Produced by Paramount Pictures in 1937 SOULS AT SEA is one of the great seafaring stories of Hollywood's Golden Age! A fondly remembered movie by cultists it recently seems to be forgotten somewhat in the DVD age being available only - and for many years on a VHS tape. But it thankfully now has turned up on a region 2 disc in England in a really impressive issue. Splendidly directed by a young Henry Hathaway it was photographed in glorious black & white by Charles Lang Jr.
With only one lifeboat left, and too many passengers to be accommodated when a great ship is sinking, it is up to the Captain to decide who is to live and who must surely die. Gary Cooper in one of his most memorable roles plays the part of the man left with this decision. Also in the cast is George Raft in one of the best roles he ever played! As Cooper's friend and buddy - and leaving his tough guy mobster parts behind him - his performance here is quite different and is altogether likable and appealing. His wooing also of the lovely and gentle Olympe Bradna is touching and engaging. Their well written scenes together are heartfelt and sincere! The sinking scenes of the great ship are really well done for its time and immediately brings to mind the spectacle of the sinking of another great ship we all know so well. Others in the well chosen cast are Henry Wilcoxon, Harry Carey, Porter Hall, Paul Fix and watch out for a young Robert Cummings.
The female lead is taken by a now wholly forgotten actress Francis Dee. Dee was a popular star in the thirties, appearing in the best version of "Little Women" in 1933 she was also a contender for the plum role of Melanie in "Gone With The Wind". In 1937 (the same year as "Souls At Sea") she starred in the classic western "Wells Fargo" opposite western star Joel McCrea. She had been married to McCrea since 1933 and remained so until his death in 1990. After 57 years of marriage they would remain one of Hollywood's longest unions. Francis Dee died in 2004 at the age of 94! In "Souls At Sea" she plays the sister of slimy villain Henry Wilcoxon who is secretly running a fleet of slave ships and whom Cooper, under secret orders from the British Admiralty, is sworn to put out of business.
An excellent film in an excellent DVD transfer that really looks spotless. Evidently they used a brand new print of the picture and it certainly shows. However, it is disappointing that there are no extras not even a trailer. But collectors of vintage classic movies will love it just the same.
With only one lifeboat left, and too many passengers to be accommodated when a great ship is sinking, it is up to the Captain to decide who is to live and who must surely die. Gary Cooper in one of his most memorable roles plays the part of the man left with this decision. Also in the cast is George Raft in one of the best roles he ever played! As Cooper's friend and buddy - and leaving his tough guy mobster parts behind him - his performance here is quite different and is altogether likable and appealing. His wooing also of the lovely and gentle Olympe Bradna is touching and engaging. Their well written scenes together are heartfelt and sincere! The sinking scenes of the great ship are really well done for its time and immediately brings to mind the spectacle of the sinking of another great ship we all know so well. Others in the well chosen cast are Henry Wilcoxon, Harry Carey, Porter Hall, Paul Fix and watch out for a young Robert Cummings.
The female lead is taken by a now wholly forgotten actress Francis Dee. Dee was a popular star in the thirties, appearing in the best version of "Little Women" in 1933 she was also a contender for the plum role of Melanie in "Gone With The Wind". In 1937 (the same year as "Souls At Sea") she starred in the classic western "Wells Fargo" opposite western star Joel McCrea. She had been married to McCrea since 1933 and remained so until his death in 1990. After 57 years of marriage they would remain one of Hollywood's longest unions. Francis Dee died in 2004 at the age of 94! In "Souls At Sea" she plays the sister of slimy villain Henry Wilcoxon who is secretly running a fleet of slave ships and whom Cooper, under secret orders from the British Admiralty, is sworn to put out of business.
An excellent film in an excellent DVD transfer that really looks spotless. Evidently they used a brand new print of the picture and it certainly shows. However, it is disappointing that there are no extras not even a trailer. But collectors of vintage classic movies will love it just the same.