Dreams of Gold: The Mel Fisher Story

Dreams of Gold: The Mel Fisher Story is a 1986 American made-for-television drama film starring Cliff Robertson and Loretta Swit. It is based on the actual adventures of Treasure Hunter Mel Fisher and premiered on CBS on November 15, 1986.

Dreams of Gold: The Mel Fisher Story
GenreDrama
Written byStanford Whitmore
Directed byJames Goldstone
StarringCliff Robertson
Loretta Swit
Ed O'Ross
Music byErnest Gold
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producerMax A. Keller
ProducersCharles Hairston
Daniel Helfgott
Production locationsSt. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
CinematographyEric Van Haren Noman
EditorEdward A. Biery
Running time95 minutes
Production companiesInterplanetary Pictures Productions
La Rosh Productions
Release
Original networkCBS
Picture formatColor
Audio formatMono
Original releaseNovember 15, 1986 (1986-11-15)

Background

The role of Fisher was played by Cliff Robertson and his wife Deo was played by Loretta Swit.[1] The story centers around Fisher's hunt for the Atocha treasure,[2] and Fisher's 17 obsession-driven year search for the galleon Nuestra Señora de Atocha that vanished in 1622 while being caught off the coast of Florida. It also looks at Fisher's obsession and the effect it had on his family,[3] and the courts that were trying to shut him down.[4]

During the making of the movie, Cliff Robertson was approached by Mel Fisher himself, telling him he had a map and they would meet again.[5] Both Robertson are pictured in George Walter Born's Historic Florida Keys: An Illustrated History of Key West & the Keys, with Robertson holding a small treasure chest of silver coins and a gold chain.[6]

Deo Fisher mentioned one inaccuracy in the film. Her character played by Loretta Swit was cooking in the film and she commented that everyone that knew her knows she didn't cook.[7]

Technical and other

The film's production company was Inter Planetary Productions.[8] It was released on November 15, 1986.[9] The DVD was released on February 10, 1998.[10]

VHS releases
  • Goldhill Home Media - November 21, 2000 – 87 minutes
  • BWE Video, January 1, 2000 - Part of a set of four VHS tapes, with a total running time 371 Minutes
    Vol 1: Dreams of Gold, Narrated by Cliff Robertson and Loretta Switt.
    Vol II: Gold Rush on Mount Diwata (Part 1&2); The Sunken Peacock Throne; and The Treasure Ships of the Bass Straight.
    Vol III: Treasure of the Kronan; The Ghost Fleet of Vigo;and Secrets of the Cocos Island.
    Vol IV: Yamashita's Gold; The Emerald King of Rio Minero; and The Last Voyage of Captain Kidd.

DVD releases
  • The Simitar, 7278 release runs for 87 minutes and is in monophonic sound format.[11]

Soundtrack
Songs featured in the movie
  • The Ebonites Steel Orchestra - "Blue Nose"
  • The Ebonites Steel Orchestra - "True Love"
  • Kevin McKnelly and Don Sterling - "She's On My Mind"
  • Saloon - "Dreams Of Gold"
  • Saloon - Ridin' The Wind"
  • Saloon - Never Gonna Go Back There Again"
  • Saloon - Doin' The Best That You Can"[12]

Cast
List
Name Role
Cliff Robertson Mel Fisher
Loretta Swit Deo Fisher
Ed O'Ross Trooper Hudley
Scott Paulin Don Kincaid
Jennifer Runyon Angel Fisher
Judi Evans Penelope Cabot
Bruce Toms Kane Fisher
Kerry Remsen Taffi Fisher
Jonathan Hogan David Horan
Martin Rabbett Dirk Fisher
William Zabka Kim Fisher
Steven Williams Mo
Don Hood Luther Banks
Liam Sullivan Rupert Carmody
Brett Porter Duncan Mathewson
Byrne Piven Local Fisherman
Tim Wise 1st Panel Member
David Orange 2nd Panel Member
Sandra P. Davis Tourist
Tony Ayer 3rd Panel Member
Eric Matthews Marshall

[13]

References
  1. New York Magazine, November 17, 1986 - Page 84 Dreams of Gold: The Mel Fisher Story, (November 15; 9 to 11 PM; CBS)
  2. Florida in the Popular Imagination: Essays on the Cultural Landscape of the Sunshine State, Steve Glassman - Page 214
  3. RadioTimes - Dreams of Gold: the Mel Fisher Story, REVIEW by John Marriott
  4. The Movie Scene - Dreams of Gold: The Mel Fisher Story (1986), Review, Fisher of Dreams
  5. Historical Diver Magazine, Historical Diving Society U.S.A, 1999 - Page xi
  6. Historic Florida Keys: An Illustrated History of Key West & the Keys, By George Walter Born - Page 71
  7. International Legends of Diving - Mel Fisher Treasure Hunter and First California Dive Shop Owner
  8. Movies Made for Television: The Telefeature and the Mini-series, 1964-1986, Alvin H. Marill - Page 118
  9. Movies Made for Television: The Telefeature and the Mini-series, 1964-1986, Alvin H. Marill - Page 576
  10. moviefone - Dreams of Gold: The Mel Fisher Story (1986)
  11. Doug Pratt's DVD: Movies, Television, Music, Art, Adult, and More!, Volume 1, By Douglas Pratt - Dreams of Gold (Simitar, 7278)
  12. Sweet Soundtrack - Dreams of Gold: The Mel Fisher Story (1986)
  13. Rotten Tomatoes - Dreams of Gold: The Mel Fisher Story (1986)
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