part one -- part two Melody Cruise (RKO, 1933) In this musical romantic comedy, bandleader and comedian Phil Harris, then in his wavy-haired romantic lead period, plays a millionaire playboy who, while on a steamship cruise, is the object of the attentions (mercenary and otherwise) of every woman he encounters. Charlie Ruggles plays the flustered fellow whose job it … [Read more...]
Maritime Monday for July 22nd, 2013: Summer Movie Guide, Part II: Romance and Adventure on the High Seas!
A few titles that didn’t make last week’s list: Across the Pacific (Warner Brothers, 1942) Not long after the release of The Maltese Falcon, John Huston reunited with Bogart, Mary Astor, and Sydney Greenstreet to make this war-era propaganda film in which Bogie battles Japanese saboteurs. Across the Pacific was originally envisioned as the story of a … [Read more...]
Maritime Monday for October 29th, 2012: What Shall We Do With A Drunken Sailor?
--image source Gordon Grant (American, 1875-1962), “The Drunken Sailor”, c.1940 Although typically conceived as a song originating in British vessels, the evidence describing it in its earliest appearances come from America. The first published description of the shanty is found in an account of an 1839 whaling voyage to the Pacific Ocean out of New … [Read more...]
Maritime Monday for April 16, 2012: Asleep in the Deep
Third-class tea cup china used by passengers and the crew, is shown as part of the artifacts collection at a warehouse in Atlanta, in this Aug 15, 2008 file photo. (AP Photo/Stanley Leary, File) Just As The Ship Went Down Words by Edith Maida Lessing ; Music by Bernie Adler & Sidney Gibson A cold dark night, a sea of ice… (sheet music viewable here) Lead … [Read more...]
Maritime Monday for December 26th, 2011: Captain’s Christmas
The Captain's Christmas: Cartoon; MGM/United Features Syndicate. Originally Released on December 17, 1938 …The Captain is going to surprise the kids by dressing as Santa Claus, but the peg-legged pirate villain, John, takes his place. However, John and his wacky henchman get into the spirit, giving the Captain and the kids a Christmas Eve celebration that brings down … [Read more...]