MOVIES - PIRATES 1943-1944

• Figlio del corsaro rosso, Il [aka Son of the Red Pirate, The] (1943)

• Ultimi filibustieri, Gli [aka Last Filibusters, The] (1943)

• Corsario Negro, El [aka Black Pirate, The] (1944)

• Frenchman's Creek (1944)

• Haunted Harbor [aka Pirates' Harbor] (1944)

• Princess and the Pirate (1944)

Figlio del corsaro rosso, Il [aka Son of the Red Pirate, The] (1943)

Director: Marco Elter

Writers: Sergio Amidei (screenplay), Alberto Consiglio (screenplay), Umberto De Franciscis (screenplay), Pietro Germi (screenplay), Antonio Leonviola (screenplay), Camillo Mariani Dell'Aguillara (screenplay), Renato May (screenplay) and Emilio Salgari (novel)

Cast: Vittorio Sanipoli [Enrico di Ventimiglia, as Vittorio Sanni], Luisa Ferida [Carmen], Memo Benassi [Il marchese di Montelimar], Loredana [Neala], Pina Renzi [Panchita], Aldo Silvani [Don Barrejo de la Tuelva], Idolo Tancredi [Un corsaro], Domenico Viglione Borghese [Un corsaro], Felice Minotti [Un corsaro]

Storyline: The Son of the Red Corsairis a mixture of adventure, humor, and romance. Part of the series usually referred to as Pirati delle Antille, it is the story of Enrico di Ventimiglia, the Son of the Red Corsair, as he travels through the Spanish conquests of Central America in search of the stepsister he has never met. In his adventure, the Count is helped by the faithful Mendoza, the incomparable Don Barrejo, Buttafuoco, a nobleman-turned-buccaneer, and bands of pirates of the Caribbean.

[80 min - Adventure - Italian - Black and White - Italy - B.C. Film]

Ultimi filibustieri, Gli [aka Last Filibusters, The] (1943)

Director: Marco Elter

Writers: Sergio Amidei (screenplay), Alberto Consiglio (screenplay), Umberto De Franciscis (screenplay), Pietro Germi (screenplay), Antonio Leonviola (screenplay), Camillo Mariani Dell'Aguillara (screenplay), Renato May (screenplay), Emilio Salgari (novel) and Luigi Zampa (screenplay)

Cast: Vittorio Sanipoli [Enrico di Ventimiglia, as Vittorio Sanni], Loredana [Neala], Osvaldo Valenti [Ramon de la Sierra], Nerio Bernardi [Il governatore di Guayaquil], Pina Renzi [Panchita], Aldo Silvani [Don Barrejo de la Tuelva], Idolo Tancredi [Un corsaro], Domenico Viglione Borghese [Il falso predicatore], Virgilio Botti [Un corsaro], Enrico Gozzo [Un corsaro], Felice Minotti [Un corsaro]

Storyline: Neala, daughter of the Red Corsair, is held captive in a fortress by the governor of Las Palmas, who intends to marry her to take possession of her dowry. Brother Neala, helped by pirates, unable to storm the fortress and to free her, killing the governor.

[82 min - Adventure - Italian - Black and White - Italy - B.C. Film]

Corsario Negro, El [aka Black Pirate, The] (1944)

Director: Chano Urueta

Writers: Antonio Momplet, A. Ramos Pedrueza, Emilio Salgari (novel) and Chano Urueta    

Cast: Pedro Armendáriz [El corsario Negro], June Marlowe [Honorata de Van Gould], María Luisa Zea [Yara], Antonio Díaz [Corsario Rojo], José Baviera [Gobernador de Van Gould], Paco Fuentes [Van Stiller], José Díaz Morales, José Elías Moreno [Van Guld], Alejandro Cobo, Ángel T. Sala, Rafael Icardo, Gino Agustino, Antonio Haro Oliva, Jorge Arriaga [Noble (uncredited)], Joaquín Cordero [Pirata (uncredited)], Juan García [Iván, corsario (uncredited)], Víctor Junco [Corsario (uncredited)], Salvador Lozano [Corsario (uncredited)], José Pulido [Corsario (uncredited)]

Storyline: This Mexican drama features murder, revenge, ruling power and romance in Eighteenth century Maracaibo. Two pirates, Carmaux and Wan Stiller, are rescued by the Thunder, a pirate ship under the command of Emilio di Roccabruna of Roccanera, Lord of Valpenta and of Ventimiglia, and feared throughout the Caribbean as the Black Corsair. Once aboard, the two inform the captain that his younger brother the "Red Corsair" has been hanged by Duke van Guld, the Governor of Maracaibo. The Black Corsair decides to sneak into the city to retrieve his brother's body and give him an honourable burial at sea. Carmaux and Wan Stiller accompany the Corsair to the city, and aided by their friend Moko, manage to steal the body. After a series of adventures the Corsair and his men return to the Thunder with the body. On the night the Corsair buries his brother, he vows to slay Van Guld and all those who bear his name. En route to Tortuga, the pirates attack and capture a Spanish ship. They find a young noblewoman aboard, Honorata Willerman, the Duchess of Weltrendrem. She is taken captive to Tortuga where she is to await payment of her ransom. Struck by her beauty and spirit, the Corsair frees her and the two quickly fall in love. The hunt for Governor Van Guld resumes and the Black Corsair and L'Ollonais lead an attack on Maracaibo. Unfortunately the governor escapes and the Black Corsair and his companions must track him through the jungles of Venezuela. There they encounter savage beasts, quick sand, and cannibals. Van Guld proves elusive and to capture him the pirates must make an assault on the city of Gibraltar, Venezuela.

[100 min - Adventure | Action | Drama - Spanish - Black and White - 1.37 : 1 - Mexico - Clasa Films Mundiales]

Frenchman's Creek (1944)

Director: Mitchell Leisen

Writers: Daphne Du Maurier (novel) and Talbot Jennings

Cast: Joan Fontaine [Dona St. Columb], Arturo de Córdova [Jean Benoit Aubrey], Basil Rathbone [Lord Rockingham], Nigel Bruce [Lord Godolphin], Cecil Kellaway [William], Ralph Forbes [Harry St. Columb], Harald Maresch [Edmond, as Harald Ramond], Billy Daniel [Pierre Blanc, as Billy Daniels], Moyna MacGill [Lady Godolphin], Patricia Barker [Henrietta], David James [James], Phyllis Barry [Woman in Gaming House (uncredited)], George Barton [Pirate Crewman (uncredited)], Bunny Beatty [Alice (uncredited)], Noble Blake [Pirate Crewman (uncredited)], David Cavendish [Guest (uncredited)], Bob Clark [Pirate Crewman (uncredited)], Neal Clisby [Pirate Crewman (uncredited)], David Clyde [Martin - Coachman (uncredited)], Charles Coleman [Thomas - Footman (uncredited)], Edward Cooper [Croupier (uncredited)], Leslie Denison [John Nankervis (uncredited)], Patrick Desmond [Pirate Crewman (uncredited)], James Dime [Pirate Crewman (uncredited)], Harvey Easton [Pirate Crewman (uncredited)], Henry A. Escalante [Pirate Crewman (uncredited)], Al Ferguson [Jail Guard (uncredited)], Mary Field [Prue (uncredited)], Art Foster [Pirate Crewman (uncredited)], Vincent Gironda [Pirate Crewman (uncredited)], Arthur Gould-Porter [Thomas Eustick (uncredited)], Denis Green [Philip Rashleigh (uncredited)], Frank Hagney [Cornishman (uncredited)], Keith Hitchcock [Watchman (uncredited)], Leyland Hodgson [Guest (uncredited)], Kenneth Hunter [Guest (uncredited)], Boyd Irwin [Guest (uncredited)], Charles Irwin [Zachariah Smith (uncredited)], Jerry James [Bit Role (uncredited)], Jacques Karre [Pirate Crewman (uncredited)], Alice Kirby [Bit Role (uncredited)], George Kirby [Dr. Williams (uncredited)], Fred Kohler Jr. [Pirate (uncredited)], Louise La Planche [Bit Role (uncredited)], John Latito [Pirate Crewman (uncredited)], Doris Lloyd [Undetermined Role (uncredited)], Charles Mayon [Bit Role (uncredited)], Arthur Mulliner [Guest (uncredited)], Frederic Nay [Bit Role (uncredited)], Paul Oman [Luc (uncredited)], Marcella Phillips [Bit Role (uncredited)], Allen Pinson [Pirate Crewman (uncredited)], Hal Rand [Bit Role (uncredited)], Gordon Richards [Guest (uncredited)], Victor Romito [Pirate Crewman (uncredited)], Ronald R. Rondell [Pirate Crewman (uncredited)], John Roy [Pirate Crewman (uncredited)], Albert Ruiz [Bit Role (uncredited)], Charles Schaeffer [Pirate Crewman (uncredited)], Leonard St. Leo [Pirate (uncredited)], Sammy Stein [Pirate Crewman (uncredited)], Robert R. Stephenson [Jail Guard (uncredited)], Eleanor Stewart [Bit Role (uncredited)], Armand Tanny [Pirate Crewman (uncredited)], Evan Thomas [Robert Penrose (uncredited)], David Thursby [Ostler (uncredited)], Betty Walker [Bit Role (uncredited)], Audrey Westphal [Bit Role (uncredited)], Constance Worth [Woman in Gaming House (uncredited)]

Storyline: An English lady falls madly in love with a French Pirate. Daphne du Maurier's novel formed the basis for this romantic adventure saga. Lady Dona St. Columb (Joan Fontaine), an English noblewoman, is unhappily married to the weak-willed Harry St. Columb (Ralph Forbes), while Harry's sinister best friend Lord Rockingham (Basil Rathbone) makes no secret of his desire for her. When she discovers the ship of a French pirate, Jean Benoit Aubrey (Arturo DeCordova), docked near her estate, she makes the acquaintance of the dashing buccaneer, and she soon finds herself infatuated with him. Dona impulsively joins Jean as he stages a raid against wealthy landowner Lord Godolphin (Nigel Bruce); when Dona learns that Harry and Rockingham plan to capture the pirate, she stages a dinner party to distract them and then sends word to Jean that he is in danger. Jean soon appears at the St. Columb estate, putting Harry and Rockingham behind bars and urging Dona to run away with him. She declines, choosing not to follow her heart but to instead stay home to raise her children; however, Rockingham overhears this conversation and uses it to blackmail Dona into having his way with her.

[110 min - Adventure | Drama | Romance - English - Color (Technicolor) - 1.37 : 1 - USA - Paramount Pictures]

Haunted Harbor [aka Pirates' Harbor] (1944)

Directors: Spencer Gordon Bennet and Wallace Grissell

Writers: Ewart Adamson (novel, as Dayle Douglas), Royal K. Cole (screenplay, as Royal Cole), Basil Dickey (screenplay), Jesse Duffy (screenplay), Grant Nelson (screenplay) and Joseph F. Poland (screenplay, as Joseph Poland)

Cast: Kane Richmond [Jim Marsden], Kay Aldridge [Patricia Harding], Roy Barcroft [Carter / Kane], Clancy Cooper [Yank], Marshall Reed [Tommy, as Marshall J. Reed], Oscar O'Shea [John Galbraith, Chs. 1, 7, 15], Forrest Taylor [Dr. Oliver Harding, Chs. 1-4], Hal Taliaferro [Lawson, Ch. 1, 6-7], Edward Keane [Fredrick Vorhees, Ch. 1], George J. Lewis [Dranga], Kenne Duncan [Gregg], Bud Geary [Snell], Robert Homans [Port Captain, Chs. 1, 15], Duke Green [Constable #2, Chs. 1,7 / Kassim, Ch. 2 / Henchman Neville, Chs. 6-7 / Cabin thug, Ch. 8 / Radio bomb thug, Ch. 10 / Henchman Ronson, Chs. 14-15], Dale Van Sickel [Gold Theft Thug, Ch. 12 / Sailor #1, Chs. 13-14], Tom Steele [Constable #1, Chs. 1, 7 / Store Thug, Ch. 2 / Radio Bomb Thug, Ch. 10 / Henchman Bert Mead, Chs. 14-15], Rico De Montez [Tamil, Chs. 10-11, as Rico de Montez)], Dick Botiller [Constable at Vorhees' Office, Ch. 1, (uncredited)], Fred Cordova [Constable at Cafe, Ch. 7, (uncredited)], John Daheim [Henchman Dunning, Ch. 6, (uncredited)], Herbert Evans [Barfly, Chs. 1, 7, (uncredited)], Fred Graham [Mine Thug, Chs. 3, 15 / 2nd Bartender, Chs. 6-7, (uncredited)], Kit Guard [Saloon Roustabout [Chs. 1, 7, (uncredited)], Charles Hayes [Man in Suit at Bar, Ch. 1, (uncredited)], Carey Loftin [Cave Thug #2, Ch. 7, (uncredited)], Jack O'Shea [Second Ambush Thug, Ch. 3, (uncredited)], Jay Silverheels [Native, Chs. 11-12, (uncredited)], Pietro Sosso [Pries, Ch. 1, (uncredited)], Ken Terrell [Taola, Tobacco Peddler, Ch. 7 / Sailor, Chs. 13-14, (uncredited)], Nick Thompson [Native Chief, Chs. 10-11, (uncredited)], Robert J. Wilke [1st Bartender, Ch. 1, (uncredited)], Harry Wilson [Barfly, Ch. 1, (uncredited)], Bud Wolfe [Cave Thug #1, Ch. 7, (uncredited)]

Storyline: Sea captain Jim Marsden is about to be hanged for a murder he didn't commit, and is rescued from the gallows by two of his crewmen. To clear the captain's name, they head for the island of Pulinan, where they believe the real murderer is hiding. During the search for the killer, one thing leads to another and Jim and the crew soon find that their troubles have just started. Investigating a possible hiding place of the killer, Jim encounters huge sea monsters in Haunted Harbor. Chapter Titles: 1. Wanted for Murder, 2. Flight to Danger, 3. Ladder of Death, 4. The Unknown Assassin, 5. Harbor of Horror, 6. Return of the Fugitive, 7. Journey Into Peril, 8. Wings of Doom, 9. Death's Door, 10. Crimson Sacrifice, 11. Jungle Jeapardy, 12. Fire Trap, 13. Monster of the Deep, 14. High Voltage, 15. Crucible of Justice.

[243 min (15 episodes) - Action | Adventure | Crime - English - Black and White - 1.37 : 1 - USA - Republic Pictures]

Princess and the Pirate (1944)

Director: David Butler and Sidney Lanfield (uncredited)

Writers: Sy Bartlett (story), Allen Boretz (adaptation), Melvin Frank (uncredited), Everett Freeman (screenplay), Don Hartman (screenplay), Curtis Kenyon (adaptation), Norman Panama (uncredited) and Melville Shavelson (screenplay)

Cast: Bob Hope [Sylvester the Great], Virginia Mayo [Princess Margaret], Walter Brennan [Featherhead], Walter Slezak [La Roche], Victor McLaglen [Captain Barrett / The Hook], Marc Lawrence [Pedro], Hugo Haas [Owner of the 'Bucket of Blood'], Maude Eburne [Landlady of the 'Boar's Head Inn'], Adia Kuznetzoff [Don José Ramon Sebastian Rurales], Brandon Hurst [Mr. Pelly], Tom Kennedy [Alonzo], Stanley Andrews [Captain of the 'Mary Ann'], Robert Warwick [The King], Ernie Adams [Hold-Up Victim (uncredited)], Betty Alexander [Goldwyn Girl (uncredited)], Richard Alexander [Holdup Thug (uncredited)], Ted Billings [Citizen (uncredited)], Al Bridge [Pirate (uncredited)], Ruth Caldwell [Goldwyn Girl (uncredited)], Jack Carr [Hugo - Bartender at 'Bucket of Blood' (uncredited)], Alma Carroll [Handmaiden (uncredited)], Vic Christy [Thug (uncredited)], Bing Crosby [Margaret's Sweetheart (uncredited)], Loretta Daye [Goldwyn Girl (uncredited)], Ralph Dunn [Murderous Pirate (uncredited)], James Flavin [Naval Officer (uncredited)], Francis Ford [Drunken Pirate (uncredited)], Stewart Garner [Sailor on the 'Mary Ann' (uncredited)], Kit Guard [Pirate (uncredited)], Bobbie Hale [Citizen (uncredited)], Chuck Hamilton [Charlie, Dueling Dandy-Pirate (uncredited)], Rondo Hatton [Gorilla (uncredited)], Oscar 'Dutch' Hendrian [Heckler (uncredited)], Weldon Heyburn [Soldier at the Palace (uncredited)], Al Hill [Pirate (uncredited)], Bill Hunter [Soldier at the Gate (uncredited)], Colin Kenny [First Mate on the 'Mary Ann' (uncredited)], Jack Low [Pirate (uncredited)], Mike Mazurki [Pirate (uncredited)], Pat McKee [Pirate (uncredited)], Art Miles [Thug (uncredited)], Lillian Molieri [Goldwyn Girl (uncredited)], Frank Moran [Heckler (uncredited)], Kay Morley [Goldwyn Girl (uncredited)], Edward Peil Sr. [Palace Guard (uncredited)], Dick Rich [Pirate (uncredited)], Bert Roach [Companion of Drunken Pirate (uncredited)], Constantine Romanoff [Citizen Hit with Blackjack (uncredited)], Harry Semels [Pirate (uncredited)], Mickey Shaughnessy [Man Who Brings the Beers (uncredited)], Jack Shea [Governor's Guard (uncredited)], Charles Soldani [Pirate (uncredited)], Ray Spiker [Pirate (uncredited)], Edwin Stanley [Captain of the King's Ship (uncredited)], Sammy Stein [Blackjack Thug (uncredited)], Ray Teal [Guard (uncredited)], Betty Thurston [Goldwyn Girl (uncredited)], Tom Tyler [Lieutenant (uncredited)], Ruth Valmy [Handmaiden (uncredited)], Crane Whitley [Soldier (uncredited)], Harry Wilson [Pirate at the 'Bucket of Blood' (uncredited)]

Storyline: A pirate captain known as the Hook (Victor McLaglen) buries his treasure on an island and kills the map maker so no one else will find it. He and his cut-throat crew go after the Mary Ann, a ship on which Princess Margaret (Virginia Mayo) is running away from her father, the King (Robert Warwick), so she can marry a commoner. The Hook plans to hold her for a large ransom. A cowardly actor, Sylvester the Great (Hope), is in the cabin next door to Margaret. The Hook's ship, The Avenger attacks the Mary Ann and after a big fight, the crew are killed or made to walk the plank by the pirates. Sylvester escapes by disguising himself as a gypsy woman and is taken on board The Avenger with Margaret. The Ship's aged tattooist, Featherhead (Walter Brennan) has taken a fancy to the gypsy which is all that saves the disguised Sylvester. It turns out that he guessed the gypsy was a man and involves Sylvester in his plot to get the Hook's treasure for himself. He gives him the treasure map and helps Sylvester and Margaret escape in a boat and they are to pass the stolen map to Featherhead's cousin on the pirate island of Casarouge. The couple make it to the island which is extremely bloodthirsty. The couple check in at the Boar's Head Inn where they are to meet the cousin (who at present is not on the island) and do an act at the Bucket of Blood to get some money to pay for their stay. Margaret is kidnapped and Sylvester goes to the Governor (La Roche) (Walter Slezak) to complain only to find out he was the kidnapper. La Roche has recognised Princess Margaret and plans on holding her for a million doubloon ransom. He stops Sylvester from leaving, planning to ransom him for 100,000 doubloons, sure that the King will want to hang him. Sylvester is well looked after and helps Margaret who is on a hunger strike. The Hook is in with La Roche and they threaten nasty things for the possessor of the map. Featherhead turns up under Sylvester's bed and knocks out Sylvester who wants to destroy the map to save his skin. Featherhead tattoos the map on the chest of the unconscious Sylvester and when he recovers, they both eat it. After a meeting, the Hook guesses Sylvester is the gypsy who stole the map and returns to the Governor's house to kill him. The Governor sees the map on Sylvester's chest as the Hook arrives. The Hook chases him but is stopped from killing Sylvester by Featherhead who shoots him. As he has not returned, Pedro (Marc Lawrence), the Hook's second-in-command leads a raid on the Governor's house to rescue the Hook and after a big fight, inadvertently rescues Sylvester who has disguised himself as the Hook, along with Margaret. Back on The Avenger, Sylvester as the Hook starts giving orders, not knowing that the real Hook has just been grazed by the bullet and is now also on the ship. Contradictory orders flow from the two different Hooks at different times, till Sylvester is unmasked. In chains and ready to kill themselves, The Avenger is attacked and they believe it is La Roche. It however turns out to be the King's ship and both are released (La Roche has been captured and has revealed all). The King says he is not going to stand in Margaret's way if she wants to marry a commoner and she rushes forwards. Sylvester is shocked as she passes him and into the arms of another man, Bing Crosby, who is playing a sailor. Indignantly, Sylvester says; "That is the last picture I do for Goldwyn" (which it was).

[94 min - Adventure | Comedy | Romance - English - Color - 1.37 : 1 - USA - Samuel Goldwyn Company, The]