FILM REVIEWS

Captain Kidd (1945)

Charles Laughton, with his career in decline, plays grandly (chewing the scenery) the infamous 17th century pirate captain William Kidd in this adventure, directed by Rowland V. Lee.

Hoping to increase his gains, Captain Kidd talks King William III (Henry Daniel) into appointing him the “patriotic” protector of a valuable treasure ship.

Hired to fend off enemy vessels, Kidd intends to steal the ship’s cargo with the aid of his swarthy lieutenants William Moore (Gilbert Roland) and Orange Povy (John Carradine).

The romantic subplot involves brigand Adam Merry (Randolph Scott) and kidnapped noble Lady Ann Falconer (Barbara Britton).

Charles Laughton reprised his part in the 1952 farce “Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd.”

Oscar Nominations: 1

Scoring (Musical): Werner Janssen

Oscar Awards: None

Oscar Context:

The winner of the Scoring Oscar was Miklos Rozsa for “Spellbound.”

Janssen was also in the run for “Guest in the House” and “The Southerner.” (The Academy allowed each studio to name its own candidates, and so there were 23 entries in this category).

Running time: 83 Minutes.

Rowland V. Lee.

 May 22, 2001

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