A caged ape-monster, a drowning hero, and a giant abalone walk into a 1923 film you'll never see.
Hercules Napoleon Cameron, who finds his adventure in books, is searching the waterfront with Alice Winthrop for a friend's father when they are shanghaied and taken aboard "The Finn's" ship, bound for the South Seas. "The Finn" is a brutal captain who reinforces his authority with a caged, ape-like monster. "The Thing" escapes during a storm, destroys the captain and crew, then turns on Alice and Nap. Fearing that their last moment has arrived, they declare their love for each other, and Nap suddenly develops a heroic impulse. He holds off the monster for a time, Alice and Nap swim for shore closely followed by "The Thing," and Nap finally drowns the beast with the aid of a large abalone. A lost film.
Practical Effects
"The Thing" — an ape-like monster suit from 1923 we can only dream about.
Acting
Henry Hull's hero transformation from bookworm to abalone-wielding monster slayer.
Director
J. Parker Read Jr.
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This is a LOST FILM — no known prints survive, only stills and synopses. Everything we 'know' comes from 1923 trade papers and breathless reviews.
Louis Wolheim (The Finn) would later play sympathetic roles like the professor in 'All Quiet on the Western Front' — here he's pure maritime nightmare fuel.
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