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 by | Frank Hurley |
| Written by | Frank Hurley |
| Produced by | Frank Hurley |
| Starring | Eric Bransby Williams Lillian Douglas Jameson Thomas |
| Cinematography | Frank Hurley Walter Sully |
Production company | Stoll Pictures |
| Distributed by | J.C. Williamson Films |
Release dates | 6 November 1926 (Aus) February 1927 (UK) |
Running time | 4,960 feet |
| Countries | Australia United Kingdom |
| Language | Silent |
| Budget | £5,000 |
It was one of the first Australian films set on Thursday Island. [1]
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]
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.
Reviews generally praised the photography but had reservations about the story.[5]
The film was released in Britain as Pearl of the South Seas.