When Ricks (Brian Kelly) spots sharks invading Coral Key's waters, he enlists the help of shark expert Marshall Thompson (as Dr. William "Bill" Tollner), who is experimenting on a new shark repellent. Soon, the men go down, in a protective cage, to test the repellent; while Sandy (Luke Halpin) mans the deck. Bud (Tommy Norden) and Flipper are ordered to stay safely at home; but, after Bud hears an explosion, he paddles out into the shark infested waters
where Sandy is desperately reeling in Ricks
as the sharks swarm
Flipper and the Ricks family are in fine form for this episode; though, it is a fairly routine shark story, with obvious "stock" footage. Marshall Thompson impresses in his guest spot; a natural, he will shortly star as Dr. Marsh Tracy in "Daktari" - a TV adventure series with production and thematic parallels to "Flipper". Mr. Marshall will direct several upcoming "Flipper" episodes. In fact, the show "Flipper" is, beginning with this episode, a "Daktari" training ground for the forthcoming show's stars Thompson and Cheryl Miller.
**** The Day of the Shark (1/16/65) Ricou Browning ~ Brian Kelly, Luke Halpin, Tommy Norden
