Omoo-Omoo the Shark God is a 1949 American exploitation film directed by Leon Leonard. Loosely based on the Herman Melville novel Omoo,[1] it is about the curses that befall a ship following the removal of pearls from an island shrine.
The film is also known as The Shark God in the United Kingdom.[2]
Plot
A sea captain has violated the tabu of a South Sea Island by removing some pearls that are the eyes of an idol of the Shark God. The captain is killed by two crew members who want the pearls.
Cast
- Ron Randell as Jeff Garland
- Devera Burton as Julie Guy
- Trevor Bardette as Capt. Roger Guy
- Pedro de Cordoba as Chief Tari
- Richard Benedict as Mate Richards
- Michael Whalen as "Chips"
- Rudy Robles as Tembo
- George Meeker as Dr. Godfrey Long
- Lisa Kincaid as Tala
Reception
Variety called it "an unpretentious jungle picture" in which the action sequences "seldom achieve an aura of realism" and "performances are generally listless with Randell turning in the most credible job."[3]
References
- ^ Rollyson, Carl E.; Olson Paddock, Lisa; Gentry, April (2007). Critical Companion to Herman Melville: A Literary Reference to His Life and Work. Infobase Publishing. p. 170. ISBN 978-1-438-10847-6.
- ^ "SHARK GOD, The". Monthly Film Bulletin. 17 (193). London: 106. 1 January 1950. ProQuest 1305823484.
- ^ Review of film at Variety
External links
- Omoo-Omoo the Shark God at IMDb
- Omoo-Omoo the Shark God is available for free viewing and download at the Internet Archive
- New York Times review
- Omoo Omoo the Shark God at TCMDB
- Omoo Omoo the Shark God at BFI