[2] In 1875 a group of adventurers meet in Singapore to look for pearls in the Pacific Islands: ship's Captain Bucko Larson, his First Mate Williams, Peg Legged Foster and bar girl and adventuress Ruby Taylor.

They arrive at the island; however, when Ferro wants more than his agreed third of a share, Bucko throws him over the side to his doom.

Passing out gifts, the amiable Bucko recruits the native divers to obtain pearls.

After they leave the island on their honeymoon Bucko, hellbent on greater profit, forces the divers at gun point into more dangerous work.

Producer Edward Small announced the project in 1938 with the stars to be Jon Hall and Sigrid Gurie, both of whom would be borrowed from Sam Goldwyn.

[9] Filming was pushed back to 15 September so Small could borrow director Charles Vidor from Columbia.

Locations included Balboa Island, Newport Beach with underwater scenes shot at Santa Catalina.