Turn of the Tide

Date1943

Can DescriptionsDramatic film about formation of a Maine fishermen's cooperative shot in Port Clyde, Maine, with an unsynchronized sound track. The cast is local fishermen. Funded by The Cooperative League of the USA, the Edward A. Filene Good Will Fund, and the Harmon Foundation of New York. // Birger Magnusen of Vinalhaven, who founded the fist Lobsterman's Cooperative on Vinalhaven Island, with the technical assistance of Edward M. (Ted) Holmes, plays a main role. (Notes from Roy Heisler, Vinalhaven Historical Society.) // NHF cataloguer's notes, 1994: Maine voices heard: Herm and Mrs. Lyford, and Milt Stanley. Shows hard life of the fishermen, unhappy about getting only 15 cents/lb. Shows fishing and hauling traps, fishermen meeting at the local store, discussing lack of employment and low cost of lobster. Family at home, wife says he might as well go on welfare. Misunderstanding develops when Herm sees Frank pulling his trap (it got tangled). Union forms after Milt dies in bad seas, rescuers find his boat and prices drop again to 11 cents/lb. Film made to educate people about advantages of lobster cooperatives. // Consists of 7 reels spliced together.