The Sea Beast (1926)

Director:

Millard Webb

Writers:

Herman Melville (novel)
Bess Meredyth (writer)

Release Date:

15 January 1926 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure

Plot:

Plot Keywords:

Sea | Based On Novel

Cast

John Barrymore	...	Captain Ahab Ceeley
Dolores Costello	...	Esther Harper
George O'Hara	...	Derek Ceeley
Mike Donlin	...	Flask
Sam Baker	...	Queequeeq
George Berrell	...	Perth (as George Burrell)
Sam Allen	...	Captain
Frank Nelson	...	Stubbs
Mathilde Comont	...	Mula
James O. Barrows	...	Rev. Harper
Vadim Uraneff	...	Pip
Sojin	...	Fedallah
Frank Hagney	...	Daggoo
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Joyzelle Joyner	...	Dancer in prologue

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

USA

Colour:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Silent

Filming Locations:

San Pedro, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

To "doctor" the film, Jack L. Warner enlisted the help of Rupert Hughes, who reedited it and provided new titles. Since no compensation had been agreed upon, Warner sent a check for $1500, which Hughes returned saying he had done the work as a favor to both Warner AND Herman Melville.

Movie Connections:

Version of Moby Dick (1998) (TV)

Interesting, though not at all based on Melville's Moby Dick.

This film is rarely seen and not available on video. I made a personal copy on Beta tape (from a 16mm print) over 20 years ago to assist in the writing of my master's thesis on the adaptations of Moby Dick. Although it has some interesting maritime visual elements including some documentary footage of the butchering of sperm whales - it has very little to do with Melville's story or characters. Ahab is given a more heroic and romantic treatment. A love interest (Esther) and a rival half-brother provide a conflict never dreamed of by the novelist. The 1930 sound version is similar in most respects although shorter. I won't spoil the ending but you can again be sure it has nothing to do with Melville.