The Captain Hates the Sea (1934)

Director:

Lewis Milestone

Writers:

Wallace Smith (novel)
Wallace Smith (screenplay)

Release Date:

2 November 1934 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

All Aboard The Looney Liner! Over 1000 Laughs!

Plot Keywords:

The Three Stooges | Based On Novel

Cast

Victor McLaglen	...	Schulte
Wynne Gibson	...	Mrs. Jeddock
Alison Skipworth	...	Mrs. Magruder
John Gilbert	...	Steve Bramley
Helen Vinson	...	Janet Grayson
Fred Keating	...	Danny Checkett
Leon Errol	...	Layton, the steward
Walter Connolly	...	Captain Helquist
Tala Birell	...	Gerta Klargi
Walter Catlett	...	Joe Silvers, bartender
John Wray	...	Mr. Jeddock
Claude Gillingwater	...	Judge Griswold
Emily Fitzroy	...	Mrs. Griswold
Geneva Mitchell	...	Miss Hackson
Donald Meek	...	Josephus Bushmills (with bushy beard)

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

Actor John Gilbert's career was waning by the time he was hired by 'poverty row' studio Columbia for this picture. Gilbert's lucrative contract option had been dropped by the larger and richer MGM studios because his voice had tested higher than suited his masculine screen image. With his career in shambles, Gilbert had begun to drink heavily, but thanks mainly to the support of his friend Lewis Milestone, Gilbert was hired by Columbia for this picture...with the sole condition that he remain sober throughout the production. Unfortunately, Gilbert by this time was an alcoholic unable to stay away from drinking for very long, particularly among such heavy-drinking cast members as Walter Catlett and Victor McLaglen. Keeping the cast sober proved impossible, even while filming at sea. In a rage at the mounting expenditures, Columbia president Harry Cohn telegraphed director Milestone, 'Return to studio. The cost is staggering.' Milestone wired back, 'So is the cast!'

John Gilbert Is Magnificent

A sort of B version of Grand Hotel but on a cruise ship, The Captain Hates the Sea is fascinating for a couple of terrific performances among the wreckage of this film that seems badly directed because of the confusing plot.

A disparate group of people take a cruise and get involved in the petty squabbles of the crew as well as each other's messy lives. There's something about bonds and bad reputations and undercover cops but none of it makes much sense.

However, John Gilbert, in his final film, is magnificent as the drunk. His voice has never been better and how ironic that this great star, whose career was supposedly ruined by his lousy speaking voice, turns in yet another terrific performance in a talkie. For anyone who has seen Gilbert in this film or Downstairs, Queen Christina, or The Phantom of Paris, you know that Gilbert had no voice problems.

Here is suave and cool and funny in a William Powell sort of way, and he's just mesmerizing to watch. Also very good are Alison Skipworth as the bossy hostess, Helen Vinson as the bonds thief, Walter Connolly as the captain, Walter Catlett as the bartender, Donald Meek as the bearded passenger, Wynne Gibson as the woman with the past, Leon Errol as the ship's mate, Akim Tamriroff as the troubled man, and the Three Stooges as the ship's musicians.

Victor McLaglen and Fred Keating are also after the bonds while John Wray is defending his wife's honor. Claude Gillingwater and Emily Fitzroy are also along for the ride. Quite the cast.

Not a great film but certainly worth a look for the cast and for the superb John Gilbert.