Captains Courageous (1937)

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

All that we are seeing on the screen is happening with real people, real action sequences in the background, forcing the eye to watch as if we were there.

It's a good bad... and worth a popcorn matinée. While it's easy to lament what could have been...

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

Captain Courageous is a warm story on human, rather parental relationships, love and coming of age. An adventure story to spice up the relationship between an older and a younger character is hit. Fleming is clearly focused on the relationship between fishermen and boys and allow the atmosphere to grow with this relationship.Spencer Tracy as Manuel Fidello. He has both feet on the ground tighter. In this case, in the sea. Tracy really develops this role into a memorable character. Manuel is developing into an unforgettable character. I could not call him a father figure. His attention and love grow with the works. He is everything that a boy need. Growing up is perhaps in this case too quickly. I know, under the circumstances is acceptable. Character fisherman Manuel has become a universal value. The stereotype is not the case.Freddie Bartholomew as Harvey Cheyne is convincing and visible change of character. I'm with the enjoyment of watching this little spoiled and rich jerk who by sheer accident suddenly grow up. In the end I remained touched by the behavior of his. The change is pretty interesting. Harvey is still playful and rich boy who learned to fish and appreciate the true human values.Lionel Barrymore (Captain Disko Troop) and Melvyn Douglas (Frank Burton Cheyne) are excellent also.This is a very lively and exciting movie. The majestic sea scenery accompanies excellent acting and good dramaturgy. A film that is hard to forget.

This movie is not to be confused with the book. This movie is a Freddie Bartholomew starring film. Following Freddie's major success in David Copperfield, this movie was a natural fit for the child actor. There is the Wizard of Oz connection here too.We have Director Victor Fleming and Charlie Grapewin as Uncle Salters who would later be Uncle Henry. His support in this one is essential to the plot as the story is told. This one develops a major relationship between Freddie and Spencer Tracy (Harvey & Manuel that tugs at the heart strings. The film is a major success for both.Freddie is a sort spoiled rich kid who is sailing on an ocean liner and accidentally falls off it trying to hide from his friends. He is accidentally rescued by Manuel(Tracy) and winds up on a fishing boat.The spoiled Harvey tries to buy his way off of the boat at first but then finds out he can not and then finds Manuel to change his entire life. Harvey was never close to his own dad so Manuel becomes a replacement for him. As the relationship grows, the emotions do too, until tragedy strikes the relationship, as Manuel is killed.From there, the fishing boat finally makes shore with Harvey sad about the death, but no longer the spoiled brat he once was. He even gets closer to his dad at the end. The movie works well, and is not the typical happy ending when Harvey gets home that many films were in the 1930's. This one shows emotional dimension.

Spoiled rich boy Freddie Bartholomew (as Harvey Cheyne) is expelled from boarding school for bribery and bratty behavior. Correctly deducing neglect is a growing concern, millionaire father Melvyn Douglas (as Frank Burton Cheyne) decides to take more of an interest in Master Bartholomew, and takes his son on a luxury cruise. After gorging too many chocolate ice cream sodas, Bartholomew falls overboard. He is fished out of the water by Portuguese-accented Spencer Tracy (as Manuel Fidello)...Bartholomew orders Mr. Tracy's schooner captain to take him home, but leader Lionel Barrymore (as Disko Troop) and the crew don't believe bossy Bartholomew is the son of a tycoon. Bartholomew must stay on the "We're Here" boat for three months, and is expected to do his share of the work. It's far from smooth sailing, but Tracy and his "Little Fish" eventually form a strong, character-building bond. This played well with critics and the public. Tracy won an Oscar and Bartholomew is as good.******** Captains Courageous (5/11/37) Victor Fleming ~ Freddie Bartholomew, Spencer Tracy, Lionel Barrymore, Melvyn Douglas

In this film adaptation of a Kipling story, a bratty rich kid learns some valuable life lessons after he falls from an ocean liner and is picked up by fishermen. It's quite lavishly filmed with a good cast. With his curly hair and Portugese accent, Tracy's character could easily have become a caricature, but he manages to turn in a decent performance, one that garnered him an Oscar. Barrymore is well cast as the crusty captain of the fishing boat. Bartholomew does OK as the spoiled brat. While it is a handsome production, the story just isn't that interesting. The message is obvious and rather contrived. Also, the film goes on far too long.