Blackbeard, the Pirate (1952)Honest Edward Maynard finds himself serving as ship's surgeon under the infamous pirate Blackbeard. Director:Raoul Walsh |
|
| 0Share... |
Blackbeard, the Pirate (1952)Honest Edward Maynard finds himself serving as ship's surgeon under the infamous pirate Blackbeard. Director:Raoul Walsh |
|
| 0Share... |
| Complete credited cast: | |||
| Robert Newton | ... |
Edward Teach /
Blackbeard
|
|
| Linda Darnell | ... |
Edwina Mansfield
|
|
|
|
William Bendix | ... |
Ben Worley
|
|
|
Keith Andes | ... | |
|
|
Torin Thatcher | ... | |
| Irene Ryan | ... |
Alvina, a lady in waiting
|
|
| Alan Mowbray | ... |
Noll
|
|
|
|
Richard Egan | ... |
Briggs
|
|
|
Skelton Knaggs | ... |
Gilly
|
|
|
Dick Wessel | ... |
Dutchman
|
| Anthony Caruso | ... |
Pierre La Garde
|
|
|
|
Jack Lambert | ... |
Tom Whetstone
|
|
|
Noel Drayton | ... |
Jeremy
|
| Pat Flaherty | ... |
Job Maggot
|
|
In 1674, "reformed" pirate Sir Henry Morgan is a high official in Jamaica, but Edward Maynard hopes to win a large reward by proving Morgan still dabbles in piracy. Maynard goes undercover as ship's surgeon with a Morgan henchman...who's been supplanted by notorious Blackbeard himself. Also on the ship is Edwina Mansfield, seemingly a damsel in distress, to whom there's much more than meets the eye. Written by Rod Crawford <puffinus@u.washington.edu>
I am gratified that so many others have commented on Robert Newton's completely over-the-top performance in the title role. Unfortunately, it completely transcends the otherwise conventional Hollywood pirate movie that surrounds it. When he's on the screen, nothing else exists. Yes, it's ham-acting at its hammiest but it's virtuoso ham acting that hardly anyone could hope to match. He rolls his eyes, growls, orates...he simply takes over the movie and almost gives ham-acting a good name. The only performances of this kind that I can think of which come close to matching him are Orson Welles (in many things but especially in "Black Magic") and Ralph Richardson in "Things to Come."