep Sea Loot.

[A][B] The Paramount Terror Island Stills Collection mentions:

Former Titles were “Island of Hate” and “Salvage”

And the Paramount Terror Island Scripts Collection has a synopsis that mentions:

“S A L V A G E.” (Temporary Title).

and cost sheets that mention:

SAVAGE was the original title and Terror Island was the released title. ISLAND OF HATE is handwritten on one of the cost sheets.

[A][B] and [C] “Salvage” and “Island of Hate” are documented in the Paramount files and the newspapers and “Deep Sea Loot” appears to come from Houdini Himself via letters and interviews.

[D] While not a working title for the movie, “Houdini: Terror on the Magic Isle”, is the title of a special exhibition at the Catalina Island Museum which runs May 5 to Sept. 23, 2018.

The museum will also host a special screening of Terror Island in Catalina’s spectacular Art Deco Avalon Casino Theater on Saturday, May 19th at 1:00 PM. The screening will include live musical accompaniment by Michael Mortilla and The Accompanists. Tickets are available now.

Related:

• Houdini in Riverside
• Deep Sea Loot 1919