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Captains Courageous (11-May-1937)

Director: Victor Fleming

Writers: John Lee Mahin; Marc Connelly; Dale Van Every

From novel: Captains Courageous by Rudyard Kipling

Musical Score by: Franz Waxman

Producer: Louis D. Lighton

Keywords: Action/Adventure

NameOccupationBirthDeathKnown for
Lionel Barrymore
Actor
28-Apr-1878 15-Nov-1954 Young Dr. Kildare
Freddie Bartholomew
Actor
28-Mar-1924 23-Jan-1992 Little Lord Fauntleroy
John Carradine
Actor
5-Feb-1906 27-Nov-1988 In over 200 B movies
Melvyn Douglas
Actor
5-Apr-1901 4-Aug-1981 Being There
Charley Grapewin
Actor
20-Dec-1869 2-Feb-1956 Tobacco Road
Walter Kingsford
Actor
20-Sep-1881 7-Feb-1958 British-American character actor
Mickey Rooney
Actor
23-Sep-1920 6-Apr-2014 Actor in Andy Hardy comedies, musicals
Spencer Tracy
Actor
5-Apr-1900 10-Jun-1967 Two consecutive Best Actor Oscars

CAST

with
Freddie Bartholomew   ...   Harvey
Spencer Tracy   ...   Manuel
Lionel Barrymore   ...   Disko
Melvyn Douglas   ...   Mr. Cheyne
Charley Grapewin   ...   Uncle Salters
Mickey Rooney   ...   Dan
John Carradine   ...   Long Jack
Oscar O'Shea   ...   Cushman
JackLa Rue   ...   Priest
Walter Kingsford   ...   Dr. Finley
Donald Briggs   ...   Tyler
Sam McDaniels   ...   Doc
Billy Burrud   ...   Charles

REVIEWS

Review by Matthew Adams (posted on 6-Nov-2007)

An outstanding adaptation of this Rudyard Kipling story based on the theme of a father's redemption with his son. Freddie Bartholemew is totally convincing as the poor little rich boy who learns a few hard lessons in life courtesy of Spencer Tracy in a most unusual role of a Portugese fisherman. The movie is rich in characterisation, and beautifully crafts the emotional bond between Harvey (Bartholemew) and Manual (Tracy) without descending to shmaltz, rare for this era. The recent remake with Karl Marlden totally lost this ability. The cast is flawless - Lionel Barrymore as Captain Drisko, relishing this hard salty role. Mickey Rooney is wasted as his son, Dan, a bit part in this movie. Melvyn Douglas is terrific as the child's disaffected busy tycoon father. This movie subtley takes you in and very cleverly crafts the change in Harvey's character from that of a spoilt rich boy to one who is caring, while maintaining other elements of his character; his impetuousness, his brashness. This is a refreshing movie. Wonderfully crafted in the movie industry's infancy. It shows how talented child actors can be (especially compared to today's offerings). However be warned - this wonderful heart-warming story must only be watched with a box full of tissues beside you! Believe me, you'll need them! A wonderful movie. Definiteley on the top ten list of movies you must see before you die.


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