Captains Courageous – 1937
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this movie. I think it was in large part due to the acting skills of young Freddie Bartholomew. MGM Studios advertised the film as a coming-of-age classic with exciting action sequences. I’ll actually give the film credit for one mildly exciting action sequence, but no more.
The film is based on the novel by Rudyard Kipling with Bartholomew playing the lead role of Harvey Cheyne. He is the son of a very wealthy single father, played by Melvyn Douglas. Harvey has little to no relationship with his father. Like many children, he has learned to be manipulative towards adults, and a bully to his fellow students at school. His behavior not only gets him into trouble, but makes him an incredibly unpopular young boy.
So, his father, in an effort to spend more time with his son, takes him along on a business trip. Unfortunately, he is too busy with his business to spend any real time with him. Through a series of events, Harvey falls off the side of the ship and nearly drowns in the ocean. Fortunately, he is rescued from the water by a lowly fisherman. He is Manuel Fidello, played by Spencer Tracy.
From here it is easy to see where the story goes. The fisher folk don’t care who the little brat is, nor do they care who his father is. Harvey learns to be a fisher and becomes a better person for it. He develops a deep bond with Manuel, a relationship he could never have with his father.
The story was handled well. It took its time establishing the relationship between Harvey and Manuel, giving the audience a chance to understand it and believe it. Not only is this to Kipling’s credit, but also to the film’s director, Victor Fleming. If this movie had been made today, it probably would have skipped over some of the more character driven parts and really played up the scenes with the action. But in the 1930s more attention was given to character development than modern movies. It is unfortunate, but movies are rarely made that way anymore.
As in the Best Picture nominee of 1935, David Copperfield, Freddie Bartholomew did a really fantastic job for a child actor. He really showed a natural talent for acting and was believable. He handled a range of emotions from petulance to excitement to tears and sorrow very well. He did a great job in front of the camera, despite his very young age.
But for me, the real star of the film was Spencer Tracy. I have to start off by saying that I am not very knowledgeable about his body of work, but I have liked him in everything in which I have seen him. Here, he really turned in a great performance. He had to maintain a Portuguese accent, and though you could tell it was not a natural accent, he was at least consistent which made it acceptable. Spencer Tracy is a very good actor and he made Manuel into a delightful character that anyone would want to know, which made his death scene that much more impactful, both to Harvey and the audience.
Lionel Barrymore also did a wonderful job as the captain of the fishing schooner, Disko Troop. He was perfect as the crusty and yet gentle-hearted seaman. He ruled his vessel with fairness and compassion. His son, Dan, was played by Mickey Rooney. Rooney did a great job. I liked him much better here than as Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. In fact, though his role was fairly small, he played his part very believably and made the character a memorable one. Well done Barrymore and Rooney!
Unfortunately, the more I think about it, I more I come to believe that Manuel’s death was really caused by Disko’s obsessive competition with another schooner captain. You see, the two skippers were racing through the water and so Disko ignored the warnings regarding his damaged sail, which ultimately killed Manuel. Oh well…
But even that is only a minor complaint. I really did enjoy the film. It was a story that was well told and easy to follow. The acting was top notch and very believable.
Great Movie! I loved it through all the tears.