Souls at Sea

Director: Henry Hathaway Henry Hathaway

Overview

Much of the action in this high seas adventure is set aboard a slaving boat and centers upon its first mate, a young man who secretly supports the abolition of slavery. A failed mutiny in which the captain is killed leaves the first mate in charge of the vessel.

Product Details

Release Date:	08/05/2014
UPC:	0025192139475
Original Release:	1937
Source:	ALLIED VAUGHN
Presentation:	[Full Frame]
Language:	English
Time:	1:33:00
Sales rank:	50,399

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Gary Cooper	Michael 'Nuggin' Taylor
George Raft	Powdah
Frances Dee	Margaret Tarryton
Henry Wilcoxon	Lieutenant Stanley Tarryton
Harry Carey	Captain of the 'William Brown'
Olympe Bradna	Babsie
Porter Hall	Court Prosecutor
George Zucco	Barton Woodley
Virginia Weidler	Tina
Joseph Schildkraut	Gaston de Bastonet
Gilbert Emery	Capt. Martisel
Lucien Littlefield	Tina's Father
Paul Fix	Violinist
Tully Marshall	Pecora
Monte Blue	Mate of the 'William Brown'
Stanley Fields	Capt. Paul M. Granley
Fay Holden	Mrs. Martin
Clyde Cook	Hendry the Coachman
Rollo Lloyd	Parchy
Wilson Benge	Doctor
Rolfe Sedan	Friend of de Bastonet
Eugene Borden	Friend of de Bastonet
Lee Shumway	Mate
Ethel Clayton	Passenger
Harvey Clark	Court Clerk,Bailiff
Forbes Murray	Associate Justice
William Stack	Judge
Charles Middleton	Jury Foreman,Jury Foreman
Olaf Hytten	Proprietor
Robert Barrat	The Reverend,The Reverend
Forrester Harvey	Proprietor of Pub
Jane Weir	Barmaid
Lina Basquette	Brunette in Saloon
Pauline Haddon	Blonde
Lowell Drew	Jury Foreman
Paul Stanton	Defense Attorney for 'Nuggin' Taylor
Leslie Francis	Woodley's Secretary
Constantine Romanoff	Pub Drinker
Henry Mowbray	Bus Man
George Andre Beranger	Henri
Lillian Dean	Actor
Betty Lorraine	Actor
Agnes Ayres	Actor
Alan Ladd	Sailor
Lon McCallister	Actor
Luana Walters	Eloise
Margaret Daggett	Actor
Galan Galt	Actor
Martin Faust	Actor
Beth Hartman	Actor
Fritzi Brunette	Actor
Francis Sayles	Actor
Bob McKenzie	Actor
Jane Keckley	Actor
Robert Cummings	George Martin
W. Harling	Composer
Bernhard Kaun	Composer

Technical Credits

Henry Hathaway	Director,Producer
Gordon Jennings	Special Effects
Hal Walker	Assistant Director

Editorial Reviews

Souls at Sea was intended as an epic release, but unenthusiastic screenings resulted in the cutting of a significant portion of the film, and it shows in the choppiness of parts of Souls. Even cut down, however, Souls is somewhat long and tends to drag in places. The screenplay, which hopes to build tension via its flashback structure and use of a secret mission for the lead character, doesn't achieve this objective. Perhaps Henry Hathaway]'s direction was affected by the aforementioned cuts; Souls has Hathaway's traditional muscular feel to it, but it comes across as rather forced, as if he's trying to shore up a ship with a few holes in it. Fortunately, the flaws in the screenplay are mitigated by the powerhouse casting of Gary Cooper and George Raft, who play very well off of each other and who provide an energy and commitment that the script basically lacks. Cooper has his job cut out for him, as he has to maneuver some twists and turns that are quite formidable, but he does so with panache. And Raft is especially good, turning in a performance with some nice surprises in it. The physical production is impressive, although modern viewers may not be taken in by some of the special effects, and the score is noteworthy.