The Wreck of the Mary Deare (1959)

A disgraced merchant marine officer elects to stay aboard his sinking cargo ship in order to prove the vessel was deliberately scuttled and, as a result, vindicate his good name.

Director:

Michael Anderson

Writers:

Eric Ambler (screenplay), Hammond Innes (novel)

Stars:

Gary Cooper, Charlton Heston, Michael Redgrave

1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Gary Cooper	...	Gideon Patch
Charlton Heston	...	John Sands
Michael Redgrave	...	Mr. Nyland
Emlyn Williams	...	Sir Wilfred Falcett
Cecil Parker	...	The Chairman
Alexander Knox	...	Petrie
Virginia McKenna	...	Janet Taggart
Richard Harris	...	Lieutenant Higgins
Ben Wright	...	Mike
Peter Illing	...	Gunderson
Terence de Marney	...	Frank
Ashley Cowan	...	Burrows
Charles Davis	...	Yules - Quartermaster on Mary Deare

Storyline

In the English Channel, John Sands (Charlton Heston), from a small rescue ship, finds the freighter Mary Deare drifting. Although there's only a little fire, the whole crew seems to have left the ship. John's already looking forward to a large salvage fee, but then he finds First Officer Gideon Patch (Gary Cooper) still on board. Sands can't get back to his tug boat and stays with Patch while Patch grounds the Mary Deare. Although he doesn't understand yet what happened on the Mary Deare, Sands allows Patch to persuade him not to talk about what he saw on-board, and to drag out the official investigation of the incident.

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Plot Keywords:

english channel | southhampton england | ship scuttling | ship captain | sabotage | 

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Taglines:

The Great British Best-Seller Becomes a Man's Film That Women Love!

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Genres:

Adventure | Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Despite the star power, this movie flopped at the box-office, barely covering the negative cost, but not enough to cover advertising, promotion, and distribution expenses, according to studio records.

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Goofs

When Patch and Sands jumped off the salvage ship dressed in SCUBA gear, they already had their goggles over their eyes and the mouthpieces in their mouths. Seconds later they were swimming on the surface with goggles on top of their heads and mouthpieces out of their mouths, and putting those back on as they went underwater.

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Quotes

Sir Wilfred Falcett: [During court testimony] After the loss of the Silver Isle, you found yourself, as the saying goes, "on the beach" for some considerable time, did you not?
Gideon Patch: Yes.
Sir Wilfred Falcett: You were glad to be taken on as a third officer?
Gideon Patch: Yes.
Sir Wilfred Falcett: That must have been a bitter experience for you, the sort of experience ends to put a chip on a man's shoulder. Wouldn't you agree?
Gideon Patch: That depends on the man!

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Connections

Referenced in Alfred Hitchcock: Master of Suspense (2013)

User Reviews

Routine Sea Drama

This film is an entertaining piece of drama for a casual viewing. It has Charlton Heston in probably his last supporting role during his prime acting portion of his career. This film was made after he completed filming on Ben-Hur but before it was released. Heston took a backseat to Gary Cooper in this one, who gives another solid performance. This was one of his last films and he looked a bit tired. As far as the film, an interesting story of a sea captain's negligence and an unscrupulous team of ship salvagers on Coop's last command. Special effects are first rate for 1959. No classic here though.

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

17 November 1959 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Wreck of the Mary Deare

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,596,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Blaustein-Baroda

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1