16 Fathoms Deep


16 Fathoms Deep is a 1948 American adventure film directed by Irving Allen and starring Lloyd Bridges, Lon Chaney [Jr.] and Arthur Lake. It is a remake of the 1934 film of the same title in which Chaney had also starred.

Plot

Ray Douglas, fresh out of the Navy, arrives in Tarpon [Springs, Florida] hoping to find work as a sponge diver. Looking for work, he meets Mr. Demitri, who runs the sponge auction, but also gives loans to needy fishermen, using the leverage to eventually take their boats. Meanwhile, Pete is a photographer taking pictures of the locals for "the big magazines". Demitri's assistant Simi is in love with diver Alex, but Mr. Demitri has designs on her of his own. Despite her warnings, Alex takes a loan from Demitri to buy his own boat, hiring on Ray, as well as the former owner, Capt. Athos and his son George. He also hires Pete as the ship's cook and a diver named Nick, who is working for Demitri to spoil the trip.

Cast

The film was shot on location in Tarpon Springs, Florida. It was to be shot in Ansco Color, a form of color stock. It was intended to film only some footage in Florida and the rest in California but the footage would not match so it had to be shot entirely in Florida.
Acting as co-producer, this was Arthur Lake's only foray behind the camera for a feature film.