MOVIES - PIRATES 1931-1935

• Captain Applejack (1931)
• Corsair (1931)
• Huckleberry Finn (1931)
• Moro Pirates (1931)
• Sea Devils (1931)
• [cartoon] King Neptune (1932) [Silly Symphony 30]
• [cartoon] Treasure Runt, The (1932) [Screen Gems Animation Studio]
• In the Wake of the Bounty (1933)
• [cartoon] Pirate Ship (1933) [Terrytoons Episode 84]
• Mama's Little Pirate (1934)
• Pirate Treasure (1934) [12-episode serial]
• [cartoon] Shanghaied [aka Mickey Shanghaied] (1934) [Mickey Mouse Sound Cartoons 63]
• Treasure Island (1934)
• Admirals All (1935)
• Captain Blood (1935)
• China Seas (1935)
• Drake of England [aka Drake the Pirate] (1935)
• Midshipman Easy (1935)
• Naughty Marietta (1935)
• [cartoon] Peg Leg Pete, the Pirate (1935) [Terrytoons Episode 135]
• Pirate Party on Catalina Isle (1935)
• [cartoon] Sinbad the Sailor (1935) [ComiColor Cartoon 16]

Captain Applejack (1931)

Director: Hobart Henley

Writers: Maude Fulton (screenplay) and Walter C. Hackett (play, as Walter Hackett)

Cast: Mary Brian [Poppy Faire], John Halliday [Ambrose Applejohn], Kay Strozzi [Madame Anna Valeska, aka Gladys], Alec B. Francis [Lush, the Butler], Louise Closser Hale [Aunt Agatha], Claud Allister [John Jason, as Claude Allister], Julia Swayne Gordon [Mrs. Kate Pengard], Arthur Edmund Carewe [Ivan Borolsky, aka Jim, as Arthur Edmund Carew], Otto Hoffman [Horace Pengard], William B. Davidson [Bill Dennett, as William Davidson]

Storyline: An ordinary man is confronted by gangsters who have reason to believe a treasure is buried somewhere on his property. Ambrose Applejohn lives in an extravagant old mansion with his ward, played by Poppy Faire, and his elderly aunt. Poppy is in love with Applejohn but he doesn't realize it and treats her like a child. Applejohn is bored with his sheltered and mundane live and craves excitement. He plans to sell the family mansion and use the money to travel around the world on a quest for adventure and excitement. Aunt Agatha is shocked when she finds out about her nephew's plans while Poppy supports him. Applejohn, however, soon finds unexpected adventure, danger, mystery and excitement right in his own house. On a dark and stormy night, a mysterious woman, Madame Anna Valeska, knocks on the door, seeking shelter from the storm and from a violent man, Ivan Borolsky, who is apparently pursuing her. As a matter of fact, the two are a pair of thieves seeking a treasure which is hidden in the Applejohn home. This treasure was hidden in the house by a pirate ancestor, known as Captain Applejack. Ivan Borolsky shows up at the house but, eventually, Applejohn manages to get Borolsky and Valeska out of the house. Applejohn falls asleep and dreams of his pirate ancestor, of his ship, and of his conquest of a pretty woman, who is at first resistant, but in the end completely surrenders to him. When he awakes he finds that a parchment really exists in the house and that his visitors are really thieves and are seeking a hidden treasure. He races to find the treasures indicated on the parchment before the thieves can find it themselves. In the end he put the villains to rout, finds the treasure and discovers that he also loves Poppy. The film is filled with pre-code material, especially during the pirate dream sequence. During that sequence, Captain Applejack brazenly forces a woman to submit to his sexual advances and actually grabs her breasts.
[63 min - Crime l Comedy l Drama l Romance - English - Black and White - 1.37 : 1 - USA - Warner Bros.]

  

Corsair (1931)

Director: Roland West

Writers: Walton Green (novel "Corsair, a Pirate in White Flannels"), Josephine Lovett (screenplay) and Roland West (screenplay)

Cast: Chester Morris [John Hawks], Thelma Todd [Alison Corning, as Alison Loyd], Fred Kohler [Big John], Ned [Slim], Emmett Corrigan [Stephen Corning], Will [Richard Bentinck], Frank McHugh ['Chub' Hopping], Frank Rice [Fish Face], Mayo Methot [Sophie], Gay Seabrook [Susie Grenoble], Addie McPhail [Jean Phillips], Al Hill [First Mate of the Corsair], Pat Hartigan, Sidney D'Albrook           

Storyline: A stock market broker plans to liven up his boring life by taking up piracy on the high seas. John decides to go after those who deserve to lose their money: bootleggers. He gets inside information on Big John's (Fred Kohler) rum-running operation from Slim (Ned Sparks) through his gun moll, Sophie. Sophie taps out the information in Morse code with her typewriter to a confederate who informs John of alcohol shipments. Hawks is a modern pirate. With his friend, 'Chub' (Frank McHugh), he captains the Corsair, a gunboat, which preys on bootleggers and then resells the cargo to their wealthy backers. He only forgot two things: that in the cutthroat world of junk bonds and margin calls, they don’t use real knives, machine guns, and bombs, like the gangsters; and the girl hiding in the hold.

[75 min - Adventure - English - Black and White - 1.20 : 1 - USA - Art Cinema Corporation, Roland West Productions]

Huckleberry Finn (1931)

Director: Norman Taurog

Writers: Grover Jones, William Slavens McNutt and Mark Twain (novel)

Cast: Jackie Coogan [Tom Sawyer], Junior Durkin [Huckleberry Finn], Mitzi Green [Becky Thatcher], Jackie Searl [Sid Sawyer], Eugene Pallette [Duke of Bilgewater], Clarence Muse [Jim], Clara Blandick [Aunt Polly], Jane Darwell [Widow Douglas], Oscar Apfel [The King], Warner Richmond [Pap Finn], Charlotte Henry [Mary Jane, as Charlotte V. Henry], Lillian Harmer [Miss Watson], Guy Oliver [Judge Thatcher], Edith Fellows [Schoolgirl (uncredited)], Betty Jane Graham [Little Girl (uncredited)], Dannie Mac Grant [(uncredited)], Edward LeSaint [Doc Robinson (uncredited)], Aileen Manning [Abigail Martin (uncredited)], Frank McGlynn Sr. [Second Teacher (uncredited)], Effie Palmer [(uncredited)], Dora Short [Ella (uncredited)], Cecil Weston [Mrs. Thatcher (uncredited)]

Storyline: Runaway Huck Finn rafts down the Mississippi with his friends. A year after their former exploits, Tom Sawyer's puppy love of Becky Thatcher keeps him home while Huck Finn, chafing under "civilizing" influences like school and shoes, plans to run away. His scapegrace, abusive father intervenes; Tom and black Jim help him escape; and (departing from the novel) all three raft down the Mississippi, where they're joined by two likable rogues and meet pretty orphans Ella and Mary Jane. The latter may change Huck's mind about girls...

[80 min - Comedy - Black and White - 1.20 : 1 - USA - Paramount Pictures]

Moro Pirates (1931)

Director: Jose Nepomuceno

Cast: Eduardo de Castro, Gregorio Fernandez, Nena Linda, Mary Walter

Storyline: Moro Pirates' was directed by Jose Nepomuceno, the father of Philippine cinema. Piracy in the Sulu Sea, occurred in the vicinity of Mindanao where frequent acts of piracy against the Spanish, occurred. Because of the continual wars between Spain and the Moro people, the areas in and around the Sulu Sea became a haven for piracy which was not suppressed until the beginning of the 20th century. The pirates should not be confused with the naval forces or privateers of the various Moro tribes. However, many of the pirates operated under government sanction during time of war. Moros usually armed their vessels with three swivel guns, called lelahs or lantakas, and occasionally a heavy cannon, proas were very fast and the pirates would prey on merchant ships becalmed in shallow water as they passed through the Sulu Sea.

[Adventure - Silent - English - Black and White - Philippines - Malayan Movies]

Sea Devils (1931)

Director: Joseph Levering

Writer: Scott Littleton

Cast: Molly O'Day [Ann McCall], Edmund Burns [Richard Charters], Walter Long [Johnson the First Mate], Paul Panzer [Steve the Radio Operator], Henry Otto [Governor], Ted Stroback, Jules Cowles [Attorney], James Donnelly [Captain McCall], William F. Moran, Hilliard Karr [Bartender (uncredited)]

Storyline: An escaped convict hides out on a sailing vessel and hunts for treasure. Richard Charters is in prison on a murder charge, but while his mother begs Governor Allen to parole him, he escapes. Disguised by a beard, he turns up at the docks, looking for a boat going south. A couple of sailors send him to a local dive, where he overhears a disreputable sailor named Johnson planning to steal the treasure from a sunken ship after it is salvaged by Captain McCall. When Richard meets pretty Ann McCall, the captain's daughter, as she chases after her pet monkey, he decides to stow away on McCall's ship, where Johnson and his band of cutthroats are also on board. Once they are out at sea, Richard's hiding place is revealed when he saves Ann from an attack by Johnson. The radio man, one of Johnson's crew, intercepts a telegram warning McCall about Johnson. The crooks change the message to implicate Richard. They then decide to kill Richard by arranging a diving accident, but the attempt is unsuccessful, and when Richard recognizes Johnson as Killer Lundgren, the man who committed the murder that sent him to prison, he subdues the gang with the help of black sailor, Big Tim. Back in port, Richard thinks that he will have to turn himself in, but when the police meet the ship, they tell him that he is cleared, as they know the murderer was really Johnson. Richard is now free to return Ann's love. This is a movie that certainly has curiosity value. Although the credits don't acknowledge the fact, it's actually a Poverty Row remake of "Moran of the Lady Letty" (1922), omitting most of Rudolph Valentino's long introductory sequences and all the concluding episodes.

[58 min - Adventure - English - Black and White - 1.33 : 1 - USA - Larry Darmour Productions]

[cartoon] King Neptune (1932) [Silly Symphony 30]

Director: Burt Gillett (uncredited)

Uncredited cast: Marcellite Garner [Mermaids (voice, uncredited)], Allan Watson [King Neptune (voice, uncredited)]

Storyline: King Neptune and an array of sea creatures come to the rescue of a mermaid captured by lecherous pirates. Featuring Neptune as the "King of the Sea". After a short introduction, one of Neptune's mermaids is captured by a pirate ship, and their anchor chain entangles King Neptune; the various sea creatures launch a full-on assault on the pirate ship, and eventually the giant King himself gets free and creates major havoc for the ship. Huge King Neptune, Ruler of the Sea, is frolicking with his lissome little mermaids. The arrival of a scurvy band of pirates, and their lustful attack upon the mermaids, begins a terrific battle, in which the ocean creatures join in. Finally, the sea god emerges from the waves & wrecks watery vengeance upon the corsairs. Enter the bad guys, in a pirate ship. They spot the mermaids, trying to capture them, with all but one escaping. The one who is caught more than holds her own against the crew. The other mermaids call out reinforcements because Neptune as become entangled in the anchor chain of the ship. Various sea creatures (octopi, sword fish, whales and so on) do battle with the pirates.

[7 min - Family l Adventure l Animation l Fantasy | Short - English - Color (Technicolor) - 1.37 : 1 - USA - Walt Disney Productions]

[cartoon] Treasure Runt, The (1932) [Screen Gems Animation Studio]

Director: Dick Huemer

Storyline: The Golden Age of Animation Part 1: 1928-1939. Playing pirates, Scrappy and Oopie try to recover a treasure chest that's underwater. From a dock, Oopie is sent down on a rope to haul it up with, but fish decide to crawl over him while his hands are busy holding on, and tease and annoy him into repeatedly dropping the chest just before getting to the surface.

[Animation l Short - English - Black and White - USA - Screen Gems]

In the Wake of the Bounty (1933)

Director: Charles Chauvel

Writer: Charles Chauvel (scenario)

Cast: Arthur Greenaway [Narrator], Mayne Lynton [Lieut. Bligh], Errol Flynn [Fletcher Christian], Victor Gouriet [Michael Byrne - The 'Bounty's' Blind Fiddler], John Warwick [Midshipman Young]

Storyline: Errol Flynn made his screen debut in this Australian feature which blends drama with documentary as it explores the infamous story of the H.M.S. Bounty. Staged sequences re-enact the final voyage of the Bounty as angry sailors, led by Fletcher Christian (Flynn), rise up against brutal Captain Bligh (Mayne Lynton), expelling the captain from the ship and eventually settling on Pitcairn Island, near Tahiti. In addition, documentary footage visits Pitcairn Island in 1933, offering a look at the place where Christian and his men took shelter and visiting with several islanders who are descendants of the Bounty's crew members.

[66 min - Action | Drama - English - Black and White - Australia - Expeditionary Films]

  

 

  

[cartoon] Pirate Ship (1933) [Terrytoons Episode 84]

Director: Frank Moser

Writer: Paul Terry

[6 min - Animation l Short - English - Black and White - USA - Terrytoons]

Mama's Little Pirate (1934)

Director: Gus Meins

Cast: George 'Spanky' McFarland [Spanky, as Our Gang], Matthew 'Stymie' Beard [Stymie, as Our Gang], Scotty Beckett [Scotty, as Our Gang], Billie 'Buckwheat' Thomas [Buckwheat, as Our Gang], Jerry Tucker [Jerry, as Our Gang], Marilyn Bourne [Blonde Girl in Gang, as Our Gang], Gilbert Hullett [Little Boy in Gang, as Our Gang], Paul Rodriguez [Baby in Gang, as Our Gang], Billy Bletcher [Giant (voice)], Mary Ann Breckell [(unconfirmed)], Claudia Dell [Spanky's Mother], R.E. 'Tex' Madsen [Giant], Roger Moore [Joe, Spanky's Father, as Joe Young]

Storyline: The gang goes after pirate treasure they believe is hidden in a cave. While eating breakfast, Spanky's father reads a newspaper article about treasures found at a nearby cave. This inspires Spanky to explore another nearby cave with the gang for more treasures. The cave is too dark so Spanky goes back home to get a flashlight. Spanky's foster mother catches him and she refuses to allow him to participate in that treasure hunt. Confined to his room, Spanky falls asleep and in his dream argues with his "inner self", who advises him to disobey his foster mother and join the rest of the gang in their search for buried treasure. Though the kids miraculously unearth a fortune in gold and jewels, their triumph nearly turns to disaster when they encounter a surly giant (Tex Madsen). During the height of the trouble they've found, Spanky wakes up from his dream.

[18 min - Family | Short | Comedy - English - Black and White - 1.37 : 1 - USA - Hal Roach Studios]

Pirate Treasure (1934) [12-episode serial]

Director: Ray Taylor

Writers: Ella O'Neill (tory and screenplay), George H. Plympton (screenplay, as George Plympton), Jack Nelson (screenplay) and Basil Dickey (screenplay)

Cast: Richard Talmadge [Dick Moreland], Lucille Lund [Dorothy Craig], Walter Miller [Stanley Brasset], Pat O'Malley [John Craig], Ethan Laidlaw [Curt], William Desmond [Capt. Jim Carson], William L. Thorne [Drake], Del Lawrence [Robert Moreland], Edmund Cobb [Henchman Bert], George DeNormand [Henchman Jed], Al Ferguson [Henchman Tony], Beulah Hutton [Marge], Francis Ford [Dick's Friend at the Airfield], Philo McCullough [Sir John Moreland, Pirate Ancestor in Flashback (Chapter 1)]

Storyline: Aviator Dick Moreland uses his winnings from a recent flight to fund an expedition to recover treasure buried his pirate ancestor. However, Stanley Brasset, another member of Moreland's club, steals his map and sets out to find the treasure for himself. Dorothy Craig becomes involved when Dick needs her car to chase Brasset's henchmen and recover the map, which results in Dorothy being kidnapped and requiring rescue by Dick. When told of the treasure, Dorothy offers her father's yacht to take them to the island. Unable to retain the map, Brasset joins the expedition (his identity as the villain unknown to the protagonists) with henchmen hidden aboard. The henchmen are discovered and attempt to take over the ship en route to the Caribbean but this fails. Brasset releases them again after arrival to stop Dick from recovering the treasure. The treasure chest itself is empty and the search by the two parties continues on the island. Island natives eventually capture Brasset and his henchmen and plan to sacrifice them. Dick intervenes and they are brought back to America as prisoners. Pirate Treasure is a rare swashbuckling serial and the best example of the type. Due to its eerie background and the stunt work of Richard Talmadge, Cline considers Pirate Treasure the most memorable of the costume serials. Hans J. Wollstein at Allmovie does not consider the acting or writing to be of a high standard but praises the stunts: "Talmadge's acrobatics are as exciting today as they must have been in 1934." Chapter Titles: 1. Stolen Treasure, 2. Death Plunge, 3. Wheels of Fate, 4. Sea Chase, 5. Into the Depths, 6. The Death Crash, 7. Crashing Doom, 8. Mutiny, 9. Hidden Gold, 10. Fight for the Treasure, 11. Fatal Plunge, 12. Captured.

[240 min (12 episodes) - Action | Adventure | Crime - English - Black and White - 1.37 : 1 - USA - Universal Pictures]

[cartoon] Shanghaied [aka Mickey Shangaied] (1934) [Mickey Mouse Sound Cartoons 63]

Director: Burt Gillett (uncredited)

Uncredited cast: Billy Bletcher [Pegleg Pete (voice, uncredited)], Walt Disney [Mickey Mouse (voice, uncredited)], Marcellite Garner [Minnie Mouse (voice, uncredited)]

Storyline: Mickey duels with Pirates. Pirate Pete has kidnapped Mickey and Minnie and has them tied up. As Pete prepares to have his way with Minnie, Mickey escapes and gets a swordfish off the wall; a swordfight with Pete ensues. Mickey gets out of the cabin and on deck; he hoists Minnie up onto the mast. Pete summons his crew, and Mickey fights them off with a cannon, shooting pots and pans, a stove, and ultimately a harpoon before winning Minnie and the ship back for good. And duels with the pirate captain. This is a rousing short with pirates, kidnapping, a damsel in distress and heroism on the briny deep. The short begins with a pirate crew singing while they work. They move from singing about life on board ships to "The captain's got a girl!" repeated ad nauseam, with a caricature of a sailor prancing around waving a lace hankie and singing in a falsetto for good measure. It is during this that we learn that the captain is Pegleg Pete, who orders the crew to go below decks.

[7 min - Animation | Short | Comedy | Family | Romance - English - Black and White - 1.37 : 1 - USA - Walt Disney Productions]

Treasure Island (1934)

Director: Victor Fleming

Writers: Robert Louis Stevenson (novel "Treasure Island"), John Lee Mahin (screen play), John Howard Lawson (contributor to treatment, uncredited) and Leonard Praskins (contributor to treatment, uncredited)

Cast: Wallace Beery [Long John Silver], Jackie Cooper [Jim Hawkins], Lionel Barrymore [Billy Bones], Otto Kruger [Doctor Livesey], Lewis Stone [Captain Smollett], Nigel Bruce [Squire Trelawney], Charles 'Chic' Sale [Ben Gunn], William V. Mong [Pew], Charles McNaughton [Black Dog], Dorothy Peterson [Mrs. Hawkins], Douglass Dumbrille [Israel Hands, Pirate of the Spanish Main, as Douglas Dumbrille], Edmund Breese [Job Anderson, Pirate of the Spanish Main], Olin Howland [Dick, Pirate of the Spanish Main], Charles Irwin [Abraham Gray, Pirate of the Spanish Main], Edward Pawley [William O'Brien, Pirate of the Spanish Main], Richard Powell [Post, Pirate of the Spanish Main], James Burke [George Merry, Pirate of the Spanish Main], John Anderson [Harry Sykes, Pirate of the Spanish Main], Charles Bennett [Daddy Dawson, Pirate of the Spanish Main], Robert Adair [Tom - Seaman (uncredited)], Robert Anderson [Pirate (uncredited)], Bernice Beatty [Woman at Inn (uncredited)], Wilson Benge [Friend at Inn (uncredited)], Bruce Bennett [Man at Tavern (uncredited)], Red Berger [Pirate (uncredited)], Robert Bolder [Mild Man at Inn (uncredited)], Ed Brady [Pirate (uncredited)], Wes Clark [Allan (uncredited)], Cora Sue Collins [Young Girl at the Inn (uncredited)], Harry Cording [Henry - Pirate (uncredited)], Sidney D'Albrook [Joyce (uncredited)], Jill Dennett [Streetwalker (uncredited)], Kay Deslys [Streetwalker (uncredited)], Billy Dooley [Pirate (uncredited)], Vernon Downing [Boy at Inn (uncredited)], Frank Dunn [Hunter (uncredited)], Harold Entwistle [Ship's Chandler (uncredited)], Matt Gilman [Pirate (uncredited)], Frank Hagney [Pirate (uncredited)], Jack Hill [Pirate (uncredited)], John Kerr [Pirate (uncredited)], J.M. Kerrigan [Tom Morgan - Pirate (uncredited)], Edith Kingdon [Wife at Inn (uncredited)], A.B. Lane [Pirate (uncredited)], Tom Mahoney [Redruth (uncredited)], Jim Mason [Pirate (uncredited)], King Mojave [Pirate (uncredited)], John Northpole [Pirate (uncredited)], Ethel Ransome [Streetwalker (uncredited)], Yorke Sherwood [Mr. Arrow (uncredited)], Shirley Simpson [Woman Friend at Inn (uncredited)], Robert R. Stephenson [Pirate (uncredited)], Jane Talent [Streetwalker (uncredited)], Hal Wilson [Oldster (uncredited)], Tom Wilson [Pirate (uncredited)]

Storyline: Young Jim Hawkins (Jackie Cooper) and his mother (Dorothy Peterson) run the Admiral Benbow, a tavern near Bristol, England. One dark and stormy night, during a birthday celebration, the mysterious Billy Bones (Lionel Barrymore) arrives and drunkenly talks about treasure. Soon after, Bones is visited by Black Dog (Charles McNaughton) then Pew (William V. Mong), and drops dead, leaving a chest, which he bragged contained gold and jewels. Instead of money, Jim finds a map that his friend Dr. Livesey (Otto Kruger) realizes will lead them to the famous Flint treasure. Squire Trelawney (Nigel Bruce) raises money for a voyage to the treasure island and they set sail on Captain Alexander Smollett's (Lewis Stone) ship Hispaniola. Also on board is the one-legged Long John Silver (Wallace Beery) and his cronies. Even though Bones had warned Jim about a sailor with one leg, they become friends. During the voyage, several fatal "accidents" happen to sailors who disapprove of Silver and his cohorts. Then, the night before landing on the island, Jim overhears Silver plotting to take the treasure and kill Smollett's men. Jim goes ashore with the men, and encounters an old hermit named Ben Gunn (Charles "Chic" Sale), who tells him that he has found Flint's treasure. Meanwhile, Smollett and his loyal men flee to Flint's stockade on the island for safety. Silver's men then attack the stockade when Smollett refuses to give them the treasure map. While the situation looks hopeless, Jim secretly goes back to the Hispaniola at night, sails it to a safe location and shoots one of the pirates in self-defense. When he returns to the stockade, Silver's men are there and Silver tells them that a treaty has been signed. The pirates want to kill Jim, but Silver protects him. Dr. Livesey comes for Jim, but the boy refuses to break his word to Silver not to run away. The next day the pirates search for the treasure hold and when they find it, it is empty. When some of the pirates mutiny against Silver, Livesey and Gunn join him in the fight. Smollett then sails home with the treasure, which Gunn had hidden in his cave, and with Silver as his prisoner. Unable to stand by and let his friend be hanged, Jim frees Silver. As he sails away, Silver promises to hunt treasure with Jim again some day, as Honest John Silver.

[103 min - Adventure - English - Black and White - 1.37 : 1 - USA - Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)]

Admirals All (1935)

Director: Victor Hanbury

Writers: Ian Hay (play and script) and Stephen King-Hall (play and script)

Cast: Wynne Gibson [Gloria Gunn], Gordon Harker [Petty Officer Dingle], Anthony Bushell [Flag Lt. Steve Langham], George Curzon [Ping Hi], Joan White [Prudence Stallybrass], Henry Hewitt [Flag Capt. Knox], Percy Walsh [Adm. Westerham], Wilfrid Hyde-White [Mr. Stallybrass], Gwyneth Lloyd [Jean Stallybrass], Ben Welden [Adolph Klotz]

Storyline: Admirals All was based on the British stage farce by Ian Hay and Stephen-King-Hall. Wynne Gibson takes over from the stage version's Laura La Plante as temperamental American movie star Gloria Gunn. While on board a battleship for publicity purposes, Gloria is kidnapped by a band of comic-opera Chinese pirates. Even though no one is particularly anxious to get the girl back, gormless petty officer Dingle (Gordon Harker) scurries off to her rescue (Dingle was but a minor character in the play, but Harker was a major box-office draw). George Curzon, best remembered as the eye-twitching murderer in Hitchcock's Young and Innocent, scores a comic bull's-eye as the oafish pirate captain.

[75 min - Comedy - Black and White - English - UK - John Stafford Productions]

Captain Blood (1935)

Director: Michael Curtiz

Writers: Rafael Sabatini (novel) and Casey Robinson (screenplay)

Cast: Errol Flynn [Captain Peter Blood], Olivia de Havilland [Arabella Bishop], Lionel Atwill [Colonel Bishop], Basil Rathbone [Levasseur], Ross Alexander [Jeremy Pitt, Blood's Friend and Navigator], Guy Kibbee [Henry Hagthorpe, Another Crewman and Master Gunner], Henry Stephenson [Lord Willoughby], Robert Barrat [John Wolverstone], Hobart Cavanaugh [Dr. Bronson], Donald Meek [Dr. Whacker], Jessie Ralph [Mrs. Barlow], Forrester Harvey [Honesty Nuttall], Frank McGlynn Sr. [Rev. Uriah Ogle], Holmes Herbert [Capt. Gardner], David Torrence [Andrew Baynes], J. Carrol Naish [Cahusac, as J. Carroll Naish], Pedro de Cordoba [Don Diego], George Hassell [Governor Steed], Harry Cording [Kent], Leonard Mudie [Baron Jeffreys], Ivan F. Simpson [The Prosecutor, as Ivan Simpson], Stuart Casey [Capt. Hobart], David Cavendish [Lord Gildoy, as Dennis D. Auburn], Mary Forbes [Mrs. Steed], E.E. Clive [Clerk of the Court], Colin Kenny [Lord Chester Dyke], Maude Leslie [Mrs. Baynes], Gardner James [Slave], Vernon Steele [King James II], Gene Alsace [Oliver Clark - Pirate (uncredited)], Sam Appel [Gunner (uncredited)], Reginald Barlow [Dixon (uncredited)], Matthew 'Stymie' Beard [Governor's Attendant (uncredited)], Wayne Castle [One-Legged Pirate (uncredited)], Yola d'Avril [Girl in Tavern (uncredited)], Florence Fair [Woman with Baby (uncredited)], Halliwell Hobbes [Lord Sunderland (uncredited)], Murray Kinnell [Court Clerk (uncredited)], Alphonse Martell [French Officer (uncredited)], Chris-Pin Martin [Sentry (uncredited)], Jim Mason [Pirate (uncredited)], Tina Menard [Girl in Tavern (uncredited)], Louis Mercier [Pirate (uncredited)], Kansas Moehring [Pirate (uncredited)], John Northpole [Pirate (uncredited)], Artie Ortego [Pirate (uncredited)], Henry Otho [David Sampson - Pirate (uncredited)], Paul Panzer [Pirate (uncredited)], Frank Puglia [French Officer (uncredited)], Georges Renavent [French Captain (uncredited)], Buddy Roosevelt [Pirate (uncredited)], Cliff Saum [Pirate (uncredited)], Tom Steele [Pirate (uncredited)], Jim Thorpe [Pirate (uncredited)], David Thursby [Lookout on English Ship (uncredited)], Renee Torres [Girl in Tavern (uncredited)], Blackie Whiteford [Pirate (uncredited)], Tom Wilson [Pirate (uncredited)], William Yetter Sr. [Pirate (uncredited)]

Storyline: In 17th-century England, Irish doctor Peter Blood (Errol Flynn) is summoned to aid Lord Gildoy, a wounded patron who participated in the Monmouth Rebellion. Arrested while performing his duties as a physician, he is convicted of treason against the King and sentenced to death by the infamous Judge Jeffreys. By the whim of King James II, who sees an opportunity for profit, Blood and the surviving rebels are transported to the West Indies to be sold into slavery. In Port Royal, Blood is purchased by Arabella Bishop (Olivia de Havilland), the beautiful niece of local military commander Colonel Bishop (Lionel Atwill). Attracted by Blood's rebellious nature, Arabella does her best to improve his situation by recommending him as the personal physician of the colony's governor, who suffers from painful gout. Outwardly resentful towards Arabella, yet silently appreciative for her efforts on his behalf, Blood develops an escape plan for himself and his fellow slaves. The plan is almost uncovered by the suspicious Colonel Bishop, who has one of Blood's men flogged and interrogated. Blood is spared a similar fate when a Spanish squadron attacks Port Royal. During the raid, Blood and his fellow slaves seize the Spanish ship from its drunken night watch, and sail away to begin lives of piracy. Blood and his men quickly achieve success and fame. When the old governor is unable to contain the pirate menace, Colonel Bishop becomes governor. He sends Arabella to England on a sojourn. Three years later, she returns to the Caribbean. Her ship, also carrying royal emissary Lord Willoughby (Henry Stephenson), is captured by Blood's treacherous partner, Captain Levasseur (Basil Rathbone). He plans to hold them for ransom, but Blood forces Levasseur to sell them to him; he relishes the opportunity to turn the tables on Arabella. Levasseur objects vehemently, and Blood kills him in a duel. Blood offers Arabella valuable jewelry from his conquests as a sign of his love for her. Ungrateful for her "rescue", Arabella is indignant at having been purchased by Blood, and calls him thief and a pirate. Angered by this rejection, he gallantly orders his men to set sail for Port Royal to deliver Arabella and Lord Willoughby, despite the danger to himself and his crew. As they approach, they sight two French warships attacking Port Royal. Bishop has left it undefended in his single-minded pursuit of Blood. With England now at war with France, Lord Willoughby pleads with Blood to save the colony, but the captain and his crew refuse to fight for the corrupt king. Willoughby reveals that James II has been deposed in the Glorious Revolution; England's new king, William of Orange, has sent Willoughby to offer Blood and his men full pardons and commissions in the Royal Navy. This news changes their minds, and they quickly prepare for battle. After setting Arabella ashore, Blood and his men approach Port Royal flying French colors, but soon that ensign is replaced with the British Union Jack. A pitched ship-to-ship battle ensues, leading to frenzied hand-to-hand deck combat. Blood and his men defeat the French frigates, saving the colony. As a reward, Blood is appointed the new governor of Port Royal by Lord Willoughby. He has the pleasure of dealing with his hostile predecessor, now returned from his hunt and under arrest for dereliction of duty in a time of war. As Arabella playfully pleads with the new governor to spare her Uncle's life, Peter Blood reveals his face to the astonished Colonel. With a sly smile of triumph, he greets Bishop with, "Good morning, Uncle", having won the hand and heart of Arabella.

[119 min - Action | Adventure | Romance - English - Black and White - 1.37 : 1 - USA - Warner Bros. Pictures]

China Seas (1935)

Director: Tay Garnett

Writers: Jules Furthman (screenplay), James Kevin McGuinness (screenplay), Crosbie Garstin (book), Paul Bern (contributor to story, uncredited), Paul Hervey Fox (contributor to dialogue, uncredited) Monckton Hoffe (early script writer, uncredited), John Lee Mahin (contributor to screenplay construction, uncredited) and Maurice Revnes (early script writer, uncredited)

Cast: Clark Gable [Alan Gaskell], Jean Harlow [China Doll], Wallace Beery [Jamesy MacArdle], Lewis Stone [Davids], Rosalind Russell [Sybil], Dudley Digges [Dawson], C. Aubrey Smith [Sir Guy], Robert Benchley [McCaleb], William Henry [Rockwell], Liev De Maigret [Mrs. Vollberg, as Live de Maigret], Lilian Bond [Mrs. Timmons, as Lillian Bond], Edward Brophy [Timmons], Soo Yong [Yu-Lan], Carol Ann Beery [Carol Ann], Akim Tamiroff [Romanoff], Ivan Lebedeff [Ngah], Harry C. Bradley [(scenes deleted)], Charles Coleman [(scenes deleted)], Edward McWade [(scenes deleted)], Daisy Belmore [Martha, Sybil's Maid (uncredited)], Barlowe Borland [Willett, Royal Canada Bank (uncredited)], Emily Fitzroy [Mrs. Higgins (uncredited)], Pat Flaherty [Second Officer Kingston (uncredited)], Willie Fung [Cabin Boy Ah Sing (uncredited)], Chester Gan [Rickshaw Boy (uncredited)], Tom Gubbins [Ship's Officer / Sergeant of the Guards (uncredited)], Forrester Harvey [Chief Steward Ted Gary (uncredited)], John Ince [Ship's Pilot (uncredited)], Charles Irwin [Bertie the Purser (uncredited)], Tetsu Komai [Malay Pirate (uncredited)], Eddie Lee [Sailor on Bridge (uncredited)], Richard Loo [Chinese Inspector at Gangplank (uncredited)], Hattie McDaniel [Isabel McCarthy, Dolly's Maid (uncredited)], Malcolm McGregor [Atkins, Dock Manager (uncredited)], Donald Meek [Passenger Playing Chess (uncredited)], Ferdinand Munier [Police Superintendent (uncredited)], Beatrice Roberts [Ship's Passenger (uncredited)], James Wang [Trapshooting Attendant (uncredited)], Bobby Watson [Man on Dock with McCaleb (uncredited)]

Storyline: When earthy Dolly Portland is rejected by Captain Gaskell in favor of a socialite, she aids Jamesy McCardle, in league with Malay pirates, in his plot to seize his ship. Alan Gaskell is the captain of a steam vessel flying in the Yellow Sea. With new valuable cargo and illustrious passengers he wants to make his way to Singapore. In his cabin, he finds his girlfriend China Doll who really want to travel with him. He is against it, but can not enforce. As even his ex-mistress Sybil Barclay on his ship takes up the journey, the problems for Alan are inevitable. Sybil is a young widow who makes hopes the magnificent Alan Gaskell again. As China Doll learns that Alan and Sybil want to get married, it separates jealous of Alan and begins an affair with her old friend James MacArdle. China Doll accidentally discovers that MacArdle Gaskell would steal charge with Gold. Warns Alan, of her but no longer familiar, and he ignored the warning. China Doll feels offended then and steals for MacArdle the key for the cargo hold. During a storm to Gaskell refuses to throw the loaded steamroller overboard, although the ship is in danger of capsizing. When the ship is eventually attacked by pirates, they held the gold just sand. Gaskell has hidden the money in the steamroller. MacArdle orders the pirates to torture Gaskell, so this really is the place of the hiding place. Opposite Alan Gaskell he pretends not to be among the pirates. The pirate can eventually be overwhelmed by the former captain Tom Davids. China Doll and MacArdle now want opposite Gaskell speak freely from the piracy suspected. But Gaskell knows that the two were involved. MacArdle takes the blame finally on his own, takes but shortly after his confession life. When the ship reached Singapore, Sybil must realize that Alan Gaskell rather China Doll loves and leaves him. China Doll fears after the arrival, the police and the loss Alans. When Alan her but his love confesses she embarks calmed in the custody of the police. Alan Gaskell hand prepares for a new journey. The film crew and Brent choose a deception. They dress up as insurgents and play on arrival of kidnapped ocean liner the uprising leader. Using the repentant Morton, they manage to fight the mercenaries. With meantime notified warships to put down the rebellion succeeds; Morton is rehabilitated is restored as a naval officer.

[87 min - Action | Drama | Adventure | Romance - English - Black and White - 1.37 : 1 - USA - Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)]

Drake of England [aka Drake the Pirate] (1935)

Director: Arthur B. Woods

Writers: Marjorie Deans, Clifford Grey, Louis N. Parker (play "Drake of England"), Ákos Tolnay and Norman Watson           

Cast: Matheson Lang [Francis Drake], Athene Seyler [Queen Elizabeth], Jane Baxter [Elizabeth Sydenham], Henry Mollison [John Doughty], Ben Webster [Lord Burghley], Donald Wolfit [Thomas Doughty], George Merritt [Tom Moore], Amy Veness [Mother Moore], Sam Livesey [Sir George Sydenham], Margaret Halstan [Lady Sydenham], Charles Quatermaine [Parson Fletcher], Allan Jeayes [Don Bernardino], Gibb McLaughlin [Don Enriquez], Helen Haye [Lady Lennox], Moore Marriott [Bright], Arthur Goullet [Minor role (uncredited)], Laurence Hanray [Minor role (uncredited)], Torin Thatcher [(uncredited)]

Storyline: Drake of England was released variously to the British Empire, its commonwealths and the United States as Drake the Pirate and Elizabeth of England. In an agreeably compact fashion, the film recounts the exploits of British privateer Sir Francis Drake (played by the slightly long-in-tooth Matheson Lang), culminating with his 1588 triumph over the Spanish Armada. Athene Seyler appears as Queen Elizabeth I, bad wig and all. A goodly portion of screen time is devoted to the secret marriage between Drake and one of Elizabeth’s ladies-in-waiting (Jane Baxter). Drake of England was based on a flagwaving stage play by Louis N. Parker. His exploits made him a hero to the English but a pirate to the Spaniards to whom he was known as El Draque. King Philip II was said to have offered a reward of 20,000 ducats, about £4 million (US$6.5m) by modern standards, for his life. In 1573, he joined Guillaume Le Testu, a French buccaneer, in an attack on a richly laden mule train. Drake and his party found that they had captured around 20 tons of silver and gold. They buried much of the treasure, as it was too much for their party to carry. An account of this may have given rise to subsequent stories of pirates and buried treasure. Wounded, Le Testu was captured and later beheaded. The small band of adventurers dragged as much gold and silver as they could carry back across some 18 miles of jungle-covered mountains to where they had left the raiding boats. When they got to the coast, the boats were gone. Drake and his men, downhearted, exhausted and hungry, had nowhere to go and the Spanish were not far behind. When Drake returned to Plymouth after the raids, the government signed a temporary truce with King Philip II of Spain and so was unable to acknowledge Drake's accomplishment officially. Drake was considered a hero in England and a pirate in Spain for his raids.

[99 min - Action | Biography | Drama - English - Black and White - 1.37 : 1 - UK - British International Pictures (BIP)]

Midshipman Easy (1935)

Director: Carol Reed

Writers: Anthony Kimmins, Frederick Marryat (novel) and Peggy Thompson (uncredited)

Cast: Hughie Green [Midshipman Easy], Margaret Lockwood [Donna Agnes], Harry Tate [Mr. Biggs], Robert Adams [Mesty], Roger Livesey [Captain Wilson], Dennis Wyndham [Don Silvio], Lewis Casson [Mr. Easy], Tom Gill [Gascoine], Frederick Burtwell [Mr. Easthupp], Desmond Tester [Gossett], Dorothy Holmes-Gore [Mrs. Easy], Norman Walker, Arthur Hambling, Arnold Lucy, Esme Church             

Storyline: Based upon a famous swashbuckling adventure story by Captain Frederick Marryat, Midshipman Easy is a ripping yarn that served as Carol Reed's solo directorial debut. Jack Easy (16-year-old Hughie Green) signs on for a tour of duty aboard the HMS Harpy, a British ship sailing the Spanish-ridden seas of the eighteenth century. His many adventures in this episodic tale include overpowering a mean-spirited fellow-midshipman; rescuing the Harpy during a particularly nasty storm; intercepting a gold-laden Spanish ship; fighting a duel; capturing the infamous bandit Don Silvio (Dennis Wyndham); and flirting with the exotic Donna Agnes Ribiera (played by young Margaret Lockwood). Midshipman served to bring Reed to the attention of Graham Greene; the two would later collaborate on such films as The Fallen Idol and The Third Man.

[70 min - Adventure - Black and White - English - UK - Associated Talking Pictures (ATP)]

Naughty Marietta (1935)

Directed by Robert Z. Leonard (uncredited) and W.S. Van Dyke (uncredited)

Writers: Rida Johnson Young (book), John Lee Mahin (screen play), Frances Goodrich (screen play), Albert Hackett (screen play), Felix E. Feist (uncredited), William Hurlbut (uncredited), Bella Spewack (uncredited) and Carey Wilson (uncredited)

Cast: Jeanette MacDonald [Princess Marie de Namour de la Bonfain - Marietta Franini], Nelson Eddy [Captain Richard Warrington], Frank Morgan [Governor Gaspard d'Annard], Elsa Lanchester [Madame d'Annard], Douglass Dumbrille [Prince de Namour de la Bonfain - Uncle to Princess Marie, as Douglas Dumbrille], Joseph Cawthorn [Herr Schumann, as Joseph Cawthorne], Cecilia Parker [Julie], Walter Kingsford [Don Carlos de Braganza], Greta Meyer [Frau Schumann], Akim Tamiroff [Rudolpho], Harold Huber [Abraham "Abe"], Edward Brophy [Ezekial "Zeke" Cramer], Zari Elmassian [Suzette (voice)], Jane Barnes [Casquette Girl (uncredited)], Arthur Belasco [Mercenary Scout (uncredited)], Margaret Bloodgood [Casquette Girl (uncredited)], Ed Brady [Mercenary Scout (uncredited)], Ralph Brooks [Suitor (uncredited)], Charles Bruins [Singer (uncredited)], William Burress [Petshop Keeper (uncredited)], Georgia Caine [(uncredited)], Olive Carey [Madame Renavant (uncredited)], Adriana Caselotti [Dancing Doll (uncredited)], Jean Chatburn [Casquette Girl (uncredited)], Edmund Cobb [Mercenary Scout (uncredited)], Cora Sue Collins [Felice (uncredited)], Harry Cording [Pirate (uncredited)], William Desmond [Gendarme Chief (uncredited)], Billy Dooley [Marietta's Drunken Brother (uncredited)], Mary Doran [Casquette Girl (uncredited)], Tex Driscoll [Mercenary Scout (uncredited)], Charles Dunbar [Mercenary Scout (uncredited)], Minta Durfee [(uncredited)], Margo Early [(uncredited)], Kay English [Casquette Girl (uncredited)], Patricia Farley [Casquette Girl (uncredited)], Vessie Farrell [(uncredited)], Pat Flaherty [(uncredited)], Mary Foy [Duenna (uncredited)], Dorothy Granger [(uncredited)], Lawrence Grant [(uncredited)], Robert Graves [(uncredited)], Roger Gray [Jacques the Suitor (uncredited)], Catherine Griffith [Prunella the Maid (uncredited)], Kit Guard [(uncredited)], Frank Hagney [Mercenary Scout (uncredited)], Ben Hall [Mama's Boy (uncredited)], Edward Hearn [Mercenary Scout (uncredited)], Richard Hemingway [(uncredited)], Olin Howland [(uncredited)], Delos Jewkes [Barber (uncredited)], Edward Keane [Major Bonnell (uncredited)], Crauford Kent [(uncredited)], Edouard Lippe [Landlord (uncredited)], Walter Long [Pirate Leader (uncredited)], Mary Loos [(uncredited)], Wilfred Lucas [Announcer (uncredited)], Robert McKenzie [Town Crier (uncredited)], Jane Mercer [Casquette Girl (uncredited)], Louis Mercier [Duelist (uncredited)], James C. Morton [Herald (uncredited)], Jack Mower [Sergeant (uncredited)], Edward Norris [Suitor (uncredited)], Linda Parker [Casquette Girl (uncredited)], Peter Potter [Priest on Dock (uncredited)], Richard Powell [Messenger (uncredited)], Beatrice Roberts [(uncredited)], Constantine Romanoff [Pirate (uncredited)], Henry Roquemore [Pirate (uncredited)], Helen Shipman [Servant to Princess Marie's Uncle - the Real Marietta Franini (uncredited)], Harry Tenbrook [Prospective Groom (uncredited)], Harry Tyler [Suitor (uncredited)], Guy Usher [Ship's Captain (uncredited)], Judith Vosselli [(uncredited)]

Storyline: Naughty Marietta is a 1935 film based on the operetta Naughty Marietta by Victor Herbert. Jeanette MacDonald stars as a princess who flees an arranged marriage. She sails for New Orleans and is rescued from pirates by Captain Richard Warrington (Nelson Eddy). Five of Victor Herbert's most famous songs come from the score of Naughty Marietta, with words by lyricist Rida Johnson Young: "Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life", "Italian Street Song", "Neath the Southern Moon", "I'm Falling in Love with Someone", "Tramp! Tramp! Tramp! (Along the Highway)". Additional lyrics for several of Herbert's songs were penned for the film by Gus Kahn. The film was written by Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, John Lee Mahin and Rida Johnson Young. To avoid an arranged marriage to Don Carlos, an elderly Spanish duke, Princess Marie masquerades as her uncle's former servant, Marietta, and escapes from France on a ship with casquette girls who are traveling to New Orleans to marry colonists. On board, Marietta befriends Julie. On route, the women discuss what type of man they want to marry. "Marietta" shocks the other girls by stating that she does not intend to get married to anyone. Shortly after, the ship is boarded by pirates, who kill the entire crew and take the girls ashore. After the pirates divide the loot, they turn their attention to the girls. Just then, singing is heard ("Tramp! Tramp! Tramp!"). The pirates extinguish their torches and fire to try to avoid detection, but Marietta takes one of the torches and runs towards the sound of the singing, crying out "help, help". Mercenaries rout the pirates and rescue the women. The mercenaries' leader, Captain Richard Warrington, sings "Neath a Southern Moon" to Marietta. Despite his attraction to her, however, Warrington declares that he does not intend to get married. Warrington and his men take the casquette girls to New Orleans, where they are welcomed by the Governor. The women are housed in the convent while they get to know their potential husbands. When some men approach Marietta, she declares that she does not want to marry any of them. The Governor feels that he has seen Marietta before in Paris, but she denies it. When she pretends to have a disreputable past, the Governor orders a pair of soldiers to escort her away in disgrace. Warrington relieves them of their duty and finds her a place to stay, even paying the first month's rent. Though Marietta tries to rid herself of Warrington, he is undaunted. Just then, a group of gypsies stroll by, advertising their Marionette Theater. The gypsy leader, Rodolpho, has his daughter sing, and Warrington joins in ("Italian Street Song"). Stung by Warrington's remark that she might not be able to sing as well as the gypsy, Marietta surprises him by doing so beautifully. While he is distracted getting rid of three would-be suitors, she slips away. The following day, Warrington discovers that Marietta is working at the Marionette Theater. When he visits her after the performance, Marietta tells him that his presence is "most unwelcome". The captain asks her if he would be welcome "somewhere else"; Marietta answers "yes". As she goes out for lunch, Warrington joins her, noting that he is "somewhere else", and "Here I am – welcome me". She is unable to suppress a smile, indicating she has changed her opinion of him. Soon after, however, a large award is offered for information about her whereabouts. Warrington persuades her to trust him, and takes her away by boat. During this time together, they discover that they are falling in love with each other ("I'm Falling in Love with Someone"). When Warrington asks Marietta to sing the song back to him, she says that she has a song she knows better. Later, however, they are found by French soldiers, and her true identity is revealed. Her uncle and Don Carlos are expected on the next ship to take her back. Marietta is to attend a ball arranged by the Governor in her honor. Julie comes to see her; she tells Marietta that Warrington had been ordered to leave New Orleans that day, but intends to come to the ball. Her uncle warns her that "if Warrington attempted to see her again, he would be arrested for treason and shot". Marietta asks Julie to stop Warrington from coming, but they realize it is too late when they hear him and his men singing ("Tramp! Tramp! Tramp!"). When Warrington enters the ballroom, the Governor tries to get him to leave in order to save his life. After the captain dances with Marietta, she tells him that she will sing her song to him the following evening. She pretends to have been toying with him to deceive her uncle. When Warrington is leaving, Marietta sings "Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life", joined by Warrington. The lovers then flee to the wild frontier.

[105 min - Drama | Musical | Romance - Black and White - 1.37 : 1 - USA - Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)]

[cartoon] Peg Leg Pete, the Pirate (1935) [Terrytoons Episode 135]

Directors: Frank Moser and Paul Terry

Writer: Paul Terry

Storyline: It's the operetta about the peg-legged pirate hippopotamus trying to kidnap the hero's girlfriend again in this Terrytoon directed by Moser and Terry. In this period, each iteration of a particular Terrytoon plot - and Paul Terry reused his limited number of stories as often as Mack Sennett had - showed some technical advance. Terry had been laying off operettas for a few months, having his musical director Philip Scheib do background scores, the sort of music that A movies use to get the audience in the mood for a particular scene. With the return of the operetta form to Terrytoons, we have a larger orchestra and a score that supports that sense, at least for the exciting battle scenes. It's the sort of sound that Scheib would use for the next decade; the style of orchestration would be used in Mighty Mouse cartoons, and even the Heckle & Jeckle shorts when things got busy. 

[Animation l Short - English - Black and White - USA - Terrytoons]

Pirate Party on Catalina Isle (1935)

Director: Gene Burdette (uncredited)

Writer: Gene Burdette (uncredited) and Alexander Van Dorn (continuity)

Cast: Charles 'Buddy' Rogers [Himself, as Charles ['Buddy'] Rogers and his California Cavaliers], Sterling Young [Himself, as Sterling Young and his Orchestra], The Fanchonettes [Themselves - Female Dance Troupe], Robert Armstrong [Performer], Vince Barnett [Performer], Jack Duffy [Old Pirate], Blanche Mehaffey [Girl on Pier], Bill Casper [Performer], Rue Tyler's Banjo Band [Themselves], Monica Bannister [Girl on Sailboat (uncredited)], Bonnie Bannon [Girl on Sailboat (uncredited)], Lynn Bari [Girl on Sailboat (uncredited)], Virginia Bruce [Herself (uncredited)], Betty Burgess [Singer / Tap Dancer (uncredited)], Margaret Carthew [Girl on Sailboat (uncredited)], Lili Damita [Herself (uncredited)], Marion Davies [Herself (uncredited)], Johnny Downs [Singer / Tap Dancer (uncredited)], Leon Errol [Pirate (uncredited)], Errol Flynn [Himself (uncredited)], Cary Grant [Himself (uncredited)], Irene Hervey [Herself (uncredited)], Jeanie Lang [Herself (uncredited)], Mary Lange [Girl on Sailboat (uncredited)], Chester Morris [Pirate Captain (uncredited)], Eddie Peabody [Banjo Player (uncredited)], Wanda Perry [Girl on Sailboat (uncredited)], Mickey Rooney [Himself (uncredited)], Randolph Scott [Himself (uncredited)], Sid Silvers [Pirate (uncredited)], Mary Stewart [Fanchonette (uncredited)], Lee Tracy [Pirate (uncredited)], Rue Tyler [Himself - Banjo Band Leader (uncredited)]

Storyline: Various Hollywood performers put on a pirate-themed variety show on Catalina Island, with a number of amiable stars in the audience. That pirates used to sail off the coast of California around Catalina is a good excuse to hold a pirate themed party on the island. The centerpiece of the party, which is attended by a cavalcade of Hollywood luminaries, is a musical comedy revue emceed by Pirate Captain Chester Morris, and backed up musically by Charles 'Buddy' Rogers and his California Cavaliers. The party guests are wearing pirate costumes, and all the acts in the revue have a pirate and/or nautical theme.

[19 min - Short | Comedy | Music - English - Color - 1.37 : 1 - USA - Louis Lewyn Productions]

[cartoon] Sinbad the Sailor (1935) [ComiColor Cartoon 16]

Director: Ub Iwerks (uncredited)

Storyline: Sinbad battles a band of pirates at sea and on a tropical isle. A giant bird rescues him, and he ends up back on his ship with the pirates' treasure. This is another of those cartoons that had so many sight gags you'd lose count trying to list them all. It was great fun. Many of those gags, as they tend to be in cartoons, particularly in the mid '30s, involved inanimate objects coming to life. Here, in this pirate story, we see a ship suddenly sprouting legs and walking! The ship's skull-and-crossbones comes to life with the skull using the crossbones as a lookout glass; the cannons come to life and burp as they fire out ammunition, etc. Also included in this wild action cartoon are scenes involving bowling and baseball, bare-breasted women (I was surprised it got past the Code), and a parrot that is an unlikely hero. This is a frenetic seven minutes and highly recommended for escapist, fun fare. 

[7 min - Animation l Short l Family - English - Color (Cinecolor) - 1.37 : 1 - USA - Celebrity Productions]