We acknowledge Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and live and give respect to their Elders, past and present.

Read our Statement of Reflection

Your Cart

Your cart is empty right now...

Discover what's on
Your Stuff
Lists
No lists found
Create list
List name
0 Saved items
Updated: a few seconds ago
Getting Started
Get started with Your Stuff

A free Your Stuff account allows you to save, list and share your favourite collection items and articles. This account will give you access to Your Stuff, NFSA Player and Pro. You will need to create an additional account for Canberra event tickets.

Confirm
Skip to main content
National Film and Sound Archive of AustraliaNational Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
National Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
National Film and Sound Archive

King of the Coral Sea excerpt

1954

King of the Coral Sea excerpt

1954

  • NFSA IDEMQJ4KKH
  • TypeFilm
  • MediumMoving Image
  • FormFeature Film
  • Duration1 hr, 20 mins
  • GenresAdventure, Crime
  • Year1954

An excerpt from King of the Coral Sea (Lee Robinson, 1954).

Ted King (Chips Rafferty), a pearler on Thursday Island in the Torres Strait, finds a body floating in the water and uncovers a people smuggling operation. Ted is joined on the island by Peter Merriman (Charles Tingwell), a big-city playboy and owner of the pearling company. When Ted’s daughter Rusty (Ilma Adey) is kidnapped by the smugglers, Ted and Merriman must overcome their differences to rescue her.

Produced by and starring Chips Rafferty, this romantic action-packed adventure was a box-office success in its day. It co-stars beloved actor Charles ‘Bud’ Tingwell and marks the film debut of future Hollywood star Rod Taylor. The film was beautifully shot on location in the Torres Strait and is notable for including a mask dance performed by the traditional owners of Thursday Island, the Kaurareg people.

Stream King of the Coral Sea on NFSA Player

An excerpt from King of the Coral Sea (Lee Robinson, 1954).

Ted King (Chips Rafferty), a pearler on Thursday Island in the Torres Strait, finds a body floating in the water and uncovers a people smuggling operation. Ted is joined on the island by Peter Merriman (Charles Tingwell), a big-city playboy and owner of the pearling company. When Ted’s daughter Rusty (Ilma Adey) is kidnapped by the smugglers, Ted and Merriman must overcome their differences to rescue her.

Produced by and starring Chips Rafferty, this romantic action-packed adventure was a box-office success in its day. It co-stars beloved actor Charles ‘Bud’ Tingwell and marks the film debut of future Hollywood star Rod Taylor. The film was beautifully shot on location in the Torres Strait and is notable for including a mask dance performed by the traditional owners of Thursday Island, the Kaurareg people.

Stream King of the Coral Sea on NFSA Player

    Industry professional? Go Pro

    Need to license this item? A/V professionals and researchers can shortlist licensing enquiries via our NFSA Pro catalogue search and membership.

    Get started with PRO

    Collections to explore

    • Start your own collection

      A free Your Stuff account allows you to save, organise and share your favourite videos, audio and stories.

    More in Stories+

    Personalized your experience

    Save, create and share

    With NFSA Your Stuff