A young sailor falls in love with a mysterious woman performing as a mermaid on the local pier. As they become entwined, he comes to suspect the woman might be a real mermaid who lures men to a watery death during the full moon. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in partnership with The Film Foundation in 2007.
Cinematography
Shadowy Venice Beach pier becomes its own character.
Acting
Baby Dennis Hopper's twitchy sincerity sells the absurdity.
Production
DIY mermaid mythology on a shoestring budget.
Director
Curtis Harrington
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Shot in 10 days for $50,000, this was Harrington's feature debut after making avant-garde shorts with Kenneth Anger.
Part of the 1960s 'fantastique' wave that treated horror with arthouse seriousness — think Corman's Poe films but beachier.
US
