A subpoena server, a gun-running windjammer, and galley slaves — 1930s Hollywood had NO chill.
The fourth and last of the George A. Hirliman-produced films starring George O'Brien (preceded by "Daniel Boone", "Park Avenue Logger" and "Hollywood Cowboy") that were distributed by RKO Radio. Hirliman sold O'Brien's contract to RKO, which then produced 18 series westerns starring O'Brien that ended when O'Brien went into the Navy at the outbreak of WW II. Long-time (past and future) O'Brien director David Howard served as Hirliman's Associate Producer on this film. "Windjammer" finds O'Brien as a subpoena server ordered to serve a subpoena on Brandon Evans (The Commondore) for a senate inquiry or lose his job. Posing as a playboy, he boards the Commodore's yacht during a yacht race, and the yacht is wrecked by a gun-running windjammer commanded by Captain Morgan (William Hall.) All hands are picked up by the windjammer, including the Commodore's daughter (played by Constance Worth) and put to work as galley slaves.
Practical Effects
Real windjammer footage and nautical chaos, no CGI nonsense.
Stunts
Yacht wreck and sea rescues done with 1937 guts.
Director
Ewing Scott
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was George O'Brien's final independent film before RKO locked him into 18 back-to-back B-westerns.
The 'galley slave' plot device was a Depression-era fantasy — audiences loved watching rich yacht people forced to scrub dishes.
US
