The Mermaids of Tiburon


1h 17m 1962

Film Details

Genre
Fantasy
Release Date
Jan 1962
Premiere Information
Los Angeles opening: 13 Jun 1962
Production Company
Aquarex; Pacifica Films
Distribution Company
Art Films International; The Filmgroup, Inc.
Country
United States

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 17m

Synopsis

Upon receiving reports that strange unclassified creatures, possibly mermaids, have been observed in the coastal waters off Tiburon Island, marine biologist Samuel Jamison agrees to co-finance an expedition to the island. His partner, Ernst Steinhauer, is a pearl trader who claims there is a rich supply of fire pearls to be found at Tiburon. When Steinhauer disappears, Jamison makes the trip alone, unaware that Milo Sangster, a fellow passenger on the chartered boat, is a ruthless adventurer who has murdered Steinhauer in the hope of getting the fire pearls for himself. Once at the desolate island, Jamison encounters a mermaid queen who leads him to an underwater cave filled with fire pearls. Sangster also locates the cave, but mermaids put him under their spell and lure him to his death. Jamison tries to find the mermaid queen to persuade her to return to civilization with him. The mermaid, realizing that she could never leave her world beneath the sea, hides from view until he reboards his ship and pulls anchor. As the vessel leaves the island, the mermaid surfaces, sadly watches it depart, and then disappears from sight.

Film Details

Genre
Fantasy
Release Date
Jan 1962
Premiere Information
Los Angeles opening: 13 Jun 1962
Production Company
Aquarex; Pacifica Films
Distribution Company
Art Films International; The Filmgroup, Inc.
Country
United States

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 17m

Quotes

Trivia

Notes

Location scenes filmed in La Paz, Mexico; the Caribbean; the Red Sea; and on Santa Catalina. The film was re-copyrighted and re-released with alterations in 1964 as The Aqua Sex and The Virgin Aqua Sex. Records on the re-release indicate that the re-release had the longer running time of 76 minutes and that actress Gaby Martone appeared in the latter version as "Queen of the Apes."