If you're in the mood for a terrific movie, check out this precode drama from Warner Brothers. Edward G. Robinson turned in many notable performances during his long and varied career...TIGER SHARK is one of his more memorable efforts.
He is cast as a Portuguese fisherman in San Diego. The accent he applies comes off a bit too thick at times, but we have a lively character. It's a larger than life role, a man who exaggerates his exploits with women and tells everyone he's the best tuna fisher in the whole Pacific Ocean. It is true that he is successful at sea with his crew, which includes pal Richard Arlen.
But back on land, he often strikes out with the ladies because as we see during the opening sequence, he has lost one of his arms fighting a deadly shark. Gals don't seem much interested in a man with a hook for a hand.
One exception may be Zita Johann. Her elderly father was one of Robinson's crew members who died at sea on a recent expedition. Robinson brings her the sad news, along with some food and money. He continues to look after her, and an unlikely relationship develops.
She's depressed and Robinson's boisterous charms help snap her out of it. She doesn't exactly love him, but she expresses considerable affection and is willing to marry him when he suggests doing so. The wedding scenes are artistically filmed by director Howard Hawks, and this sequence comes off best with sincere work from Robinson, Johann, Arlen and the supporting players.
Of course there won't be smooth sailing for the newlyweds. A short time after they exchange vows, she figures out that she would much rather have said "I do"to his buddy (Arlen). Domestic scenes are fraught with sexual tension between Johann and Arlen, while Robinson remains unaware of their simmering passions. He's heading for a fall, and it will be monumental.
Eventually Johann tells Arlen how she feels, and he feels the same. Since they both owe a debt of gratitude to Robinson for all the kind things he's done for them, neither can bring themselves to cheat. They continue to struggle with their feelings, and Arlen devises an escape plan. His attempt to leave, however, is prevented by an accident. When Johann realizes she almost lost Arlen, she doesn't want to leave his side.
Eventually the two share a passionate kiss one day on the tuna boat, when Johann decides to go out to sea with the men. She wants to make sure Arlen doesn't hop off in Mazatlan and leave her behind. When Robinson witnesses their romantic embrace, he blows up. The hook he uses for his right hand becomes a weapon when he is provoked. A violent brawl ensues, with Johann caught in the middle.
Robinson is filled with rage and wants to kill Arlen. Johann tells him he is crazy, when he flings Arlen overboard on to a rowboat which he then proceeds to nick with a harpoon so it will sink. This is very dramatic stuff, and you don't mess with Robinson when he's in Captain Ahab mode!
Robinson rants and raves about the sharks at sea. He screams that the sharks settle everything, referring to the loss of his hand and the death of Johann's father. Meanwhile, the rest of the men hear the commotion and run to save Arlen, especially since a shark is circling in the water, and the rowboat is sinking.
In an ironic twist of fate, Robinson falls overboard and a shark starts to attack him. The men are able to pull Robinson and Arlen back on to the tuna boat, but at this point Robinson is dying. Earlier in the film there's some recurring dialogue about Robinson's imagined relationship with Saint Peter- also a great fisherman.
When his time comes, Robinson does not want to go down to hell, but up to heaven. He figures that if he is sent to hell, Saint Peter will still come to get him.
He is cast as a Portuguese fisherman in San Diego. The accent he applies comes off a bit too thick at times, but we have a lively character. It's a larger than life role, a man who exaggerates his exploits with women and tells everyone he's the best tuna fisher in the whole Pacific Ocean. It is true that he is successful at sea with his crew, which includes pal Richard Arlen.
But back on land, he often strikes out with the ladies because as we see during the opening sequence, he has lost one of his arms fighting a deadly shark. Gals don't seem much interested in a man with a hook for a hand.
One exception may be Zita Johann. Her elderly father was one of Robinson's crew members who died at sea on a recent expedition. Robinson brings her the sad news, along with some food and money. He continues to look after her, and an unlikely relationship develops.
She's depressed and Robinson's boisterous charms help snap her out of it. She doesn't exactly love him, but she expresses considerable affection and is willing to marry him when he suggests doing so. The wedding scenes are artistically filmed by director Howard Hawks, and this sequence comes off best with sincere work from Robinson, Johann, Arlen and the supporting players.
Of course there won't be smooth sailing for the newlyweds. A short time after they exchange vows, she figures out that she would much rather have said "I do"to his buddy (Arlen). Domestic scenes are fraught with sexual tension between Johann and Arlen, while Robinson remains unaware of their simmering passions. He's heading for a fall, and it will be monumental.
Eventually Johann tells Arlen how she feels, and he feels the same. Since they both owe a debt of gratitude to Robinson for all the kind things he's done for them, neither can bring themselves to cheat. They continue to struggle with their feelings, and Arlen devises an escape plan. His attempt to leave, however, is prevented by an accident. When Johann realizes she almost lost Arlen, she doesn't want to leave his side.
Eventually the two share a passionate kiss one day on the tuna boat, when Johann decides to go out to sea with the men. She wants to make sure Arlen doesn't hop off in Mazatlan and leave her behind. When Robinson witnesses their romantic embrace, he blows up. The hook he uses for his right hand becomes a weapon when he is provoked. A violent brawl ensues, with Johann caught in the middle.
Robinson is filled with rage and wants to kill Arlen. Johann tells him he is crazy, when he flings Arlen overboard on to a rowboat which he then proceeds to nick with a harpoon so it will sink. This is very dramatic stuff, and you don't mess with Robinson when he's in Captain Ahab mode!
Robinson rants and raves about the sharks at sea. He screams that the sharks settle everything, referring to the loss of his hand and the death of Johann's father. Meanwhile, the rest of the men hear the commotion and run to save Arlen, especially since a shark is circling in the water, and the rowboat is sinking.
In an ironic twist of fate, Robinson falls overboard and a shark starts to attack him. The men are able to pull Robinson and Arlen back on to the tuna boat, but at this point Robinson is dying. Earlier in the film there's some recurring dialogue about Robinson's imagined relationship with Saint Peter- also a great fisherman.
When his time comes, Robinson does not want to go down to hell, but up to heaven. He figures that if he is sent to hell, Saint Peter will still come to get him.