Captains Courageous
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Movie Reviews of Captains Courageous
Movie Review: True Classic
Summary: 5 Stars
"Captains Courageous" is a 1937 film with Freddie Bartholomew, Melvin Douglas, Spencer Tracey, Lionel Barrymore and Mickey Rooney, directed by the great Victor Fleming from a Rudyard Kipling novel. The film is everything you'd expect with such a pedigree.
Freddie Bartholomew (1924-92) was one of the most famous child actors of the 1930s, appearing in "David Copperfield" (1935), "Anna Karenina" (1935), "Little Lord Fauntleroy" (1936), and "Lloyds of London (1936) prior to this film, and "Kidnapped" (1938). Freddie gives his usual endearing performance as the spoiled rich kid.
Melvyn Douglas (1901-81) plays his rich father. Douglas was a great actor, nominated 3 times for an Oscar with 2 wins ("Being There" in 1979 and "Hud" in 1963). He won an Emmy for a 1967 episode of CBS Playhouse and was nominated for a 1965 performance of "Inherit the Wind". I remember him best in "I Never Sang for My Father" (1970).
Spencer Tracey (1900-67) was another giant of the film world. He received 9 Oscar nominations and won twice, his first for this film and followed closely by "Boy's Town" (1938), although personally I think "Inherit the Wind" (1960) and "Judgment at Nuremberg" (1961) were his best performances. Tracey plays a Portuguese fisherman who rescues Freddie from the sea.
The great Lionel Barrymore (1878-1954) plays the ship's captain. He appeared in more than 200 films between 1908 and 1956, and was twice nominated for an Oscar, winning once ("A Free Soul" ) in 1931 Though he's probably best known as the evil banker in "It's a Wonderful Life" (1946) and from his recurring roles in the Dr. Kildare and the Dr. Gillepsie films, he gave us many memorable performances - as the innkeeper in "Key Largo" (1948), Thaddeus Stevens in "Tennessee Johnson" (1942), Grandpa in "You Can't Take it With You" (1938), and Billy Bones in "Treasure Island" (1934). This is Barrymore's final film before arthritis made him use crutches and finally put him in a wheelchair.
Unlike Freddie Bartholomew, Mickey Rooney's (1920) career lasted, and he made nearly 300 films from 1926 to 2010. He was a major star of the silent era with his "Mickey's" shorts and then went on to save MGM with his "Andy Hardy" series and his films with Judy Garland. He won a Juvenile Oscar in 1939 and went on to garner 4 nominations. He was nominated 3 times for an Emmy and won once ("Bill" in 1981).
BTW - notice how Mickey allows Freddie to be the star. Mickey was generally low key whenever he played next to Freddie. We see this same relationship in "Little Lord Fauntleroy" the previous year. This was their third film together.
John Carradine (1q906-88) plays a sailor who takes a dislike to Freddie. Carradine was a terrific character actor. He was a part of John Ford's Stock Company and gave memorable performances in "Prisoner of Shark Island" (1936), "Stagecoach" (1939) and "The Grapes of Wrath" (1940). He's best known to us today for his continuing role as Serenity Johnson in son David's TV series "Kung Fu" (1972-1975).
The film was directed by Victor Fleming (1889-1949). Fleming is best known for "The Wizard of Oz" (1939) and "GWTW" (1939) for which he won an Oscar. He made 49 films including "Treasure Island" (1934) and "Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" (1941). We worked often with Spencer Tracey.
This film won an Oscar for Tracey and 3 more nominations, including Best Picture (won by "Life of Emile Zola"), Best Editing, and Best Writing. It is a true classic.
Movie Review: Courage in an unlikely place...
Summary: 5 Stars
I just want to say that I absolutely LOVE Spencer Tracy. The man was one of the finest actors of all time, and when you consider that my modern-day actorly crush falls on (and all over) Russell Crowe, who is like the modern-day equivalent to Spencer Tracy, it all makes sense. The man was a genius; so comforting and honest in his acting and a complete force to be reckoned with. The man disappeared in every role, while never losing that little piece of himself that made his performances so endearing.
`Captains Courageous' marks the first of Tracy's two back-to-back Oscar wins. His second came for `Boy's Town'. I find it kind of telling that both of his wins, while early in his career, underscored his knack for playing fatherly figures that exuded warmth and an earnestness that would prove a signature method for Tracy.
The film tells the story of a spoiled brat named Henry who suffers from the loss of a mother and a workaholic father. With no determinable guidance, Henry is a nuisance to all he comes in contact with, so much so that he is forced out of school and in the care of his father for a few months. While on a cruise, Henry makes a foolish decision in order to gloat and winds up overboard. He is then rescued by a Portuguese fisherman named Manuel and recruited aboard a fishing-boat with no hope of seeing dry land or his father for three months. Initially, Henry is his old self; rude, demeaning and unworkable, but he is soon softened by the kind heart of Manuel and once he comes under his wing, he begins to grow as a person.
There are many films that work a similar theme, showing how the guiding hand of a wiser man can mold the hearts of the young and immature, but very few can match the strength of `Captains Courageous', a beautifully balanced film that melds genres so effortlessly. It is a dramatic familial piece, a witty character study and an exciting seafaring adventure all in one, and it never feels uneven or unfocused.
The entire cast is splendid. In fact, this is one of my favorite ensemble pieces. Everyone involved fleshes out their characters brilliantly; adding layer upon layer to the proceedings. Spencer Tracy earned that Oscar despite the accent work (which was spotty in parts) because he breathed so much life and honesty into his character. Freddie Bartholomew delivers one of my favorite child performances of all time here, understanding fully his characters lack of charm and chipping away at that rough exterior with sublime realism. You believe every character arc he undergoes. Lionel Barrymore is outstanding as the fishing-boat's captain, lacing his stern deliveries with a cheeriness of heart; letting us know that above all else, this man is a father. Melvyn Douglas has just a few scenes, but he uses them admirably; giving us a look at a man misguided by his own ambitions. Even Mickey Rooney, who shot to major success the following year in that `other' Spencer Tracy Oscar winner, is wonderfully restrained here (something he didn't do a whole lot of during his career).
Like I said, everyone is just great here.
So, if you want a heart-swelling dramatic adventure film, this is the one you should reach for without hesitation!
Movie Review: SPENCER TRACY AND THE SEA ACT AS SURROGATE FATHERS TO FREDDY BARTHOLOMEW
Summary: 5 Stars
Rudyard Kipling's classic boy's tale of the sea is inhabited by Freddy Bartholomew as spoiled rich boy Harvey, Spencer Tracy as compassionate fisherman Manuel, Lionel Barrymore as good-natured Captain Disko, and Melvyn Douglas as Harvey's negligent father. Freddy Bartholomew, who received top billing in this film, is perhaps the best child actor who has ever lived, simply because he really seems to be acting rather than just looking cute. Spencer Tracy, who won the Oscar for Best Actor for his role, is one of the best adult actors of all time. As if that weren't enough, Lionel Barrymore (It's a Wonderful Life) and Melvyn Douglas (Ninotchka, Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House) are two of the top character actors. And, to top it off, you've got John Carradine and Mickey Rooney in supporting roles. You can't beat the story or the cast.
Victor Flemming (Wizard Of Oz, Gone With The Wind, The Good Earth) did a superb job directing his talented cast and crew through the John Lee Mahin/Marc Connelly/Dale Van Every screenplay, which tells the story of how a spoiled rich boy, out of sorts with himself and the world, falls off a cruise ship into the sea, and is fished out by a friendly Portuguese fisherman named Manuel. Once on board Manuel's fishing schooner, Harvey learns he won't be able to return to shore for three months, until the fishermen have finished their season of fishing. At first he fights his plight; but through the love and patience of Manuel, Harvey soon learns to fit in and become a contributing member of the crew. He makes mistakes; but Manuel helps him learn and eventually grow into a boy of character.
This is a great father-son film. It's also a wonderful film about the sea and sailing. There are some breathtaking shots of ships, especially during a race between two schooners. There are some wonderful relationships. It's interesting to see how each adult deals with Harvey, and how each changes in that relationship as Harvey changes. One of the best scenes of the film, and the one that got to me the most, is at the very end, when Harvey is going home with his dad. First we see the dinghy in which Harvey and Manuel fished being pulled behind his dad's car. Harvey couldn't bear to part with it, so his dad brought it with them. Then the camera pans to the back of the car, where we see Harvey and his dad in the back seat through the window. Harvey is animated with enthusiasm as he is obviously telling his dad about all his adventures - even to the point of exaggerating the size of the first fish he caught. It's a great final statement about the difference an experience like that and a friend like Manuel can make in a boy's life.
Waitsel Smith
Movie Review: A True Classic
Summary: 5 Stars
I remember overhearing a conversation that included my father and other men around his age talking about the movies they loved as young people. All of them agreed that one film was perhaps the greatest film of their youth: CAPTAINS COURAGEOUS. I think it's easy to see why this is the case. The story may be old fashioned and this one time classic is hardly read anymore, but the story of young Harvey Cheyne coming of age aboard a Gloucester fishing schooner has a way at tugging at the heart and if given the chance, people can change.
On of the reasons the film works so well is the acting. Depression era child star Freddie Bartholomew plays the incorrigible Harvey. Bartholomew plays the role with great skill. He's miserable enough that we're glad when he finally falls overboard, yet sympathetic enough that we are glad he does get rescued. The transformation is believable and by the films end, we begin to believe in Harvey and even grow to like him. Spencer Tracy won an Oscar as Manuel, the Portuguese fisherman who in some ways becomes the only true father figure Harvey has ever known. Today Tracy would never get away with playing a Portuguese fisherman with his Irish looks and somewhat clumsy attempt at an accent, yet his skill in portraying his character is undisputed. Lionel Barrymore is perfectly cast as the old salt New England sea captain Disko Troop. Mickey Rooney is somewhat underused as the captain's son Dan. My guess is that if the film were made a few years later when Rooney became a matinee idol, he would not be cast in such a small role or the role would be expanded.
While a great cast carries the film, there are also smaller details that make the film powerful. The original sea shanties add a certain flavor. The special effects of the sea are magnificent for their time, and the sailing scenes are stupendous. This was no small feat in the 1930's. The film certainly is a timeless classic. People who purchase this DVD will also love the bonus features; trailers of the 1946 re-release, a short film THE LITTLE MAESTRO and a cartoon LITTLE BICK CHEESER.
Movie Review: "Yo Ho Little Fish Don't Cry Don't Cry, Don't Cry" ~ Right of Passage On The High Seas
Summary: 5 Stars
Who could ever forget the image of happy-go-lucky Manuel Fidello (Spencer Tracy) turning the handle on his little accordion box singing in that gentle, infectious Portuguese accent, "Yo ho little fish don't cry don't cry". If you're a fan of classic films you know this is a scene from Spencer Tracy's signature movie, `Captains Courageous' released in '37.
Plot: Harvey (Freddie Bartholomew), an Ill-mannered rich kid falls overboard off a luxury vessel and finds himself adrift until a passing merchant fishing ship pulls him out of the sea. He is taken under the tutorage of his rescuer, a friendly Portuguese fisherman named Manuel. Harvey is initially hostile to the thought of having to obey orders and work for his room and board until the ship returns to dock, but eventually comes to understand the important lessons in life being imparted by Manuel. Before his adventure at sea is over he'll learn what it means to be a man.
This is without a doubt my favorite Spencer Tracy film and a story the entire family will enjoy. It's beautifully filmed with a tremendous cast which includes along with Spencer Tracy and Freddie Bartholomew the legendary Lionel Barrymore as Disko and John Carradine as Long Jack.