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Captains Courageous (1977 film)

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Captains Courageous
Promotional photo for the film
GenreAdventure
Based on
Written byJohn Gay
Directed byHarvey Hart
StarringKarl Malden
Jonathan Kahn
Johnny Doran
Neville Brand
Fred Gwynne
Charles Dierkop
Fritz Weaver
Ricardo Montalbán
ComposerAllyn Ferguson
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducerNorman Rosemont
Production locationsCamden, Maine
Rockland, Maine
CinematographyPhilip H. Lathrop
EditorJohn McSweeney Jr.
Running time100 minutes
Production companyNorman Rosemont Productions
Original release
NetworkABC
ReleaseDecember 4, 1977 (1977-12-04)

Captains Courageous is a 1977 American television film based on the novel Captains Courageous by Rudyard Kipling. It was produced by Norman Rosemont, who made a number of television films based on classic novels.[1]

It was shot off the coast of Maine with a budget of $1.5 million.[2]

Rosemont had to pay $25,000 to the Kipling estate. Although the work was in the public domain in the US it was still in copyright in other territories.[3]

Plot summary

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Harvey Cheyne (Jonathan Kahn) is the spoiled son of Harvey Cheyne Sr., a wealthy shipping tycoon. After failing to have a steward dismissed for disobeying his demands for a bottle of whiskey, he sneaks a cigar from his father and falls overboard after becoming ill while smoking.

Harvey is rescued by Manuel (Ricardo Montalban), a fisherman working aboard a ship commanded by Captain Troop (Karl Malden) which has only begun its’ voyage to catch fish for the season. Captain Troop denies Harvey’s insistence that he be immediately returned despite being promised a reward.

Initially, the wayward young man struggles to gain the respect of the crew while they continue to ply their trade onboard the ship. Gradually, he slowly earns their grudging admiration as he learns to work.

One of the crew is a young man named Dan (Johnny Doran) who, along with crew helps Harvey adjust to life as a working man. Dan is gravely injured during some rough weather and loses his leg.

Harvey continues to work with the crew during the whole season of fishing. He is eventually returned to his home and after some time eventually takes over the shipping company from his father.

The film concludes with Harvey and Dan greeting each other as the best of friends where Dan has become the captain of his own vessel.

Cast

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References

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  1. ↑ "'Captains Courageous' to Star Karl Malden in ABC Movie". Los Angeles Times. March 15, 1977. p. f12.
  2. ↑ Smith, Cecil (July 31, 1977). "The Rosemont Special: Classic Tales for TV". Los Angeles Times. p. o53.
  3. ↑ DAVID LEWIN (November 23, 1980). "Why Norman Rosemont Likes to Film the Classics: Norman Rosemont's TV Films". New York Times. p. D35.
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