Captains Courageous

Rating:
Summary: Timeless Classic,
Review: In todays violent world this movie is a respite into an age of basic values now deemed redundant. Spencer Tracy, a Portuguese, mandolin playing fisherman plucks an arrogant rich kid (Freddy Bartholomew)out of the sea who had just fallen off his dad's cruise ship. Not having their full catch of fish the ship remains at sea for several months. The crusty but wise Captain (John Barrymore)assigns the boy to Tracy. The theme centers on these two developing a bonding relationship that later provides the strength and maturity the boy needs in catastrophe. A superb cast, superbly presented. Recommended for all ages, and I believe especially for parents.

Rating:
Summary: Not the best version of Captain's Courageous
Review: Rudyard Kiplings beautiful novel, Captain's Courageous, is about the experiences of a rich, spoiled 15 year old boy who must adapt to the working man's life on a fishing schooner after falling off a luxurious ocean liner. The part didn't really fit Freddie Bartholonew, who was about 13 at the time and looked no more than 10. But he was a very popular child actor with lots of box office draw, so Hollywood destroyed the character of Harvey Cheyne in an effort to make it fit Freddie Bartholomew. It wasn't Bartholomew's fault, but it spoiled the film. Another version was released in 1977 starring Karl Malden, Ricardo Montalban, and Jonathan Kahn as Harvey Cheyne. This is an execellent version, and the one I would like to see made available on DVD.

Rating:
Summary: Spoiled Brat Civilizes By Example of Hero
Review: Spencer Tracy won his first of 2 consecutive Best Actor Oscars for his portayal of a seaman who befriends a "spoiled rich kid" (child star Freddie Bartholomew). The boy is impossible and seems a hopeless case at the beginning of the voyage, but by Tracy's example the kid mellows into a "human being". The climax is a disaster that leaves Tracy so horribly hurt, that he begs fellow ship mates to "let him go to the sea". The scene is a heartbreaker, seeing the boy sobbing and pleading for Tracy to not give up. When the boy is returned to his "care free" home, he is a different person. The man responsible was not there to accept the thanks of a greatful father. -- This is one of Hollywood's true tear jerkers. Anyone enjoying a good cry will not be disappointed by "Captains Courageous"!

Rating:
Summary: Spoiled Brat Civilizes By Example of Hero
Review: Spencer Tracy won his first of 2 consecutive Best Actor Oscars for his portayal of a seaman who befriends a "spoiled rich kid" (child star Freddie Bartholomew). The boy is impossible and seems a hopeless case at the beginning of the voyage, but by Tracy's example the kid mellows into a "human being". The climax is a disaster that leaves Tracy so horribly hurt, that he begs fellow ship mates to "let him go to the sea". The scene is a heartbreaker, seeing the boy sobbing and pleading for Tracy to not give up. When the boy is returned to his "care free" home, he is a different person. The man responsible was not there to accept the thanks of a greatful father. -- This is one of Hollywood's true tear jerkers. Anyone enjoying a good cry will not be disappointed by "Captains Courageous"!

Rating:
Summary: A marvelous tribute to fathers, sons, and friends.
Review: Thank God this is in TCM's library; it was just aired this past Father's Day weekend, and I watched it for the first time in twenty years. It still resonates as a father/son film, a buddy film, a coming-of-age film, and an adventure story. Even the film's moment of transition (roughly 24 minutes in) seems to be paying homage to 'other world' adventures like THE WIZARD OF OZ and ALICE IN WONDERLAND- except that Alice is a bratty little boy this time- easily the brattiest kid you'll ever meet in Freddie Bartholomew. Once Bartholomew begins his adventure with fisherman Spencer Tracy so does an amazing battle of wits, dialogue, great script, most of all, awesome performances. (Who would've thought the macho Victor Fleming would direct a story with such sensitivity and warmth amidst not only the leads but supporting castmembers Melvyn Douglas, Lionel Barrymore, and the up-and-coming Mickey Rooney?) Even though Tracy capped (and deserved) the Oscar, 12-year-old Bartholomew is a revelation as he learns about humility, honor, friendship, and growing up throughout the entire film. (A bewitching sequence shows Bartholomew play a prank which backfires on him and nearly costs him his friendship with Tracy.) The film could be accused of datedness, but it is a testimony to the basic Kipling story that it has been filmed three times, twice for television. (Can a Broadway musical be far off?) Full of wonderful black-and-white cinematography and ocean-fog special effects, it needs to come to DVD immediately. And I guarantee you'll cry like a baby with a smile on your face.

Rating:
Summary: Spencer Tracy's best performance!
Review: There's something strange about "Captain Courageous", in a way that the story is overdone, never entirely convincing, and always, always predictible. But it grabs you with it deep into the sea, and never let you breathe. Spencer Tracy makes the movie alone, and entirely alone. He gives his best performance that I know of, and his relationship with Harvey( the little kid) is so touching and vibrant that you feel for both of them, reflecting somehow a reality when you're fishing for three months on a boat. The storm sequence, is also very convincing considering the film was made in 1937, and that's a very impresisve achievement. I never found myself thinking once that it looked fake, I was just so moved by the characters....

Rating:
Summary: Excellent life values movie!
Review: This is a "must see" for anyone 6 years and up. The story is beautifully told through the superb acting of Tracy and company. Although it's a few decades old, the moral of the story is as valuable today, perhaps more so, than it was decades ago. I originally rented the movie, but am purchasing a copy for my own video library.

Rating:
Summary: I Urge You To See This Film!
Review: This is a marvelous movie about a spoiled, insecure child who brags, manipulates, and uses his wealth & positon to feel strong & good about himself (sound like anyone you know?). After being suspended from school for his antics he is dragged to Europe to accompany his father on a business trip. En route, he accidentenly falls overboard from the oceanliner (that's how they travelled in those days) and is rescued by a fisherman. He learns his lesson, matures and acquires integrity through his association with the crew of fisherman & in particular Spencer Tracy's character.
This fine cast consists of legends who give wonderful performances: John Carradine, Lionel Barrymore, Mickey Rooney, Melvyn Douglas and of course, Spencer Tracy.
The film also gives you a rare glimpse into a way of life past. Today we have huge fishing ships that net miles of fish and have the canneneries right on board. Without it being intentional, the movie shows you what life was like when people still cared about the work they did and had pride in the honest work they had accomplished (rather than life being a succession of "jobs").
You may show this movie to your children without fear;not only is there nothing unseemly in it, it has a valuable lesson to teach us all. And it is of much better quality than any of the so-called "family films" that have been produced in the last two decades.
HOLLYWOOD TAKE NOTE: you don't need punchy soundtracks, death defying stunts and high tech wizardry to make a good movie - - just an honest story, a good script and a fine cast. This movie proves that. It was made 70 yrs ago and we're still buying it.
My only complaint with this film is that it's not availabe on DVD.

Rating:
Summary: Not the best version of Captain's Courageous
Review: This is a marvelous movie about a spoiled, insecure child who brags, manipulates, and uses his wealth & positon to feel strong & good about himself (sound like anyone you know?). After being suspended from school for his antics he is dragged to Europe to accompany his father on a business trip. En route, he accidentenly falls overboard from the oceanliner (that's how they travelled in those days) and is rescued by a fisherman. He learns his lesson, matures and acquires integrity through his association with the crew of fisherman & in particular Spencer Tracy's character.
This fine cast consists of legends who give wonderful performances: John Carradine, Lionel Barrymore, Mickey Rooney, Melvyn Douglas and of course, Spencer Tracy.
The film also gives you a rare glimpse into a way of life past. Today we have huge fishing ships that net miles of fish and have the canneneries right on board. Without it being intentional, the movie shows you what life was like when people still cared about the work they did and had pride in the honest work they had accomplished (rather than life being a succession of "jobs").
You may show this movie to your children without fear;not only is there nothing unseemly in it, it has a valuable lesson to teach us all. And it is of much better quality than any of the so-called "family films" that have been produced in the last two decades.
HOLLYWOOD TAKE NOTE: you don't need punchy soundtracks, death defying stunts and high tech wizardry to make a good movie - - just an honest story, a good script and a fine cast. This movie proves that. It was made 70 yrs ago and we're still buying it.
My only complaint with this film is that it's not availabe on DVD.

Rating:
Summary: I Urge You To See This Film!
Review: This is a marvelous movie about a spoiled, insecure child who brags, manipulates, and uses his wealth & positon to feel strong & good about himself (sound like anyone you know?). After being suspended from school for his antics he is dragged to Europe to accompany his father on a business trip. En route, he accidentenly falls overboard from the oceanliner (that's how they travelled in those days) and is rescued by a fisherman. He learns his lesson, matures and acquires integrity through his association with the crew of fisherman & in particular Spencer Tracy's character.
This fine cast consists of legends who give wonderful performances: John Carradine, Lionel Barrymore, Mickey Rooney, Melvyn Douglas and of course, Spencer Tracy.
The film also gives you a rare glimpse into a way of life past. Today we have huge fishing ships that net miles of fish and have the canneneries right on board. Without it being intentional, the movie shows you what life was like when people still cared about the work they did and had pride in the honest work they had accomplished (rather than life being a succession of "jobs").
You may show this movie to your children without fear;not only is there nothing unseemly in it, it has a valuable lesson to teach us all. And it is of much better quality than any of the so-called "family films" that have been produced in the last two decades.
HOLLYWOOD TAKE NOTE: you don't need punchy soundtracks, death defying stunts and high tech wizardry to make a good movie - - just an honest story, a good script and a fine cast. This movie proves that. It was made 70 yrs ago and we're still buying it.
My only complaint with this film is that it's not availabe on DVD.