Venus of the South Seas

Venus of the South Seas, also known as Venus of the Southern Seas, is a 1924 silent drama film directed by James R. Sullivan starring swimmer Annette Kellerman. It was one of the last films with footage in the Prizma Color process.

The 55-minute four-reel film was made by an American company and shot in Nelson, New Zealand. It includes substantial footage taking place underwater. The film, with the final reel in Prizmacolor, was restored by the Library of Congress in 2004.

Plot
The daughter of a man who owns a South Seas pearl business falls in love with a wealthy traveler. Her father dies, leaving her the business, but a greedy ship captain schemes to take the business from her.

Cast

 * Annette Kellerman as Shona Royal
 * Roland Purdie as John Royal
 * Norman French as Captain John Drake
 * Robert Ramsey as Robert Quane

Home Release
“Venus of The South Seas” was released in its 55 minute entirety on Region 1 DVD by Grapevine Video on 21st June 2011; restored from 35mm film, alongside surviving footage of the original 1914 film Neptune’s Daughter (1914 film).

Other sources
New Zealand Film 1912-1996 by Helen Martin & Sam Edwards, p. 33 (1997, Oxford University Press, Auckland) ISBN 019 558336 1