Fish Tales

A Smith Called Pete produces and narrates this Technicolor one-reeler about sports fishing, particularly angler Ernie St. Clair, described as a 'champion fisherman.' Does this mean a champion liar? It could be.

Pete claims that Ernie uses a 6-pound line, and when he strikes a salmon, he goes swimming along, until the fish get tired. Given the near-whitewater conditions, I'd get tired way before, or the pull on the line would exceed six pounds and it would break, or I would decide that if I wanted salmon, I could buy some at the bagel store. Not Ernie! He goes swimming along for three or four miles, and when the fish gets tired and gives up, Ernie tosses them back in the water. This is what he calls fun.

This film deserves a higher rating than shown here! Quaint wordplay and wry fishing humor highlight this short film. The narrator gives an account of fishing tricks used by a young boy. Later the narrator gives running commentary on a fisherman who pursues a slippery salmon using an unconventional method.

Fish Tales (1954)

** (out of 4)

Bland Pete Smith short has the benefit of being in Technicolor but it offers little else. Basically we get what the title says as we hear about three different fish tales. The first deals with a boy using a balloon to catch fish. The second has a young kid tying his line to his dog's tail. The third story features Ernie St. Claire as he shows how to catch salmon and his method includes going with the fish down dangerous streams. Thankfully this short just runs for 9-minutes and even that seems a bit too long. The biggest problem is that this short just really doesn't offer anything overly interesting. Yes, the first two stories are mildly cute but that's it. The third story takes up about six-minutes of the running time and it's just a complete dud. There's nothing interesting about this person and his adventure down stream is just boring. Even Smith's narration really doesn't add any life.

Two old men are telling fish tales at the docks. One of them tells the story of his grandson who caught a whole line of fish with a balloon. In another story, the boy uses his dog to catch fish while his mother calls him in. Then there is fly fisherman Ernie St. Claire who swims out into the rapids to follow a fish.

I like the Technicolor and I like the old fashion style due to the subject matter. It's fitting in its oldness including Pete Smith's narration. I'm sure that it was old fashion when it was made. It feels comfortable like an old moth-eaten sweater. I do like the kid's stories more.