The Black Pearl (Scott O'Dell)

The Black Pearl is a young adult novel by Scott O'Dell first published in 1967 about the coming of age of the son of a pearl dealer.

Plot summary
Ramon Salazar finds a black pearl so beautiful that his father is certain Ramon has found the fabled Pearl of Heaven. This find will bring renown to their town, and to the Salazar name. However, the pearl also has a curse that haunts the town and Salazar's family.

Film adaptation
Royal Productions and Universum Film produced a film adaptation of The Black Pearl. Released in 1977, the film was directed by Saul Swimmer, written by Victor Miller, and featured performances by Gilbert Roland, Mario Custodio, and Carl Anderson. Perla Cristal and Emilio Rodríguez also starred in the film.

Initially, The Black Pearl was to be shot in Mexico with Ben Vereen in the lead role. But the movie was eventually filmed in Spain without Vereen.