Starring
Freddie Bartholomew
Spencer Tracy
Lionel Barrymore
Spencer Tracy
Lionel Barrymore
Melvyn Douglas
Charley Grapewin
and
Mickey Rooney
Today we will conclude let's talk Classic Movie Child Star - Freddie Bartholomew. W
e have talked about two of our favorite Bartholomew movies, and would like to end the trilogy this week with Captains Courageous. The wonderful cast includes Freddie Bartholomew, Melvyn Douglas, Spencer Tracy, Lionel Barrymore, Mickey Rooney, John Carradine, and Charley Grapewin. Based on the novel by Rudyard Kipling, Captains Courageous tells the tale of young Harvey Cheyne (Bartholomew), a spoiled rich kid and his father, business tycoon Frank Burton Cheyne (Douglas).
In th
e opening scene at his wealthy father's imposing mansion, the pampered Harvey orders his butler to bring him breakfast in bed, as 
he tries to impress some visiting schoolmates. Later, as the lads travel back to their exclusive private boys' school in the Cheyne's chauffeur-driven limousine, Harvey attempts bribery and finally threatens in order to join a school fraternity, the "Buffaloes".
Harvey finds himself eventually shunned by his classmates [sic]
"sent to Coventry", and rebels against the school's discipline. When the headmaster informs Mr. Cheyne that his son has been "rusticated" (suspended) for the remainder of the term, the mogul realizes that the boy needs closer attention and guidance. Cheyne takes his son with him on a business trip to Europe.
Enroute, Harvey, as a result of another display of arrogance, falls overboard from a trans-Atlantic steamship on The Grand Banks. He is rescued by a Portuguese-America
n fisherman, Manuel Fidello (Tracy), and taken aboard the fishing schooner We're Here. Harvey can neither persuade the captain of the vessel, Disko Troop (Barrymore), to take him ashore nor convince him of his wealth. However, the captain offers him a low-paid job as part of the crew until they return to port months later. With no other choice, Harvey eventually accepts. Befriended by Captain Troop's son, Dan (Rooney), he begins to learn the ways of working at sea.
Under the guidance of Manuel and his equally tough crew-mates, Harvey thrive
s, coming to learn that his former practices of cheating, bragging and whining do not go far in real life. Tragically, Harvey loses his surrogate father when Manuel is drowned in an accident as the boat heads for port. Eventually, the schooner returns to port and Harvey is reunited with his father, who had given him up for dead (not having any word since his son's 
disappearance - the vessel We're Here has no radio). Rushing to the fishing town (Gloucester, Massachusetts), the father is surprised to find that his self-centred child has become mature and considerate. The father also realizes that he has neglected his motherless son and learns the joy of being a good father.
The film is one of our favorites from childhood and one we will always remember fo
ndly. Captains Courageous is a terrific motion picture and one we highly recommend for family viewing, although there are some moments of tragedy. Join "Let's Talk Classic Movies" for more classic movie presentations and trivia.
e have talked about two of our favorite Bartholomew movies, and would like to end the trilogy this week with Captains Courageous. The wonderful cast includes Freddie Bartholomew, Melvyn Douglas, Spencer Tracy, Lionel Barrymore, Mickey Rooney, John Carradine, and Charley Grapewin. Based on the novel by Rudyard Kipling, Captains Courageous tells the tale of young Harvey Cheyne (Bartholomew), a spoiled rich kid and his father, business tycoon Frank Burton Cheyne (Douglas).In th
e opening scene at his wealthy father's imposing mansion, the pampered Harvey orders his butler to bring him breakfast in bed, as 
he tries to impress some visiting schoolmates. Later, as the lads travel back to their exclusive private boys' school in the Cheyne's chauffeur-driven limousine, Harvey attempts bribery and finally threatens in order to join a school fraternity, the "Buffaloes".Harvey finds himself eventually shunned by his classmates [sic]
"sent to Coventry", and rebels against the school's discipline. When the headmaster informs Mr. Cheyne that his son has been "rusticated" (suspended) for the remainder of the term, the mogul realizes that the boy needs closer attention and guidance. Cheyne takes his son with him on a business trip to Europe.Enroute, Harvey, as a result of another display of arrogance, falls overboard from a trans-Atlantic steamship on The Grand Banks. He is rescued by a Portuguese-America
n fisherman, Manuel Fidello (Tracy), and taken aboard the fishing schooner We're Here. Harvey can neither persuade the captain of the vessel, Disko Troop (Barrymore), to take him ashore nor convince him of his wealth. However, the captain offers him a low-paid job as part of the crew until they return to port months later. With no other choice, Harvey eventually accepts. Befriended by Captain Troop's son, Dan (Rooney), he begins to learn the ways of working at sea.Under the guidance of Manuel and his equally tough crew-mates, Harvey thrive
s, coming to learn that his former practices of cheating, bragging and whining do not go far in real life. Tragically, Harvey loses his surrogate father when Manuel is drowned in an accident as the boat heads for port. Eventually, the schooner returns to port and Harvey is reunited with his father, who had given him up for dead (not having any word since his son's 
disappearance - the vessel We're Here has no radio). Rushing to the fishing town (Gloucester, Massachusetts), the father is surprised to find that his self-centred child has become mature and considerate. The father also realizes that he has neglected his motherless son and learns the joy of being a good father.The film is one of our favorites from childhood and one we will always remember fo
ndly. Captains Courageous is a terrific motion picture and one we highly recommend for family viewing, although there are some moments of tragedy. Join "Let's Talk Classic Movies" for more classic movie presentations and trivia.**Trivia Question for Today: What musical instrument does Tracy’s character, Manuel, play in Captains Courageous?
Trivia Answer for Previous Post: The item the Earl of Dorincourt ‘takes off occasionally’ according to a conversation he has with Cedric in Little Lord Fauntleroy is a coronet (tiara).
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