Back in the time before slice'n dice and gratuitous violence dominated the screen, the action adventure had its day. These were usually short films and focused on a family situation where the bad guys were about to take the family enterprise and the hero steps in and saves the day. This film is one of these, where scoundrels are set to take the family fishing boat and the son comes back from the military to foil their nefarious plans. Wayne Morris is about the only name of note. He had been a naval pilot during WW2 and fell into a number of these roles. He died of a heart attack while participating in a Navy Day exercise during the early 60s. If you've seen this film, it was likely a filler on the late show and probably did not make much of an impression. But, to kids like me back then, it was great to see the bad guys get their butts kicked.
2 Reviews
How to make a fishing film when you can't afford any fish.
JohnHowardReid1 June 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Producer: Lindsley Parsons. Copyright 14 October 1951 by Monogram Pictures Corp. U.S. release: 14 October 1951. No New York opening. U.K. release through Associated British-Pathé: January 1952. Never theatrically released in Australia. 74 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: A tuna fisherman and his son struggle to overcome a series of costly accidents.
COMMENT: Typical Monogram film with flat, gray-toned photography, steadfastly routine direction (usually using long takes with cut-in close-ups), liberal use of stock shots (not a single fish is used in the climactic sequence, the effect of fishing being entirely achieved by deft cutting between studio and stock material) and a cast of third-string players.
Wayne Morris is his customary self and the rest of the cast go through their usual characterizations - though admittedly we always like to see Gordon Jones (he is the only decent actor in the whole bunch). Adrian Booth is a moderately attractive leading lady but the sub-lead is one of those Mexican types whose Hollywood clichés of dialogue and mannerism we could well do without.
The story follows as predictable a course as a mariner's compass, with time out for some dull romantic episodes. There is a modicum of action, though the film is pretty tame overall. The direction is completely uninteresting aside from the storm sequence with the chubasco which is mildly suspenseful.
Other production credits are "B" grade standard, although the film benefits from a bit of location shooting around the wharf area.
SYNOPSIS: A tuna fisherman and his son struggle to overcome a series of costly accidents.
COMMENT: Typical Monogram film with flat, gray-toned photography, steadfastly routine direction (usually using long takes with cut-in close-ups), liberal use of stock shots (not a single fish is used in the climactic sequence, the effect of fishing being entirely achieved by deft cutting between studio and stock material) and a cast of third-string players.
Wayne Morris is his customary self and the rest of the cast go through their usual characterizations - though admittedly we always like to see Gordon Jones (he is the only decent actor in the whole bunch). Adrian Booth is a moderately attractive leading lady but the sub-lead is one of those Mexican types whose Hollywood clichés of dialogue and mannerism we could well do without.
The story follows as predictable a course as a mariner's compass, with time out for some dull romantic episodes. There is a modicum of action, though the film is pretty tame overall. The direction is completely uninteresting aside from the storm sequence with the chubasco which is mildly suspenseful.
Other production credits are "B" grade standard, although the film benefits from a bit of location shooting around the wharf area.
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