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.

---

Plot Keywords:

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

---

Taglines:

They took what they wanted...and they wanted the world!

---

Genres:

Adventure | Romance

---

Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Opening credits: This photoplay is based on certain actual and outstanding events in the lives of its principal characters, but the other events and the other characters, except those representing persons whose true names are used, are fictional.

---

Goofs

Sea battle scene toward the end was from same footage as The Spanish Main, 1945.

---

Quotes

Ben Worley: [after another pirate pleas for sailor's last rites of the sea] "Get your hats off. Lay hold, four of ya. For distance this time.
[Four pirates pick up the body by the arms and legs and move to the ships side railing and start to swing the body]
Ben Worley: One, and the body, the body , I say. Two, shall be cast, be cast, I say. Three, into the sea, the sea, into the sea goes he!
[the pirates throw the body overboard and then look over the rail to see the body floating by]
Ben Worley: Now away with ya! And divvy up his ...

---

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.-

---

Connections

Features The Spanish Main (1945)

---

Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

Hammy swashbuckling pro sets movie for lots of fun

This is a lot of fun,but is not for those who insist on subtle acting.Newton has the time of his life as a drunken psychotic.He really does go over the top.The dialogue is rather good,all things being considered,and the plot is better than one might have expected.There are only 3 or 4 loose ends.Darnell,Andese,and Thatcher all do quite well with their roles,and the pirates are as grisly a crew of jackals as you could imagine.(Gilly,in particular,not only acts well,but is nicely creepy,besides.)The only major disappointment is bendix;this fine performer wasn't suited for costume dramas.A good picture for kids ages 12 and under,or for those with a broad sense of humor.

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