Released by Sterling Films for the home market in the 1940s, “Shark on the Line” was directed J.W. Trerise and E.L. Cranstone, and based on materials originally gathered by the Australian Dept. of Information.

This short film depicts sharks in Australia, including the best waters for shark fishing. This film was produced with material provided by the Australian Department of Information (:15). The most fruitful waters for shark fishing are off the Queensland Coast of Australia (:26). Bull sharks cut through the water on the ocean floor (:33). The Queensland Game Fishing Association weighing station at Brisbane follows (:47). Fishermen load up a vessel with fishing gear and supplies for a trip (:58). The troupe stops at the lighthouse along their journey (1:25). Mail, newspapers and beer are moved from the fishing vessel to the lighthouse (1:28). Note: this appears to be the Moreton Bay Pile Light, which was destroyed in 1949 by a collision with a ship. Diving seagulls fly by as the vessel continues on its journey (1:46) informing the men of fish nearby. One of the men readies his fishing pole (1:55). Mackerel fight in the waters (2:06). As the mackerel is pulled onto the ships surface, a small fish is still seen in it’s mouth (2:11). Another fisherman harpoons one of the fish (2:26). The troupe sets course for the coral reef (2:55). The anchor is dropped here (3:00). The men fill balloons (3:13) in order to keep the lines from breaking on the coral. Dead fish are used for bait (3:21). One of the men adds dried blood into the water to further entice the sharks (3:33). They then relax as they wait for the sharks to take the bait (3:58). Some use the time to hand line fish for cod (4:10). Lines full of fish are pulled onto the surface (4:26). The line begins to move as a shark takes the bait (5:04). The battle to reel in the shark plays out (5:29). A fisherman awaits ready with a hook for the shark (6:23). It takes three hours to bring the shark in close enough (6:32). The shark is hooked here (7:00). A technique used is to keep the sharks head above water in order to make breathing difficult. The killed shark is then drug up onto the boat (7:39). A shark pennant is sent up to fly from the masthead (7:44). The film concludes as another shark is seen swimming in the water at the boat’s edge (7:55). This was a Sterling Film (8:01).

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com