The gradual bonding between rough-hewn Greek fisherman SPENCER TRACY and spoiled rich boy FREDDIE BARTHOLOMEW is at the heart of CAPTAINS COURAGEOUS, and Victor Fleming has made sure that it is this aspect of the story that is successfully and convincingly handled.
Tracy, of course, lends all of his authority to the role (despite an accent that is never quite acceptable) and richly deserved his Oscar, but equally deserving is Bartholomew as the boy who sees Tracy's character (Manuel) as the sort of father figure he genuinely admires. His close relationship with Tracy is what "makes" the film.
Not that others aren't worthy of mention--MELVYN DOUGLAS, for example, is excellent as the boy's father who has taken him out of boarding school and onto his yacht, only to have the boy fall overboard and end up rescued by Tracy. MICKEY ROONEY is fine as Douglas' son and LIONEL BARRYMORE does well by the role of the gruff sea captain on Tracy's ship.
The Rudyard Kipling story is well scripted and directed in fine fashion by Victor Fleming. The result is a story that revolves around the coming of age of the boy and his "growing up" under harsh circumstances.
Well worth seeing, nicely filmed in glorious B&W.
Tracy, of course, lends all of his authority to the role (despite an accent that is never quite acceptable) and richly deserved his Oscar, but equally deserving is Bartholomew as the boy who sees Tracy's character (Manuel) as the sort of father figure he genuinely admires. His close relationship with Tracy is what "makes" the film.
Not that others aren't worthy of mention--MELVYN DOUGLAS, for example, is excellent as the boy's father who has taken him out of boarding school and onto his yacht, only to have the boy fall overboard and end up rescued by Tracy. MICKEY ROONEY is fine as Douglas' son and LIONEL BARRYMORE does well by the role of the gruff sea captain on Tracy's ship.
The Rudyard Kipling story is well scripted and directed in fine fashion by Victor Fleming. The result is a story that revolves around the coming of age of the boy and his "growing up" under harsh circumstances.
Well worth seeing, nicely filmed in glorious B&W.