Great fiction comes from truth, and the experiences of one person can provide a fascinating escape for one person while revealing the horrifying facts that expose corruption. That's the goal of Glenn Ford, playing the title character, determined to save a fellow merchant marine (Stuart Erwin), wrongly accused of murder. In a story that screams "Jack London", the "Call of the Wild" author covers adventure, romance, ruthlessness, the desire for the truth and deception, packed into a powerful sleeper that set Ford on the road to stardom.
Ford's romantic interests here are two completely different young ladies, streetwise Claire Trevor (as Erwin's sister) and Evelyn Keyes as the daughter of shipping liner owner Pierre Watkin. Between self proclaimed "crude" Trevor and well bred Keyes, Ford has his hands full. Then, there's Ian Macdonald as the ruthless ship's captain, the nastiest seaman outside of Captain Bligh, all charm when Watkin's around, but a truly vile human being otherwise.
When a story combines so many themes together with intelligence and dignity, it is a treat for the reader, and in this case, the viewer. The cast is dynamic from top billing to the minor characters, with an intelligent and sincere performance by Frank Conroy as Ford's drunken confidante and Rafaela Ottiano as an observer at the party Ford invaded to get his side of the story heard. Way down the list is the always noticeable Charles Lane as a snarky publisher. This is one of those forgotten classics that slipped under the table in a great era filled with classics, but worthy of a new audience.
Ford's romantic interests here are two completely different young ladies, streetwise Claire Trevor (as Erwin's sister) and Evelyn Keyes as the daughter of shipping liner owner Pierre Watkin. Between self proclaimed "crude" Trevor and well bred Keyes, Ford has his hands full. Then, there's Ian Macdonald as the ruthless ship's captain, the nastiest seaman outside of Captain Bligh, all charm when Watkin's around, but a truly vile human being otherwise.
When a story combines so many themes together with intelligence and dignity, it is a treat for the reader, and in this case, the viewer. The cast is dynamic from top billing to the minor characters, with an intelligent and sincere performance by Frank Conroy as Ford's drunken confidante and Rafaela Ottiano as an observer at the party Ford invaded to get his side of the story heard. Way down the list is the always noticeable Charles Lane as a snarky publisher. This is one of those forgotten classics that slipped under the table in a great era filled with classics, but worthy of a new audience.