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Captains Courageous
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Synopsis
A boy learns life-changing lessons about the importance of friendship and the dignity of labor in this adventure saga based on a story by Rudyard Kipling. Young Harvey Cheyne (Freddie Bartholomew) is the working definition of a spoiled brat; the only child of a wealthy widowed businessman, Harvey has everything he needs, but never stops asking for more, convinced he can get anything if he yells, pouts, or throws the right tantrum. Even other boys his age are disgusted with his antics, and when he accompanies his father on an ocean cruise, he finds he has no friends to play with. After wolfing down six ice-cream sodas, Harvey gets sick to his stomach and while vomiting over the side of the ship, he falls into the drink. He is rescued by Manuel (Spencer Tracy), a Portuguese old salt who drags him on board a Gloucester fishing boat where he's a deck hand and doryman. Harvey shows no gratitude to Manuel for saving his life and demands to be taken home immediately; Manuel and the crew, not the least bit sympathetic, inform him that once they've filled the ship's hold with fresh catch, they'll return to shore, and not a moment sooner. Over the next few weeks, Harvey grows from a self-centered pantywaist into a young man who appreciates the value of a hard day's work, and in Manuel he finds the strength, guidance, and good sense that he never got from his father. Spencer Tracy earned an Academy Award for his performance in Captains Courageous and even sings a bit; the story was parodied years later (with a few rather drastic changes) in the Chris Elliott vehicle Cabin Boy. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Cast

Lionel Barrymore Captain Disko
Freddie Bartholomew Harvey Cheyne
Donald Briggs Tyler
John Carradine "Long Jack"
Melvyn Douglas Mr. Cheyne
Charles Grapewin Uncle Salters
Walter Kingsford Dr. Finley
Jack LaRue Priest
Sam McDaniel "Doc"
Oscar O'Shea Cushman
Spencer Tracy Manuel
Mickey Rooney Dan Troop
Billy Burrud Charles

Production Crew

Arnold A. Gillespie Art Director
Cedric Gibbons Art Director
Edwin B. Willis Art Director
Rudyard Kipling Book Author
Harold Hal Rosson Cinematographer
Clifford Vaughan Composer (Music Score)
Franz Waxman Composer (Music Score)
Victor Fleming Director
Elmo Vernon Editor
Louis D. Lighton Producer
Dale Van Every Screenwriter
John Lee Mahin Screenwriter
Marc Connolly Screenwriter
Gus Kahn Songwriter
Year: 1937
Runtime: 116
Country: USA
MPAA Rating: G
Category: Feature

Genre
Adventure

Produced by
MGM

Release
by MGM

Awards
1937 - 10 Best Films - Film Daily
1937 - 10 Best Films - New York Times
1937 - Award - Photoplay
1937 - Best Film - New York Film Critics Circle
1937 - Best Picture - Academy
1937 - Best Picture - National Board of Review
1937 - Best Picture - New York Film Critics Circle
1937 - Best Picture - Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie