Sadly known only as John Gilbert's cinematic swansong, The Captain Hates the Sea deserves a better fate. Taking place aboard a liner captained by reluctant sailor Walter Connolly, the film episodically relates the events that unfold during a cruise. Amongst the excellent cast are Victor McLaglen as private detective Schulte, Fred Keating as ice-cream suited smoothie Danny Chekett, Leon Erroll as the ship's steward, Donald Meek as a bearded comedy relief passenger, Akim Tamiroff as General Salazaro, the film's sole tragic character, Alison Skipworth as a stereotypical Park Avenue woman of means, Walter Catlett as a bespectacled bartender, and The Three Stooges--playing it straight for a change--as the shipboard entertainment. Well directed by Lewis Milestone and beautifully shot by Joseph August, this is far better than you'd think and highly recommended to anyone who enjoys Golden Age Hollywood films.
Review of The Captain Hates the Sea
