Littlehampton's Lobsters

'Lobsters' by Laszlo Moholy-Nagy

'Lobsters' was created between 1935-36 by Laszlo Moholy-Nagy during a short stay in Littlehampton, West Sussex.

"England eats three million lobsters every year. Upon this appetite depend’s the fishermen’s livelihood. Lobsters, an unusual film of an unusual subject brings to the screen for the first time the struggle above and below the surface of the sea. Aboard the boat with the fisherfolk – and over the side with the lobster pots – down – down the camera goes – a thrilling descent to the bed of the sea, into the life of the lobster. Intimate and interesting are the incidents depicted including a rarely seen and never before recorded occurrence. The brilliant photography of Moholy-Nagy is accompanied by a lucid and amusing commentary – and some lively music specially composed by Arthur Benjamin. One cannot but marvel at this vivid undersea drama – for interest – instruction – and entertainment. Lobsters is a film for every audience."

(Text reproduced from original promotional leaflet announcing the premiere of Lobsters).

Press reviews of the premiere at Leicester Square announced:

"Gourmets’ eyes will open at the ease with which the lobster extracts himself from his own shell and eats it" - The Daily Express

The film was shot in 16mm. It is 18 minutes long.