Double Crossbones

Donald O'Connor is an apprentice in a shop which is part of a chain of conspiracy leading from pirates to the colony's governor. He winds up in prison as part of a cover-up/double-cross, escapes and with Will Geer fakes his way to command of a pirate shi. Learning that the governor is about to marry Helena Carter, who is sweet on him and he on her, he tries to persuade the Brethren of the Coast to invade Charleston, but fails. So he goes in himself.

It's thorough-going nonsense that never takes itself seriously. O'Connor sings and dances a couple of times, is an idiot with the cutlass or skilled as the situation calls for, and is supported by a raft of minor players, some of whom were notable in the silent era, and others who would become noticeable on TV in the 1960s.

Through a strange series of circumstances a menual, inoffensive shop assistant (Donald O'Connor) becomes feared as a pirate called "Bloodthirsty Dave."

A few familiar faces show up (mostly rising talent) but O'Connor is the only bona fide movie star in sight. He lacks the insoucuant edge he'd later adopt in "Singin' in the Rain" but he's likeable enough.

It seems to be an attempt to turn O'Connor into the next Danny Kaye, especially in the one song in the piece, performed by O'Connor in a tavern early on. The movie's not really a musical and it could use a few songs and dancing. As it is, O'Connor's atheletic body is impressive, little though it is.

The comedy is in the mode of Danny Kaye and Bob Hope (without their overplayed cowardice). Though in his upper twenties, O'Connor looks barely out of adolescence.

Lots of light-hearted adventure crammed into a movie that certainly doesn't overstay its welcome. A fun time for anyone who isn't too demanding.

Don't know why this has such a low rating. Gorgeous Technicolor, rousing Frank Skinner score, top-notch model and process work, fast run time. The fist-fight scenes are well staged and bully for Donald O'Conner's action work, he actually looks like a real fencer! Add Helena Carter's captivating beauty and the tried-and-true mistaken identity plot and I think it's terrific entertainment.

Dave : Donald O'Connor, is a shopkeeper who is falsely framed by the corrupt governor Elden : James Emery, then he embarks, along with his friend Tom Botts : Will Geer, on a pirate ship commanded by the local buccaneer Bloodthirsty Ben . Along the way, they avoid being murdered by faking a case of pox, the reason for the crew quickly flee . Later on, at Tortuga island he joins the feared and famous pirates Henry Morgan, Blackbeard, Anne Boney, all of them lay siege Charleston where the nasty governor resides and has his impregnable fortress. Soon after, Dave is deemed to be the bravest pirate of the seven seas.

Amusing and fun adventure comedy movie, being especially made for enhance the hilarious and musical qualities of the always likeable actor Donald O'Connor who finds himself mistaken for a pirate. Furthermore, there are two musical numbers performed by Donald O'Connor himself. This is a funny and bewildering flick with a disconcerting and little credible story shot as a fun festival of gags. There are enjoyable appearance of notorius pirates as Henry Morgan played by Roger Barrat, Captain Kidd performed by Alan Napier, Anne Boney by Hope Emerson, Ben Avery by Glenn Strange and Ben Wickett interpreted by Charles McGraw.

The motion picture was profesionally directed by Charles Barton , mixing comedy, adventure and pirate genres. He was an acceptable filmmaker, shooting several movies as cinema as TV, such as : The shaggy dog, Dance with me Henry, Ma and Pa at the fair, Africa screams, Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein, Abbot and Costello meet Boris Karloff, Mexican hayride, The noose hangs high, Buck privates go home, The time of your lives, Helltown, Forlorn river, Thunder pass, Thunder trail, Desert gold, Wagon wheels, among others. Rating 6/10. Passable and acceptable.

Double Crossbones is directed by Charles Barton and written by Oscar Brodney. It stars Donald O'Connor, Helena Carter, Will Geer, John Emery, Charles McGraw, Hope Emerson and Morgan Farley. Music is by Frank Skinner and cinematography by Maury Gertsman.

Davey Crandall (O'Connor) and friend Tom Botts (Geer) are falsely accused by the corrupt Governor Elden of Charleston (Emery) of fencing stolen pirate booty. Bluffing their way onto the ship of local buccaneer Capt. Ben Wickett (McGraw), the pair soon become embroiled in piracy purely by accident and then have to pretend they are in fact pirates just to prove their innocence!

Nothing to dislike here, it does exactly what it promises to do, it's avast yee frothy merriment with a little song and dance routine thrown in for good measure. It's comedy satire on the seven seas where everybody seems to be having great fun. There's treachery and trickery, a gorgeous dame to be spared from the villain's plans and a splendid narrative set up that puts all the famed pirates of Tortuga in one "brotherhood" meeting room.

O'Connor comes off as a poor version of Danny Kaye, but he is an amiable lead here, with energy unbound and a quip on the lips he makes the most of the standard screenplay. The production design is mightily handsome and Gertsman's Technicolor photography is quite simply stunning. Support cast list is impressive, with McGraw (sadly not in it enough) and Emerson (stealing the film) the highlights.

It's all very playful and colourful and not intended for deeper dissection, accept it on its own frothy terms and it becomes a fun 75 minutes of film. 6.5/10