I have a friend who every time I see her asks me if I have watched Captains Courageous yet. The answer is finally, yes—a “yes” with a smile on my face!
I have to admit when I read that it was a movie made in 1937, I wasn’t in any hurry to add it to my queue. I love movies from the 50s but going back to black and white and “no tech” was not my idea of an enjoyable viewing evening. But, I added it to the list and 15 movies later it appeared in my mailbox. I did it cold turkey; no popcorn, no Diet Coke, no Milk Duds. About five minutes into this little jewel, I was hooked.
Captains Courageous is about a boy. No, let me re-phrase that; it’s about an incorrigible brat. Harvey Cheyne (Freddie Bartholomew) is the son of a wealthy widowed businessman. His father, played by Melvyn Douglas, is well intentioned but has decided to hide from the pain in his life so he ships his son off to a fancy boarding school that he practically supports single handedly.
I think I mentioned that Harvey is a spoiled brat. Harvey has everything he needs but never stops asking for more, convinced he can get anything if he yells, lies, pouts or throws a tantrum. Even the other boys his age are disgusted with his antics and when he gets kicked out of school he goes on an ocean cruise with his father but has no friends. Harvey, whose father is on the Board for the Cruise line, decides to “big deal” some boys on the ship and intimidates one of the staff to open up the soda fountain early for rounds for his friends. Acting like a big shot, Harvey drinks six sodas and has to make a quick trip to the rail to deal with his over indulgence. While at the rail of the ship, he falls overboard.
That’s where the message of the movie begins. Harvey is pulled out of the drink by Manuel (Spencer Tracy), and taken back to his the Gloucester fishing schooner where he is one of the fishermen. He shows no gratitude for Manuel saving his life but instead Harvey yells and screams. He attempts bribery but none of it works with these men. This is where the coming of age begins for Harvey Cheyne. His father thinks he is lost at sea and if he is to eat, he must work for the first time in his life.
Captains Courageous is an amazing movie considering it is seventy six, yes I said 76, years old. I still don’t believe what they were able to do with this film in an era where every set had to be constructed for filming rather than digitized. Most of us weren’t even born when this incredible movie was made! Spencer Tracy won an Academy Award for his role as Manuel. The Academy Awards have only been in existence for eighty five years.
This film is an adaptation of Rudyard Kipling book (originally a series of articles for a magazine) by the same name. Captains Courageous is probably only second to his Jungle Book movies by Walt Disney Studios.
Do yourself a favor and put it in your queue and watch it some lazy evening. I might suggest you make a snack food run though. I may just have to watch it again and give it the dignity it deserves, Milk Duds and all! As always I welcome your comments at chastings@rockcliff.com.
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