The film introduced the popular song Flipper, by By Dunham and Henry Vars and inspired the subsequent television series of the same name (1964–1967) and film sequels.
Sandy Ricks (Luke Halpin) is a young boy living in the Florida Keys who befriends a dolphin injured by a harpoon. His father, fisherman Porter Ricks (Chuck Connors) is upset, as dolphins compete for fish, which jeopardizes the family income and is upset Sandy neglects his chores.
After "Flipper" (as Sandy names his new friend) recovers from the wound, the dolphin puts on a show to entertain the neighborhood children. Later, however, the animal devours Porter's entire catch of pompano. Porter harshly berates Sandy for allowing Flipper to jump into the holding pen of valuable fish waiting to go to market, "What's wrong with you boy? How old are you, 12, — almost in your teens, or are you five, — a child who doesn't have the sense to know what his next meal depends on?" Reduced to tears, Sandy retreats to his bedroom as Porter's wife Martha (Kathleen Maguire) remonstrates that "he's only a boy".
Determined to make up for the loss, Sandy sets off to find more fish, and is led by Flipper to a large school of fish near a reef. Later, Sandy is rescued from a threatening shark by Flipper, and the grateful father draws closer to his son. Porter Ricks is finally convinced there are enough fish for both the local residents of the area and the dolphins.
Main cast
Chuck Connors... Porter Ricks
Luke Halpin .... Sandy Ricks
Joe Higgins .... Mr. L.C. Parett
Kathleen Maguire .... Martha Ricks
Directed by James B. Clark
Produced by Ivan Tors
Written by Ricou Browning
Jack Cowden
Starring Chuck Connors
Luke Halpin
Joe Higgins
Kathleen Maguire
Music by Henry Vars
Cinematography Lamar Boren
Editing by Warren Brown
Distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release date(s) August 14, 1963
Running time 87 min.
Country United States
Language English
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