Samarang


1933

Film Details

Release Date
Jun 23, 1933
Premiere Information
not available
Production Company
B. F. Zeidman Productions, Ltd.
Distribution Company
United Artists Corp.
Country
United States

Synopsis

On the beautiful island of Samarang, in the Malay Straits, the natives of a small village depend on the ocean's bounty for their livelihood. The ocean is both provider and destroyer, for although the people cannot live without the fish and pearls for which they dive, they are often killed by sharks, octopi and other dangerous creatures. Mamounah, a venerable matron, relies on her sons, the brave Ahmang and fun-loving Ko-Hai, for support after all of her other relatives have perished in the water. Ahmang is in love with the vivacious Saiyu but has little hope of marrying her, for he is poor while she is a chieftain's daughter. Desperate to earn enough money so that he can marry Saiyu, Ahmang decides to sail on the ship of crafty Chang Fu and dive for pearls. Half of the male population of Samarang has been lost because of primitive pearl diving methods, and Chang Fu makes the excursion more risky by going near the island of Sakai, which is inhabited by cannibals. Chang Fu promises Ahmang his best pearl in exchange for help procuring other divers, and Ahmang agrees. Before the ship sails, the natives watch the ritual "Shadow Show," in which performers warn the divers of the perils that await them. Ko-Hai, who is excited at being allowed to go on the excursion under his brother's protection, is heartbroken when, during the show, his pet mule-deer wanders off and is killed by a python. When the ship sails the next morning, the stoic Mamounah watches as her sons and Saiyu leave. Later, all appears to be going well as the ship anchors near Sakai, and the diving begins. Ahmang finds a large pearl, and the others also do well. Catastrophe strikes when they run out of fresh water and are forced to go ashore to search for more. The searchers are attacked by cannibals, and while most of them escape, Ahmang and Saiyu are left behind in the confusion. Eager to claim Ahmang's pearl for his own, Chang Fu gives the couple up for lost and sets sail. Although they are frightened by the wildlife, Ahmang and Saiyu make friends with an orangutang and find food. Chang Fu is forced to return to the island by the crew, and Ahmang and Saiyu are rescued. While everyone is rejoicing, Ko-Hai, determined to be as good a diver as his brother, jumps into the water. Saiyu sees a shark and alerts Ahmang, but despite Ahmang's attempt to save him, Ko-Hai is killed by the shark. The entire population grieves when his body is brought back, and Ahmang becomes obsessed by thoughts of revenge. Soon after, Ahmang and Saiyu return to the ocean and Ahmang kills the man-eating shark. By avenging his brother's death, Ahmang has proven his bravery, and soon receives permission to marry Saiyu. A happy Mamounah helps Saiyu prepare for the wedding and everyone enjoys the ceremony.

Film Details

Release Date
Jun 23, 1933
Premiere Information
not available
Production Company
B. F. Zeidman Productions, Ltd.
Distribution Company
United Artists Corp.
Country
United States

Quotes

Trivia

Notes

The opening title card and cast list were not on the print viewed. Although the film's onscreen credits show a book on which is written "Samarang Out of the Deep by Lori Bara," there is no information confirming that the picture is based on a published novel. "Out of the Deep" May have been the film's subtitle. A written statement in the onscreen credits dedicates the film "to [W.] Somerset Maugham, Robert Louis Stevenson, Herman Melville, Pierre Loti and other great authors who wrote of these same fascinating people in faraway places, at the bottom of the world." Tom J. Geraghty, who is credited onscreen and in most reviews as the editor, is credited by the Film Daily review as both editor and adaptor. As Geraghty was a writer, the exact nature of his contribution to the film is unclear. The Film Daily review also lists photographer John C. Cook's surname as Clark. Although some contemporary sources list the captain of the pearling schooner as "Ariff," the film's written titles refer to him as "Chang Fu." According to the film's pressbook, the entire picture was shot on location in Malaysia. Story writer Lori Bara was married to director Ward Wing and was the sister of silent film star Theda Bara.