Sea Wolf The (1941)

Not unlike Charles Laughton’s Captain Bligh in Mutiny on the Bounty (1935) Edward G. Robinson plays a maniacal sadistic Captain of a ship named the Ghost which has garnered quite a reputation. Directed by Michael Curtiz (Casablanca (1942)) this Jack London novel was adapted by Robert Rossen (All the King’s Men (1949)). This excellent drama features Special Effects which were nominated for an Academy Award.

John Garfield plays a man who seeks refuge from the police and is signed on to serve aboard the infamous ship by Barry Fitzgerald who acts as the secret conduit for information about what the men are doing for its Captain Wolf Larsen (Robinson). Given the strong characters he typically plays Garfield will naturally become the leading foe of Wolf’s as the cruelly abused crew (which includes Howard Da Silva) moves towards mutiny. Ida Lupino plays an escaped convict who along with Alexander Knox is rescued by the Ghost. Lupino’s character is weakened to the point of needing a transfusion which is performed by the stereotypical drunken ship’s doctor (Gene Lockhart). Wolf pushes the doctor’s (who yearns for respect) buttons with delight and ultimately to tragedy. As the two younger & most exciting characters on the ship Lupino and Garfield are romantically linked. Writer Knox learns that Wolf is actually quite well read believes the Captain is misunderstood and begins to document his life. A dramatic climactic final third beginning with Wolf being blinded is not to missed.

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