It was the summer of 1916, and life seemed good.
It was hot. One of the hottest summers on record.
Beach bathing was now all the rage.
Bigger than the bicycle. Even bigger than the horseless carriage.
Across the ocean, they were fighting a war.
But nobody really thought we'd get caught up in it.
Right off our coast, German U-boats prowled the waters, looking for a kill.
But that wasn't our problem.
New York, Philly, Boston were all facing a polio epidemic.
Mothers were desperate to get their kids out of town to our beaches...
... where the air was fresh and clean.
Then, out of nowhere, our own local crisis hit.
It took us by surprise...
... and it knocked us for a loop.
In some, it brought out the best.
In others, well...
That summer was hard.
The hardest of my life.
It started in July with those hot, sunny days.
If you were anywhere near the Jersey shore, all you could think about...
... was getting out of the heat and into that cool, cool water.
Take my word for it! I wouldn't lie to you, folks.
I've used it myself. I'd show you my tan, but I'm wearing too many clothes!
Genuine, guaranteed sun-browning lotion!
- And another sale! - Ahoy there, lifeguard!
Yeah, you!
So how many lives have you saved today?
Hello, Louise.
- All set for a swim, are we, Stan? - Yeah. You two can smirk all you want...
...but while I'm out here, I'll sell one of these suits.
Why not put on a sandwich board and parade up and down.
You are looking for trouble.
And of what sort?
Ladies and gentlemen, step right up! Thank you, sir.
Stanley!
Alex, will you please teach your friend here some manners...
...before the big day arrives? - I'm afraid it's too late for that.
Hey, boys and girls! This way, please!
Stan, did you come down here to advertise your shop...
...or is there something I can do for you?
As a matter of fact, he escorted me, Alex.
I need your opinion, if you'd be so kind.
Which one do you like better?
Stanley won't offer an opinion about anything connected to the wedding.
And I'd value a man's point of view on this one particular thing.
Green.
Goes with your eyes.
- See? - What?
Thank you, Alex. I knew you would take me seriously.
And you can keep the cake.
This is your genuine, guaranteed sun-browning lotion!
Sun-browning lotion. That's what I should do.
- Selling snake oil for 2 bits a bottle. - Don't undersell yourself.
You could be the first one with your foot in the door.
The first one to get it slammed on my nose, you mean.
You don't want to be sitting in that chair five years from now.
Take my word for it. I wouldn't lie to you, folks. I've used it myself.
- Look, I've been thinking. - That's a dangerous pastime for you.
No, I was just wondering...
...with our wedding coming up...
...and, well, you know, you and Louise...
Look, Stan, that was a long time ago. I wish only happiness for both of you.
Happiness, and nothing but.
Thanks, Alex. That means a lot.
To both of us.
I'll see you later.
Ladies and gentlemen!
How you doing? Good to see you. Are you gonna dance?
Charles, don't be long. We have to dress for dinner.
Relax, Mother. There's loads of time. Why don't you come in?
All of you!
- Easy there! - So sorry.
- There's a lot of children around here. - Sure. Sure.
- How is it past the breakers? - It's rough in spots.
I meant the temperature. I can handle the undertow.
Well, it's cold. It'll sap your strength faster than you think.
Thanks for your concern.
Come on!
Hey, come on! You wanna swim?
All right. I'm gonna have to ask you to take this little social hour elsewhere.
- See you, Danny. - See you later.
Chitchat's all right, but you can't let it develop.
Besides being a distraction, it's unprofessional.
I had it covered, I really did.
Old man, gray hair, swimming goggles, 80 yards out, where'd he go?
Crossed into my zone about two minutes ago. He's coming in now.
It's all about concentration.
You can't afford distractions and be effective at this job.
Here. Something to keep you going.
What's...? What's the...?
Hello, Mother!
Charles, be careful!
- Don't go out too far! - He's fine.
Sandy!
Come on!
Look at them all in the water. Isn't this a perfect setting?
Help!
- Help! - Danny!
Help!
Hang on! I got you!
Hang on! Hang on there, buddy!
- Come on, guys, get him out! - Charles!
Grab his legs! Grab his legs!
- Get him out! That's it! - Keep that leg up.
Get him on the beach!
- What happened? - I don't know! Get his leg up!
- Can you hear me? - Oh, my God!
- Find a doctor! - He'll bleed to death if we don't wrap it!
That's it! Come on, keep his leg down!
Hurry up! Let's get to the hotel!
- Picking him up! - Come on, let's go!
Get some help!
Clear the way! Clear the way!
- Look out! - Coming through!
Stop the traffic! Stop the traffic!
Gotta get that blanket on him!
- Clear the way! - Look at that!
- Move! Let's get him to the couch! - Set him on the couch!
Doctor! Where's the doctor?
- Doctor! - Yes.
- He's lost a lot of blood! - All right.
Step back. Step back. All right. Just elevate this leg.
Put the pressure right there.
I'd like you to meet the lifeguard who pulled young Vansant out of the water.
Good job, son.
- Thank you, sir. - Alex...
...Mr. Meehan is the New Jersey Commissioner of Fisheries.
- He'd like to ask you a few questions. - Of course.
Just got back from the morgue. Sight must've given you a shock.
The Vansants have been coming to our hotel since Charles was a boy.
I couldn't have felt worse if I'd lost one of my own.
I spoke with Mrs. Vansant briefly. Please, sit down.
As you can imagine, under the circumstances...
...she wasn't able to help us much.
Now, is it true you told the coroner it was a shark attack?
Yes, sir.
Did you see a shark yourself?
No, but I did see what it was doing. It was...
Did you actually see, with your own eyes...
...something you could positively identify as being a shark?
Well, no, sir, but...
Well, how did you come to the conclusion that it was one?
Well, the man had a huge bite taken out of his leg.
- What do you think it was? - What I think is unimportant.
I have to take an analytical approach. Work with facts.
- All kinds of predators out there. - Ones that attack like that?
I'm not just talking about animal life. We've got German U-boats.
In these very waters. I wouldn't even completely rule out an errant torpedo.
- A torpedo? - Alex...
...Mr. Meehan's simply trying to do his job.
All right, I'm sorry, but whatever it was...
...you are gonna close the beach, at least until you know for sure?
- Aren't you? - I only control this little piece right here.
But so far, Mr. Meehan doesn't think a closing is warranted.
There's never been an unprovoked shark attack here. Not in my lifetime.
It's a scientific fact. Killer sharks won't swim inshore.
- But suppose one did. - Supposing one did.
It would have been a freak occurrence. Is that right?
- Whatever did that... - Would be well on its way back out.
- But what if...? What if it...? - Alex, nobody's asking you...
...to take this on your shoulders.
We'll make sure this gets the attention it deserves.
- Hi, Alex! - Hey, boys!
How was the water today?
- It was a bit rough. - Well, maybe it'll be nicer tomorrow.
- Yeah, I hope so. - See you.
- Hey, Lester. - Yeah?
- Catch one for me? - I'll try.
Hey, Alex! Got some fish for you!
What's the matter? Did you get fired?
- Guess you didn't hear about the attack. - Yes, that I did.
- Was it you that pulled him in? - Yeah.
It takes a mighty brave man to go into the water...
...when he knows he's sharing it with a shark.
- How did you know it was a shark? - That's what the scuttlebutt has.
- You were there. Was it a shark? - Well, I didn't actually see it.
But you saw its work, right? You saw the bite?
- Yeah, I saw the bites. - How big?
That's a big one, all right.
You know, there's a warm current coming in...
...from the south and the east.
It probably pulled in something like a bull, perhaps a tiger.
The man from Fish and Game said a shark wouldn't attack a swimmer.
That shark didn't read the same book as the Fish and Game man.
See, sharks don't think like us. But believe me...
...when that was happening...
...everything made perfect sense to that shark.
Alex, are you all right?
They left the beach open.
They used to say if ever your dog got hold of a chicken, you'd have to shoot it.
Because once it got a taste for poultry...
...it would keep wanting more.
Hey! Hey, Alex, how are you situated?
The fish ain't biting right at the moment...
...and this old shark is just starving to death.
Starving, my foot. You're just thirsty.
Well, that too.
And thirsting to death is even worse.
You're a good boy.
- Come out of that water with 10 toes? - Last time I checked.
If you can stay like that till the end of summer, you'll be ahead of the game.
Thanks, Cap.
Alex!
- Afternoon, Alex! - Afternoon!
- Hi, boys. - Hi, Alex!
Giving you a little more width this time around.
It's very much the modern look.
I think it works nicely.
- Well, well, the man of the hour. - Mr. Mayor.
- Alex, we heard. Are you all right? - I'm fine. Finish what you were doing.
We're finished. Right, Stanley?
Yes, sir. Unless there's anything else you require?
No, no. Fine piece of work.
Did they find out what caused the accident?
Not certain, but possibly a shark.
It's a pity about that boy.
- I understand he was from a good family. - I'll have it ready Thursday.
- Perfect. - Now, how about that second suit?
- Well... - Twenty percent off.
Light imported wool.
With this hot spell we've been having...
Stanley, you're a go-getter. No one can deny that.
Mr. Mayor?
If you knew for sure it was a shark, and it was all up to you...
...would you close the beach?
Well...
...I can't really say, Alex.
I guess I'd leave it to the experts.
Did you hear the A's beat the Red Sox?
Boston's gotta let somebody slip through once in a while.
Alex, keep up the good work.
You sure you're all right?
A man up and dies, maybe from a shark attack, and you get going on baseball?
I didn't wanna put him on the spot right here in my shop.
- He's the mayor. - That's his job!
Okay, okay. But settle down.
You don't just walk into a concert hall and yell "fire" unless you're damn sure.
- Did you forget who's coming to town? - What's that got to do with anything?
Woodrow Wilson, president of the United States, Alex.
He could have his vacation anywhere, but he comes to his home state. Why?
To help promote this sea-bathing craze.
The hotel you work at wasn't even there when we were kids, remember?
Just look at Matawan.
Now it's a real town. You could tear all that down...
...by speaking too soon about something you're not 100 percent sure of.
What if it happens again?
You know, I hope you run for office someday. I'd vote for you.
- It's not just about good business, is it? - That's not what I meant.
Doesn't a man still have to stand for something?
Alex, don't go away mad.
I'll see you later.
Change.
Industrial development has come so rapidly...
...that it has created a world far different...
...than that which we were born into.
But as one frontier closes...
...so another new frontier has opened.
And yet America has never been better equipped...
...to march towards this new frontier...
...with courage, ingenuity...
...but above all, a commitment to making this world a more humane place.
And so I say to you, my fellow Americans, do not fear this change.
Life as we know it will endure.
America will continue to prosper.
Our shores will be safe from war.
Alex.
- Thanks for coming. - It's okay, Mr. Engle.
- A great man, our president. - Yes, sir.
We'll let the Germans and the French fight. He'll keep us out of the war.
Look, son, I want you to know...
...I've been on Commissioner Meehan's back.
He just telephoned to let me know they've been talking with all the experts.
Big museums in New York and such.
- Yes, sir? - They're all saying the same thing.
Assuming it was an attack from a shark...
...there's absolutely no chance of it ever happening again.
A freak occurrence. One in a million.
That's good science, son. Something you can rely on.
Yes, sir.
Thanks for letting me know.
- I guess I'll see you tomorrow. - No day off?
I'd just as soon get back on the job, if it's all the same to you.
Of course. Of course. Good man.
Alex.
Louise.
I'm so glad to see you. I was worried.
It must have been so awful.
I'm fine. Thanks.
Stanley told me what you said, your good wishes for us.
I meant it.
I really hope you're getting what you want.
Of course it's what I want.
So everything turned out for the best.
- That's right. - We looked at each other and agreed.
It wasn't meant to be.
Have you ever...
...had any second thoughts?
That's not a fair question.
Suppose I had.
Louise.
What about you?
- What about me what? - You know what.
The question is no more fair when you ask it.
Fair enough.
He's a good catch, Louise.
You made the right choice.
You're a dear friend.
I hope it will be for always.
The day after Charles Vansant was buried...
... six days after the attack, the trains were full.
The hotels were booked and the beaches were packed.
What happened to Vansant could never happen again.
Still, most people did little more than get their feet wet.
Looks like you're slowing down a bit.
Wouldn't surprise me. I'm out of practice.
- Will you try again? - Try what?
The Olympics. What else?
First, they have to end the war or they'll keep canceling the damn thing.
Second, it's not like I would've made the team.
Sounds like you're still upset about it.
- How old are you? - Nineteen.
Well, I'm not 19 anymore, and I'm still out here on this beach.
And being in the Olympics...
...even if it was a tryout, it would have at least been something.
- Damn! - What?
Those boys are out too far. No, no, no. No whistles. Everyone's too jittery.
They're in Kirkwood's zone. Go tell him to swim out and bring them in closer.
- I'll take care of it. - All right.
Be careful.
Hey, fellas!
- You've drifted too far out. - We're good swimmers.
- We got the tube! - You need to be closer to shore.
- Come on. - Okay, I'll tell you what.
I'll race you to shore, and you can have a head start.
All right!
Come on!
Did you say something?
Swim fast! Straight to shore! Just keep going!
Hurry! Everybody out of the water! Out of the water, now!
Kirkwood, get the boat!
Get out of the water!
Out of the water! Get out of the water!
Everyone out of the water! Get out of the water!
Come on, let's go!
Let's go!
There he is! Row faster!
- Danny! - Danny!
- Get him up! - Come on, get him up!
Danny, Danny!
Come on, stay with us, Danny! Stay with us!
- Do you see anything? - No.
- Danny! - You'll be okay.
Stay with us. You're gonna be okay.
You're gonna be okay.
Stay with us.
Danny. Danny.
Alex, for God's sake, son.
Good science, Mr. Engle?
- Isn't that what you called it? - Calm down...
No chance of it happening again? Isn't that what the experts said?
Nobody should've been in that water. Nobody!
- Alex, all of us are upset. - Will you do one thing for me?
Go take your good science and your no-chance-of-it-happening-again...
...and you explain it all to Danny Bruder's family!
Extra, extra! Killer shark attacks again! Read all about it!
Reward offered! Extra, extra! Killer shark!
Extra, extra! Killer shark attacks again! Read all about it!
Read all about the killer shark!
Killer shark attacks again! Extra, extra!
Good afternoon. I'm Frederick Lucas, director of the museum...
...and I'm joined today by Dr. John Nichols, our resident ichthyologist.
As you're aware, the federal government and the state of New Jersey...
...have asked us to conduct an investigation...
...into the recent shark attacks in New Jersey.
Didn't you two publish an article stating that sharks are never aggressive...
...and that a shark attack on humans is not scientifically possible?
The article you cite was not quite as unambiguous as you portray it.
Nevertheless, you can imagine...
...how concerned and intrigued we are...
...as we watch science turn another page.
What can you say to the 30 mayors along the Jersey shore...
...trying to allay the fears of panicked vacationers?
I'll hand that one off to Dr. Nichols, who will conduct the investigation. John.
We continue to believe that another attack is highly unlikely.
However, caution is always in order. Or perhaps I should say "precaution. "
How do you plan on protecting the public?
You're aware of the steel fences...
...that are being installed in the water at Asbury Park and other shore resorts.
We feel this is an adequate response to restore confidence in the community.
- Any other questions? - Sir, over here, sir!
So, Murphy, are you coming or not?
I don't like New Jersey. It's hot down there.
Oh, and it's not hot here?
We'll be near the water. I know a chap who's got a boat.
With a motor.
All right, but just promise me it doesn't involve any dangerous animals, will you?
It'll be an adventure, Murphy.
A very profitable adventure.
- Give me it! Give me it! Come on! - You gotta catch me!
Then what?
He was running down this way. Running like hell.
Where the hell have you been the last two days?
- We've been worried sick about you. - I'm sorry. I needed a little breather.
You dress down your boss, quit your job and you take off?
There was a matter about shark attacks. I think you heard about them.
All right.
Look, you have my undying support on the principle of the thing.
It took some sand to quit, and I admire you for that.
- There's a "but" in there somewhere. - Alex, you don't think about the future.
Something like this could hurt you.
Suppose you wanted to set up a business.
The sun-browning thing, or... I don't know.
- What are you driving at? - I could talk to Mr. Engle.
I'm sure he'd take you back.
- Would you please kindly tell me...? - Damn it, it looks like you chickened out.
That's what it looks like, huh?
- That what you think? - I didn't say that.
I can't respect a man who'd put people's lives in danger...
...to keep his business open. I don't intend to work for one.
I don't give a damn how it looks to you or anyone else on this earth!
- Alex, I hear you're looking for a job. - I need a bigger town.
Hey, hey. Steady on, now. Steady on.
- Hey, barman? - Yeah, Cap?
- Give us a drink here. - Coming up.
It's all right. I'm buying. I'm buying.
Listen, I got a job.
Gonna put up a big fence to stop those big fish...
...with sharp teeth from nibbling those bathers.
Consequently, I'm in the market for a first mate.
Such a man should be strong of arm, have no brains whatsoever...
...and above all, must be able to hold his liquor.
You got the fence there?
- You got it? - Yeah.
- That's it. - All right.
As soon as we've got this section in, I'm gonna catch us all fish for supper, huh?
While you're at it, why not catch the shark. There's a reward.
Notice you said "the" shark, instead of "a" shark.
Most people assume it's just one.
- Like a mad dog. - And what if they're wrong?
There are more sharks out there this year than ever.
Warm tide bringing them in.
What if they're just in the mood to bite?
It happens to other fish. Why not them?
Well, whichever it is, it won't be happening on this beach anymore.
Amen to that.
Okay, it's the usual drill. We move as fast as we can, stay close to me.
If you see anything, don't panic. Just sing out and swim for the ladder.
- All right? Let's go. - Yes, sir.
- Did you get it tight? - Yeah.
- You ready? - Yeah.
- What? What? - I think I saw something.
- What? - A shark.
I don't see no damn shark.
Get them out of the water.
Come on, swim, you devils. Come on.
Come on. Come on. Swim to the boat!
Come on, come on, swim for your lives!
Come on, all of you. Quick.
Quick. Move it. Move it.
Come on, Alex. Come onboard. Come on. Come on.
- Good boy. - They all in?
- Yes. - Hey, Vic, you got grazed.
Hold on.
- You son of a... - Hey, hey, hey, Vic. Hey!
Belay that.
If any man here does not have the stomach...
...nor the steadiness of hand for what we do, go home now.
Otherwise, take five minutes and we're back to work.
Get that covered.
Don't wanna be in the water with that, eh? Well done.
Well done, boys. Well done. Well done.
Look. There it is right there.
All right, I've come all this way with you.
Now, will you tell me what you're cooking up?
I just wanna walk around for a bit, take it in. It's so exciting, all these people.
The sea, the sun. It's good for you.
Aren't you interested in beach bathing?
It sounds mighty dangerous to me.
Are you aware of the fact they've had shark attacks here?
- Now you're getting the idea. - What?
No. No. No.
- No. No. No. - Murphy.
Come on, I'll buy you a beer.
All right.
Mr. Fisher. Mr. Fisher. Come play. Please come play.
- Please, play ball? - I don't know, fellas. I'm kind of tired.
But the other team has Mr. Burlew, and we need a grown-up too.
- And you're not half bad. - Lester.
- Mom. - Lester. Mr. Fisher's a busy man.
I'm sure you boys can find someone else to play.
Mrs. Stillwell, I was just about to say yes.
As long as I get to be on your son's team.
- Oh, my gosh, let's go. - Yeah, let's go.
- Okey-dokey, who's our best fielder? - Right here.
You guys have been practicing. Again, highballs.
Very good. We're ready to lead. Out into the outfield.
- Over here. Over here, Alex. - Throw it here.
- Hey, throw it back. - Alex, right here.
- Hi, Stan. - Hi, Alex.
Well, I'm just gonna clean these, put them on a plate. Plenty for you, Stan.
Thanks, Cap. Rain check?
I'll meet you in there, Cap.
- Oh, I'm sorry... - I didn't mean to...
- Are we gonna play yet? - I'll meet you at the field in a minute.
See you.
- Sorry I spilled beer on you. - Yeah, I smelled like a saloon.
It took a lot of explaining to Louise.
- I know you meant well. - It wasn't my place to judge.
I got to thinking about what you went through out there on that damn beach.
- Stan, I sent Danny Bruder out there. - Hey.
You were doing your job. And he was doing his.
- Yeah, but he... - Same if it was the other way around.
Danny wouldn't want you to put yourself through all this.
Yeah.
Thanks.
Now...
...time is running out.
- Come in tomorrow, I'll cut you a suit. - I couldn't accept.
I gotta have my best man looking his best.
Is tomorrow good for you, knuckleball?
I'll check my appointments, spitball.
- I never threw a spitball in my life. - I don't know about that.
Oh, yeah.
Losing your touch there, spitball.
Welcome, Dr. Nichols. May I take your bag?
Thank you. I'll keep this one. It's just the other three, thank you.
- Dr. Nichols. What kind of shark is it? - Is there just one?
The museum has no statement to make now.
- Is the president going swimming here? - I would have no idea.
Good afternoon. Suite 44, please.
- Here you are. - Oh, thanks, Eddie.
My pleasure. Bring your catch in here any time.
Here you are.
Thanks, Cap.
Pardon me. I'm looking for Mr. Treadmont.
- Oh, yes, he's right over there. - Alex.
Good evening. I'm John Nichols.
Ichthyologist with the Museum of Natural History in New York.
- Good evening. Could I have a moment? - Sure.
Just let me get these plates out of the way, eh?
- What kind of "ologist" did you say? - Ichthyologist. I'm a fish man.
- Please, have a seat. - Oh, thank you.
I'm here about the shark attacks.
Well, I don't know how much help I can be to you, Mr. Nichols.
I really didn't see that much.
I was under the impression you saw both attacks.
Well, a lot of people nowhere near the place...
...can give you all kinds of gory eyewitness details.
I was too busy saving those boys to pay much mind to the shark.
I understand, but you probably saw more than you think.
Now, in your statement...
...you said that young Mr. Bruder was struck numerous times?
Yes, sir, I did see that.
With great force?
As I understand it, Mr. Bruder's legs were never recovered.
Now, did you see them during the attack?
I'm upsetting you. I'm...
I'm sorry.
I'm here for several days. Perhaps we could talk again?
Yeah. I'm pretty easy to find.
Mr. Nichols?
Just what does an ichthyologist do?
Study fish. Talk about fish. Write about fish.
- And you went to school for this? - Perhaps more than I should have.
Better to be in the water with the fish, huh?
Yeah, except when the big ones bite.
There is that.
Thanks for your time.
On July 12th, 1916, the sun rose at 5:37 a. m.
The Gulf Stream continued its flow inshore, warming the waters.
- Morning, matey. - Hey, Cap.
- Getting a kind of early start, aren't you? - Well...
...gotta get back before it gets too hot.
Got a steady job, a new first mate.
- Might not be bad. You want some? - No, thanks. Gotta get to work.
- Catch me a couple for lunch, will you? - Be my pleasure.
Those fish will be biting today.
- Dad? - Yes, son?
- Can I go swimming after work? - Sure.
By 8:00, it was already hot and humid.
The people of Matawan went to work, ran their businesses...
... took care of their kids.
- Have a good day, son. - Yeah. Thanks, Dad.
Just like they always did.
By 9, it was clear. It was gonna be a real scorcher.
- Morning, Frank. - A good day for the beach.
- Frank, you look confused. - Sometimes I am confused, Stanley.
Well, remember, you arrest the bad guys and you cut the customers' hair.
- Not the other way around. - Thanks, brother.
Never gotten it backwards yet.
Thank God.
With the heat rising, the folks from the cities forgot about sharks...
... and headed for the beaches in record numbers.
It was now 12 days since the first attack.
It's lunchtime, everybody. It's lunch.
- Hey, Lester. - Hey, fellas.
- You look hot. - Yeah. I am hot.
I'm burning up.
You know what you can do about that, don't you?
Yeah, I wish, but I can't.
Eight feet? An 8-foot boat, Michael?
Why, a shark could bite that in half without trying.
We will not hunt with that.
We're just gonna scout around in it, just see what we can see.
You can do as you please. I'm on the next train out of here.
Murphy!
I am disappointed in you.
Now, do I know animals?
We're gonna go out there, take a look...
...then I can bring the fishing boat. I've got a sixth sense about these things.
Eight feet, Michael.
I hope you get back all right.
Hey.
You're a long way from home, aren't you?
Good God.
- Hello? - Yeah. Give me the chief of police.
- Frank, for you. - Hello? Hello?
Hello? Hello?
- Mulsoff. - Yeah. Yeah. Hey, Frank? Frank?
- Slow down. Who's talking? - A shark.
It's Cap. It's Cap, Frank. Listen, listen, there's a...
There's a live shark heading up the crick.
A shark, you say?
That's right. I'm at Matawan Bridge, I looked down...
...there's a large shark, and he's heading up the crick.
- In the crick? - Come on, I'm serious, Frank.
Now, do something about it.
You'd have a better chance of seeing an elephant cooling off there than a shark.
Frank, listen to me. Frank? Frank?
Frank? Damn it!
- Slow down, Cap. Slow down. - Listen, I'm gonna need your boat.
- I need your boat. - Will you listen to me?
Hey, come on, guys. Are we swimming or what?
How much longer, Lester?
- Well, I usually don't get off until 3:00. - Three o'clock?
- Come on, guys. We'll go without him. - Yeah.
- Lester? - Yes, sir?
By my count, you've put on 100 handles so far.
Yes, sir.
Well, I'm afraid I might get overstocked.
I believe you better knock off early today.
Yes, sir. Thanks, Dad.
- Yeah, Lester. Come on. - Come on, let's go, guys.
- This is great. - Hey, boys.
You keep away from the water. There's a shark in here.
There's a shark. Now, you listen to me.
Keep out, or I'll tell your dad and he'll whop you.
Crazy old man.
Let's go.
- Race you. - Come on, let's go.
- Get to the water. - Got it.
- Come on, you guys. - All right, I'm going in.
- Come on in, it's great. - Come on.
Shark! Shark! There's a shark in the crick!
There's a shark in the crick. Don't go near the water!
Get your children out. There's a shark in the crick!
Oh, he's drunk.
Shark! Shark!
- Everybody out! - Lester, get out of the water!
- Shark, Lester. Shark! - Get out!
- Shark! - Lester!
- Shark. - I have to get out?
Oh, my God!
Get out!
Get out! Everybody out! Shark!
- Shark! - Lester!
- Somebody help! - Shark! Shark!
- Lester's in the crick! - He's in the crick!
- Oh, my God. - I better have a look.
- Where's Lester? - Come on.
- For God's sake, let's go. - In the water.
- Red? - Stan? What's going on?
- Lester's in trouble down at the crick. - He's in the crick.
Okay, guys, we gotta be careful. If the yardmaster spots us, he'll run us off.
What will he do to us?
- They said it was a shark. - Oh, come on, Red.
- We're almost four miles upriver. - There's blood out there.
Hit his head on a rock?
Or he started vomiting or something. Oh, my God.
How long has he been under?
Nothing.
Alex! Alex!
- Shark in the crick! - What the hell are you talking about?
We got a damn shark in the crick. Get onboard.
- It's okay. - Not yet. We'll go in a minute.
All right, a little more.
- Keep going, fellas. All the way. - Unroll it.
- Right across. - Frank.
What's all this about?
The current will take the boy right out to sea if we don't catch him in something.
- Anything? - No.
Careful!
What the hell?
Oh, my God.
That's all for me.
I'm getting out of here.
Stan? Stan?
You'd better get out.
You all right?
Get him a towel, please.
Do something!
Somebody get a gun!
Stanley!
Hit him.
- Grab him, quick. - Come on, buddy. Come on.
You there, get ready to take this one ashore.
Let's get some help over here.
Excuse me, please. Excuse me.
- This man is going into shock. - Stay with me, Stan.
- Stanley! - Stay with me, buddy.
Come on, buddy.
You're gonna be all right. You're gonna be all right.
- We need to get him to a hospital. - Stay with me, buddy.
Shark! Shark! Headed downstream.
- There it is. Get your rifle. - Get some dynamite.
- Louise, you stay here. - Get him off.
Careful, now.
- How long to Asbury Park? - Forty minutes nonstop. This is a local.
- Not anymore. Is the track clear? - Just got it clear.
It's against regulation.
My best friend will die if we don't get to a hospital.
- I'm sorry... - My friend will die.
This train is gonna be in Asbury Park in 30 minutes, with you driving or me.
There you go.
Come on!
Stay there. Shark!
- Shark in the water. - Hey, stop splashing me.
Shark!
Hey, stop it.
Shark in the water! Shark! Shark in the water!
- Shark! Get out of there! - What?
- Shark in the water! - What's she saying?
Get out of there!
- Shark! - Where?
Get out of the water!
- Come on. - Joseph! Joe!
Joseph!
Come on!
Hold on.
- Joe. Joe. - Hold on.
Joseph! Hold on!
- Joseph! - Hold on.
Joseph, hold on!
Hey, grab him. Hold on to that boy. Hold on to him.
Hold him tight. Hold him, boys. Hold him.
- Joseph. Joe. Joe. - Thank goodness.
Come here, boy. Come here, boy.
- Joe. - Here, boy.
Joseph.
All right. You'll be all right. You guys okay?
- Yeah. - Go get help, quick.
You'll be all right, lad. You'll be all right.
- Alex. - I'm here, Stan.
I found Lester.
I know.
I found Lester.
With four people killed in 12 days...
... and young Joe Dunn fighting for his life...
... the shark claimed yet another victim...
... the beach towns.
Business was dying.
It seemed like the whole country had gone shark mad.
Lester's body still hadn't been found. But not for lack of trying.
Everyone either wanted to kill the shark...
- Hold it, ladies. ... or make a buck off of it.
Good.
The circus was in town.
This is the real shark, ladies and gentlemen.
Morning.
Do you have a plan for killing this monster?
As tempting as that sounds, sir, that is simply not my main concern here.
It wasn't just the experts and the fakes.
But good people got drawn up in it too.
Look closely, but don't put your hands near the jaws.
For even in death, they have been known to take a man's hand off.
- How long did it take you to land her? - Hard to tell.
Time plays tricks when you're fighting for your life.
- How are you sure this one's the killer? - Because when I hauled her aboard...
...a lump of human flesh and bone fell out of her mouth.
Yeah. Well, that's about all we got time for for this group, I'm afraid.
Thank you very much. Move along. The next group now, please.
- Thank you very much. - Very good, sir.
- Good evening. - Good evening.
I'm wondering if there's any messages.
Alex.
I'm going shark hunting, Dr. Nichols...
...and I'd appreciate it if you could tell me what I'm looking for.
I think what you're after...
...is a great white shark.
Have you got a minute?
It's one of nature's marvels. Carcharodon carcharias.
The biter with jagged teeth.
There were creatures not unlike it in the age of the dinosaurs.
You know, it can grow to be 20 feet or more.
The ones I saw weren't anywhere near that big.
My examination of the victims' wounds confirms that.
It's a juvenile, if it is a great white.
I haven't ruled out the possibility of a bull shark.
The fact that it went up the creek.
Bulls can survive in fresh water.
Lake Nicaragua, up the Zambezi in Africa.
How do I find it?
We've been wrong about so much...
...but my guess is it's a rogue that followed the current inshore...
...found a new source of protein, marked out its territory.
It's still in the bay.
I'd look where it's already been successful.
Successful.
You sure I can't talk you into coming with me?
Well, when the Museum of Natural History goes on a shark hunt, Alex...
...or any other kind of hunt, it must do it in a...
A certain way.
So I, unfortunately, must decline.
Well, I appreciate your time, Dr. Nichols.
Alex?
If you're determined to go ahead with this, please be careful.
Don't do it on your own. The great white is highly aggressive.
It will attack willfully and with astonishing force.
I know.
Hey, wait up.
Afternoon, Eddie. I'm looking for Cap.
- Haven't seen him. - Hello, Alex.
I'm sorry about your friend.
- You're the doctor. - No.
Just a Good Samaritan...
...who, in the course of his profession, gained experience in traumatic injury.
What profession would that be?
I'm a...
A trainer of dangerous animals...
...at the Barnum & Bailey Circus. And a taxidermist. Michael Schleisser.
Please, take a seat.
- So you're a lion tamer? - And other beasts.
I train them...
...hunt them, speak to them and stuff them if they misbehave.
- And you're here for the shark? - Maybe.
That all depends on my mood when I wake up in the morning.
If I said you were going after the shark, would I be correct?
I suppose you would.
- What do you know about sharks? - Little. But it doesn't matter.
I have a feel for animals. I can't explain it.
Let me guess.
You want the shark...
...but it's not about the money.
You do realize there is a reward?
Oh, I do. But you're right, it's not about the money.
So you're seeking either fame or revenge.
You see, Alex, revenge implies a debt.
You owe someone. Maybe a couple of someones.
And you'd pay with the predator's life or with your own.
You don't really care which way it goes...
...which makes you the most dangerous predator of them all.
If this shark could be talked to death...
...you'd sure be the one to do it.
There was a moment when I...
I thought we might be able to help one another, Alex.
But I believe that you would be a danger to me...
...and to yourself, I might add.
Mr. Schleisser, I just don't wanna see anybody else get killed.
You gonna hang that thing up there until it rots?
That thing, as you call it, made me a pretty bundle today.
You went out and caught it on a line, huh?
Well, I guess that means you made the water safe for us all.
All right. All right.
What did you do, go out and buy that thing?
A few miles up the coast.
Paid a couple of dollars.
Damn it, can't a man try to make a buck out of the situation?
Look, Alex...
...I wanted to go after the killer, and I knew you did too.
Especially after Stan.
But you... You see... You see, you get all...
...heated up and go after revenge and that devil gets you...
What are you saying, you did this for me?
- I won't say I didn't. - Four people are dead.
The boy you pulled out of the crick is barely hanging on.
If people think it's safe to go in the water now...
I know that!
You gotta come clean before somebody else gets hurt.
Tomorrow morning, you gotta go into that town and tell them.
You know what they think of me?
I was warning them, they were laughing.
I know, and that was wrong, Cap! But you turned out to be right.
No, no, no.
I'd sooner die than face them.
Well...
...there's only one good way I can think of to avoid that.
Damn you, boy.
You're twice as smart as a revenue man, and three times as devious.
Get your gear and come onboard.
Well, this is all fine and dandy.
If we don't get ourselves killed by your damn shark.
- It's not my damn shark. - Take the helm a second.
Here, hold her steady on that course.
Think like a shark.
Let's see, then...
Think like a shark.
Go into the water like that and...
Hey. Hey.
Comes in on the tide. He was waiting for us.
When the guys were firing in the water. Then he goes out.
He goes out and finds that warm current again.
Now, where is the warm current? Then I can see...
Fifteen...
That's where your damn shark is. Just there.
Exactly there.
Give or take about 100 square miles.
Don't worry. Bring her around to port.
Right, let's lay a line of chum down along the ridge line...
...and do a little trolling for shark.
- Cap, off the bow. - What?
Look.
What the hell?
Some fool's made a shark a tidy breakfast, maybe.
All right.
Let's go and have a look at it.
Shut her down.
Ahoy there.
What the...?
Cap, did you see the size of that thing?
- Schleisser? - What in the hell...
...are you doing here?
Never mind, just leave. Please.
- Thank you. - What are you doing here?
Presumably the same thing that you are.
But I can tell you that I was here first.
That I have an anchor planted and you do not.
You saying you're trying to catch the shark...
...that just about took my head off? - That's precisely my plan.
That shark is bigger than your boat.
She'll swamp you sooner than you can spit.
Sir, let's not debate the finer points of how to catch this shark...
...or whether it is indeed a she or a he.
For some unknown reason, as you've obviously seen...
...it's attracted to this boat, and to the unique personality of the person...
...seated here before you. Don't ask me why.
And suppose you don't get capsized and eaten outright.
You plan to reach out and bop it on the head?
I'm dragging a net.
The shark will get caught up...
...take me on a long ride, then it will die and that will be that.
That is the dumbest idea I've ever heard in my entire life.
If you would be so kind as to just give me a little more room.
Alex.
Alex, this man is as crazy as a loon. Now, he's gonna get us killed.
- What do you wanna do? - I don't know.
- What...? - Holy smoke.
- Shark in the net! - It'll capsize the boat.
- Watch him. - Hang on!
Look at that.
- Schleisser, hang on. - That's it.
Come on.
- Hurry up! He'll be a dead man. - Out to sea we go.
Cap, hurry up!
Hang on, Schleisser!
Get the gaffe. Get the gaffe!
- We gotta try and gaffe him. - You see, I told you.
- Hold on. - Hard aport as she goes.
Holy smoke!
- Back her down, Cap. - Where are you?
Where is he now?
Where?
Man overboard!
Oh, you...!
I see you!
I see you.
- Hand him the gaffe. - Schleisser!
That's it.
- Grab hold. - Come on! Come on!
- Grab ahold! - Grab it!
- Jump, Schleisser. - No.
Hold it. Jump, man, jump!
- Jump. Grab ahold! - Come on. Come on!
Come on. Jump.
Schleisser!
Come on, now. Come on, now. Pull him. Pull him aboard.
- You all right? - Oh, no.
- My boat. - Cap, it's getting away.
We'll see about that.
Damn it.
He's getting away.
Do something, man. He's getting away.
I'm gonna catch him.
Alex, no!
- Swim, boy! - Get back!
- Damn it, boy. Get back aboard! - Come on.
Alex!
Come on!
Get back in the boat now, lad.
- Come on. - Go, Alex!
Come on.
All right. All right. Now, take her around the bow.
Hold her, boys. Hold her.
- Tie her off. - All right. There.
Let her pull for a while, eh?
She's deserved it.
Well, we got us a shark, gentlemen.
Damn him!
It's an odd gift. I don't know where it comes from.
I simply knew where to go.
I knew the shark would come. Attracted to the boat and the person in it.
- Don't ask me why. - Aye, shark bait. That's what he was.
- Tell us about that, captain? - Yeah.
- Tell us a story. - Well, it all began...
...the day I saw this creature...
...from the bridge over Matawan Creek.
Congratulations.
Thanks. You think that's the one?
We won't know till we look inside, but it's a juvenile great white.
I'd say it's a pretty good candidate.
I hope you'll make some time and tell us everything that happened.
Sure.
It would be a great service to the museum.
I knew at that moment that he was...
Dr. Nichols.
Just how would someone...
...go about getting into your line of work?
Well, a person could start by...
...showing up at my office sometime.
It seems all of a sudden I have about 10 million questions to ask you.
My friend, I could safely say the same thing.
See you then?
Were you afraid, sir?
It was, without a doubt, the ride of a lifetime. I can tell you that.
But...
...there was a third person on that boat who deserves to be here.
- Who? - What's your name?
Oh, no. You two are telling it just fine.
Thank you, Alex. Now, Cap will tell you...
...the teeth are big.
- How big? - Very big.
Big? This man has not seen big teeth on a shark.
I can show you big teeth on a shark.
Why, there was once I saw this shark...
Later that day, Dr. Nichols opened up the juvenile white...
...and found pieces of human bone and tissue in its stomach.
The very same day, Lester Stillwell's body was recovered in the creek...
... where Stanley died.
Of the five shark victims, only young Joseph Dunn survived.
Two months after the attack...
... he walked out of the hospital with his brother Michael...
... a pair of crutches and the limp he'd have for the rest of his life.
That winter, the Gulf Stream that had brought the deep-ocean predators...
... into shore moved back out to sea.
The shark attacks of 1916...
... were over.
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