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In the latter part of his career, Spencer Tracy settled into a series of leading roles for which he became forever associated, from Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea to Katharine Hepburn's foil in some of Hollywood's best romantic comedies, such as Adam's Rib. But in 1937, Tracy -- then among the decathletes of character actors -- took on the role of Manuel, the Portuguese fisherman in the screen adaptation of Rudyard Kipling's adventure tale, Captains Courageous. Equal parts action movie and allegory, the story concerns Harvey Cheyne (Freddie Bartholomew), a spoiled rich boy who, after falling from the deck of an ocean liner, is hauled from the sea by Manuel (Tracy), a doryman on a Gloucester fishing ship. Instead of returning the boy to shore, Manuel and his shipmates put Harvey to work, informing him that there's no going to shore until the ship's hold is full of fish. While the rest of the film provides enough action and scenery to hold the attention of viewers both young and old, its best attraction is in watching Tracy dole out the kind of wisdom, guidance, and love that Harvey, and any child, so clearly requires. Tracy won an Oscar for his performance, which is supported by, among others: Melvyn Douglas as Harvey's well-meaning tycoon dad; Lionel Barrymore, as the fishing vessel's wise, crusty captain; and Mickey Rooney as a young mate on the ship. It remains among the great all time screen yarns. Bruce Kluger

All Movie Guide

A boy learns life-changing lessons about the importance of friendship and the dignity of labor in this adventure saga based on a story by Rudyard Kipling. Young Harvey Cheyne (Freddie Bartholomew) is the working definition of a spoiled brat; the only child of a wealthy widowed businessman, Harvey has everything he needs, but never stops asking for more, convinced he can get anything if he yells, pouts, or throws the right tantrum. Even other boys his age are disgusted with his antics. Suspended from school, Harvey joins his father on a voyage across the Atlantic to Europe; but early in the trip, he falls overboard off the New England coast. He is rescued by Manuel (Spencer Tracy), a deck hand and doryman on a Gloucester fishing boat, where the young pest is initially less than welcome. Harvey shows no gratitude to Manuel for saving his life and demands to be taken home immediately; Manuel and the crew, not the least bit sympathetic, inform him that once they've filled the ship's hold with fresh catch, they'll return to shore, and not a moment sooner. Over the next few weeks, Harvey grows from a self-centered pantywaist into a young man who appreciates the value of a hard day's work, and in Manuel he finds the strength, guidance and good sense that he never got from his father. Spencer Tracy earned an Academy Award for his performance in Captains Courageous and even sings a bit; the story was parodied years later (with a few rather drastic changes) in the Chris Elliott vehicle Cabin Boy. Mark Deming

Product Details

• UPC: 012569676749
• Source: WARNER HOME VIDEO
• Region Code: 1
• Aspect Ratio: Full Frame
• Language: English, Français, Français
• Subtitles: English, Español
• Editions: Subtitled, Dubbed
• Time: 1:51:00
• Sales Rank: 6,507

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