BENEATH THE 12-MILE REEF(1953)
Wow, a movie about, wait for it, sponges!!! More specifically,
sponge diving on the Florida coast line! A turf war in the
water that turns to death and revenge!! One of Robert Wagner's
first movies, also here is Peter Graves and Richard Boone.
The underwater visuals and music are awesome!! C+
From a reviewer at Amazon.com:
Beneath the 12-Mile Reef is a landmark, or rather watermark.
The third ever CinemaScope production this was a prestige
release, with Florida, Key West location Technicolor filming
of never-before-achieved underwater cinematography, and
four-channel stereo recording of a superlative Bernard
Herrmann score. Even a still-impressive underwater battle
with an< octopus pre-dates the more famous giant squid
of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954). The humans aren't
bad either, with a young Robert Wagner making a charismatic
if ethnically unconvincing Greek lead as sponge fisherman
Tony, and Terry Moore playing Juliet to his Romeo with real
vivacity. --Gary S. Dalkin