The Secret of the Loch | |
---|---|
Directed by | Milton Rosmer |
Written by | Charles Bennett Billie Bristow |
Produced by | Bray Wyndham |
Starring | Seymour Hicks |
Cinematography | James Wilson |
Edited by | David Lean |
Music by | Peter Mendoza |
Production company | Wyndham Productions |
Distributed by | Associated British |
Release date |
|
Running time | 78 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
The Secret of the Loch is a 1934 British film about the Loch Ness Monster. It is the first film made about the monster. [1] [2] [3] It was edited by David Lean.
Charles Bennett said the film was based on his original idea. He later admitted it was "terrible... but amusing". [4]
Professor Heggie is determined to prove to a sceptical scientific community the existence of a dinosaur in Loch Ness. Young London reporter Jimmy Anderson believes him and offers to help. He also falls in love with Angela, the professor's granddaughter. Jimmy finally plucks up the courage to enter the Loch himself, and comes face to face with the monster.
Actor | Role |
---|---|
Seymour Hicks | Professor Heggie |
Nancy O'Neil | Angela Heggie |
Gibson Gowland | Angus |
Frederick Peisley | Jimmy Anderson |
Eric Hales | Jack Campbell, the Diver |
Rosamund John | Maggie Fraser, the Barmaid |
Ben Field | Piermaster |
Robert Wilton | Reporter |
Hubert Harben | Professor Blenkinsop Fothergill |
Fewlass Llewellyn | Scientist at Meeting |
Stafford Hilliard | Macdonald |
D. J. Williams | Judge |
Clive Morton | Reporter/Photographer in Pub |
Cyril McLaglen | Mate |
The film was inspired by the success of King Kong. It was made by Bray Wyndham, an independent producer using Ealing’s studios and technicians while Basil Dean had a dispute with RKO. Prominent billing was given to Seymour Hicks. Director Milton Rosmer was borrowed from Gaumont, although George King was originally announced for the job. [5]
Charles Bennett and Billie Bristow visited Loch Ness in December 1933 to research the film. [6] Bennett later said "I went up to the Scottish highlands and searched out Loch Ness. I never met the monster, but I found a wonderful Scotch whiskey." [7]
The film was known as Sinister Deeps. [8]
The film was shot over four weeks. [9] In the film, the "monster" is actually a live iguana.
TV Guide called the film "a trite programmer which doesn't make one believe in the humans' actions, much less the sea serpent's"; [10] while Allmovie called it a "fairly amusing British monster movie...obscure but entertaining oddity"; [11] and Britmovie noted an "enjoyable comic romp." [12]
The Loch Ness Monster, also known as Nessie, is a mythical creature in Scottish folklore that is said to inhabit Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands. It is often described as large, long-necked, and with one or more humps protruding from the water. Popular interest and belief in the creature has varied since it was brought to worldwide attention in 1933. Evidence of its existence is anecdotal with a number of disputed photographs and sonar readings.
Stewart Granger was a British film actor, mainly associated with heroic and romantic leading roles. He was a popular leading man from the 1940s to the early 1960s, rising to fame through his appearances in the Gainsborough melodramas.
The Family-Ness is a cartoon series from Scotland first produced in 1983. It was originally broadcast on BBC One from late 1984 to early 1985, with repeats airing throughout most of the 1990s and early 2000s, eventually ending with a short run on CBeebies on BBC Two between 11 and 22 February 2002. It was created by Peter Maddocks of Maddocks Cartoon Productions. Maddocks later went on to produce Penny Crayon and Jimbo and the Jet Set in a similar style. Family-Ness was about the adventures of a family of Loch Ness Monsters and the MacToot family, particularly siblings Elspeth and Angus. The 'Nessies' could be called from the loch by the two children by means of their "thistle whistles".
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The Loch Ness Monster is a creature from folklore that has appeared in popular culture in various genres since at least 1934. It is most often depicted as a relict dinosaur or similar, but other explanations for its existence such as being a shapeshifter or from outer space also appear. It is only occasionally portrayed as threatening, despite its name.
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Winifred Joyce "Winnie" Drinkwater was a pioneering Scottish aviator and aeroplane engineer. She was the first woman in the world to hold a commercial pilot's licence.