The Hound of the Deep

The Hound of the Deep is a 1926 British–Australian silent drama film directed by Frank Hurley and starring Eric Bransby Williams, Lilian Douglas and Jameson Thomas. Unlike many Australian silent films, a copy of it survives today.

The Hound of the Deep
Directed byFrank Hurley
Written byFrank Hurley
Produced byFrank Hurley
StarringEric Bransby Williams
Lillian Douglas
Jameson Thomas
CinematographyFrank Hurley
Walter Sully
Production
company
Distributed byJ.C. Williamson Films
Release dates
6 November 1926 (Aus)
February 1927 (UK)
Running time
4,960 feet
CountriesAustralia
United Kingdom
LanguageSilent
Budget£5,000

It was one of the first Australian films set on Thursday Island. [1]

Plot

Under the terms of his uncle's will, John Strong (Eric Bransby Williams) must go to Thursday Island and find a pearl within two years or the Reuben Strong pearling station and his great wealth will revert to another, Black Darley (Jameson Thomas). Eventually Strong finds the pearl, defeats Darley and discovers romance with the daughter (Lillian Douglas) of an island trader (W.G. Saunders).[2]

Cast

Production

After the disappointing reception to his documentaries in America, Hurley decided to go into dramatic feature films. He succeed in persuading the Australian-born British theatre magnate Sir Oswald Stoll to provide £10,000 and several actors and technicians to make two films in Papua and Thursday Island, this and Jungle Woman.[3][4]

Hurley and his crew left Sydney in August 1925 and travelled to Thursday Island where they shot The Hound of the Deep.

Release

Reviews generally praised the photography but had reservations about the story.[5]

The film was released in Britain as Pearl of the South Seas.

References
  1. Vagg, Stephen (25 May 2020). "The A to Z of Non-White Aussie Movies and TV in White Australia". Filmink.
  2. ""THE HOUND OF THE DEEP."". The Brisbane Courier. National Library of Australia. 26 February 1927. p. 22. Retrieved 8 April 2012.
  3. "AUSTRALIAN FILMS". The Register. Adelaide: National Library of Australia. 16 October 1926. p. 10. Retrieved 8 April 2012.
  4. "AMUSEMENTS. STOLL-HURLEY FILM PRODUCTIONS". The Sydney Morning Herald. National Library of Australia. 8 September 1925. p. 5. Retrieved 8 April 2012.
  5. "NEW FILMS". The Sydney Morning Herald. National Library of Australia. 8 November 1926. p. 6. Retrieved 8 April 2012.
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