Underwater! (1955)

Dominic Quesada and Johnny Gray, two SCUBA divers searching for sunken treasure off the coast of Cuba, think they've hit the jackpot when they find a 17th century ship on the sea floor. ... See full summary »

Director:

John Sturges

Writers:

Walter Newman (screenplay), Hugh King (story),

Stars:

Jane Russell, Gilbert Roland, Richard Egan

Cast

Cast overview:
Jane Russell	...	Theresa Gray
Gilbert Roland	...	Dominic Quesada
Richard Egan	...	Johnny Gray
Lori Nelson	...	Gloria
Robert Keith	...	Father Cannon
Joseph Calleia	...	Rico Herrera
Eugene Iglesias	...	Miguel Vega
Ric Roman	...	Jesus
Dámaso Pérez Prado	...	Perez Prado (as Perez Prado)

Storyline

Dominic Quesada and Johnny Gray, two SCUBA divers searching for sunken treasure off the coast of Cuba, think they've hit the jackpot when they find a 17th century ship on the sea floor. They need working capital however and Johnny is ready to hock his boat but his wife Theresa thinks they're off on another wild scheme that will leave them all poorer than when they started. She comes around however and are soon joined by Gloria, whose boat they will use and Father Cannon, a university professor and archaeologist. Although Dominic hasn't been completely honest with his partners, they may in fact be in the area of a major treasure ship. When they do find it, the ship is teetering on the edge of a 300 foot cliff and dangerous for even the most experienced divers.

---

Plot Keywords:

treasure | underwater | female in swimsuit | scuba diving | octopus | 

---

Taglines:

SKIN DIVER ACTION...AQUA-LUNG THRILLS! (original poster-all caps)

---

Genres:

Adventure | Drama

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 April 1955 (Japan)

Also Known As:

The Big Rainbow

Filming Locations:

Hawaii, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$3,500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.00 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

A Feb. 11, 1958 Los Angeles Times ad shows that this film was widely distributed on a double bill at many drive-in theaters with Disney's Old Yeller.

---

Goofs

When Theresa pushes Johnny off the boat at the end, the walls of the tank in which the boat floats is visible in the background.

---

Soundtracks

"Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White"
Music by Louiguy

User Reviews

Fun with Dick and Jane

Full-figured Jane Russell (as Theresa), her skin-diving husband Richard Egan (as Johnny), and his Cuban partner Gilbert Roland (as Dominic) search for treasure in the Caribbean. They find a shipwreck, shark, and others interested in the booty. Early in the running time, listen for Perez Prado's mega-hit instrumental "Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White". This Howard Hughes production unabashedly showcased the chests and legs of its co-stars; other than the obvious, note how the Ms. Russell's legs are made visible while under the ship's table and Mr. Egan's shirt blows open in the breeze, for a loving camera. The "Underwater!" climax (and Russell cleavage) is routine, but it does not bore.

***** Underwater! (2/9/55) John Sturges ~ Jane Russell, Richard Egan, Gilbert Roland, Lori Nelson