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) (as Alan LeMay), 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 - 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:

pirate | ship | blackbeard the pirate character | character name as title | three word title | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Adventure | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Initially, Robert Stevenson was to direct the picture, with a cast headed by Robert Mitchum, Faith Domergue, Victor Mature and Jack Buetel.

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Goofs

At about 3 minutes into the movie the escape scene alternates between night time and bright sunny day between shots.

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Quotes

Blackbeard: Ben, I believe I'm going to catch me a rat!
Ben Worley: Why, you hungry?
[motions to the rope Blackbeard is holding, which goes over the side of the ship]
Ben Worley: . Oh, you're goin' fishing for him, aye?
Blackbeard: NO, I ain't goin' fishin' for him, aye!

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Crazy Credits

Opening credits prologue: "The meeker the man, the more pirate he, Snug in his armchair, far from the sea, And reason commends his position: He has all of the fun and none of the woes, Masters the ladies and scuttles his foes, And cheats both the noose and perdition!"

"THE ARMCHAIR PIRATE" -Anon.-

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Connections

Referenced in The Wild Wild West: The Night of the Big Blast (1966)

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Soundtracks

A-Roving
(uncredited)
Traditional sea shanty
Sung by pirate crew

User Reviews

Commentary For Linda Darnell Fans

Enough has been said by other reviewers about Robert Newton's performance, so I want to make some comments about Linda Darnell's appearance in this film. Although she was given second billing, her part is rather small in the overall script. There wasn't much great dramatic effort required to do her part.

I'm guessing her star power had something to do with her being cast in this film. The incidental love story involving her character could have been eliminated from the film without the film being affected. I guess it was needed to give the film a "happy ending".

Since most of her work was filmed in black and white, it's nice to have another opportunity to see her photographed in Technicolor.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 June 1953 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Blackbeard the Pirate

Filming Locations:

USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$1,250,000

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