A champagne heist, a hidden woman with a gun, and smallpox? 1937 adventure goes WILD.
In 1890, two British expatriates, Robert Herrick and Huish, and German Captain Jakob Thorbecke, are commissioned to sail a Yankee schooner called The Golden State , whose captain and crew have died of smallpox. From Tehua in the South Seas to Australia, they are to deliver a cargo of champagne. Thorbecke decides to head for Peru, however, so he can sell the merchandise and pocket the money. While sailing, Faith Wishart, daughter of the deceased captain, comes out of her hiding place on board and, by briefly holding Thorbecke at gunpoint, demands he make the delivery.
Cinematography
Early Technicolor South Seas footage glows like stolen treasure.
Acting
Frances Farmer's screen presence demands the camera obey her.
Director
James P. Hogan
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Stevenson's original novella was darker and more cynical; the Hays Code forced a more moralistic ending.
Frances Farmer was Paramount's 'new Garbo' when this filmed; within six years, she was institutionalized.
US
