Blackbeard, the Pirate (1952)

Honest Edward Maynard finds himself serving as ship's surgeon under the infamous pirate Blackbeard.

Director:

Raoul Walsh

Writers:

Alan Le May (screenplay), DeVallon Scott (story)

Stars:

Robert Newton, Linda Darnell, William Bendix

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Robert Newton	...	Edward Teach / Blackbeard
Linda Darnell	...	Edwina Mansfield
William Bendix	...	Ben Worley
Keith Andes	...	Robert Maynard
Torin Thatcher	...	Sir Henry Morgan
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

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

ship | pirate | cutlass | color in title | duel | 

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Taglines:

The thunder of their plundering shook the earth, the seas, the sky!

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Genres:

Adventure

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 July 1953 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Blackbeard the Pirate

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

Although Henry Morgan is depicted as Blaclbeard's chief antagonist, Morgan retired on 1683 and died in 1688, when Blackbeard (born circa 1680) was only eight years old. Blackbeard did not arrive in the Indies until the closing years of the 17th Century, well after Morgan's death.

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Quotes

Blackbeard: What be your name, girl?
Edwina Mansfield: Blackbeard!
Blackbeard: No, I be Blackbeard!

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Connections

Spoofed in Yellowbeard (1983)

User Reviews

A classic

This film seemed to be a staple of late nineteen fifties Saturday afternoon television. Even a ten year old could discern the broad elements of self-parody, and the motley collection of Dickensian characters....Equally important, the movie contains one of cinema's greatest one-liners: "I am the King of Spain!", perhaps second only in the low budget genre to "Slowly I turned." Yes, am a self-admitted Abbott & Costello fan as well, but "Blackbeard" outshines "Abbott & Costello Meet Captain Kidd" (1952)in almost every category. Perfection of a definitively weird sort, but perfection none the less. Alas, never actually saw it on the large screen.