Caribbean Gold
| Caribbean (aka:Caribbean Gold) | |
|---|---|
 Movie poster | |
| Directed by | Edward Ludwig |
| Written by | Frank L. Moss Edward Ludwig |
| Based on | |
| Produced by | William H. Pine William C. Thomas |
| Starring | John Payne Arlene Dahl Sir Cedric Hardwicke |
| Cinematography | Lionel Lindon |
| Edited by | Howard A. Smith |
| Music by | Lucien Cailliet |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 91 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $1.4 million[1] |
Caribbean Gold (also known as Caribbean) is a 1952 American swashbuckler adventure film directed by Edward Ludwig and starring John Payne, Arlene Dahl and Cedric Hardwicke.[2] The film was produced by Pine-Thomas Productions for distribution by Paramount Pictures and was based on the novel Carib Gold by Ellery Clark. The film's sets were designed by the art director Hal Pereira.
Plot
[edit] | This article's plot summary needs to be improved. (April 2026) |
In 1728, Dick Lindsay is taken prisoner by Captain Barclay and incarcerated aboard the Black Panther, his pirate ship. Also on board against his will is Robert MacAllister, nephew of Barclay's nemesis, Andrew MacAllister.
The pirate kidnapped Robert as retribution for MacAllister having long ago done likewise to Barclay's infant daughter, Christine. The feud has continued for more than 20 years. Now the pirate intends to settle it once and for all. He propositions Dick to impersonate Robert and return to his uncle, going so far as to duplicate a distinctive scar on Robert's face.
Dick does as told, hoping to gain his freedom. He is a welcome sight to MacAllister, but others are not quite sure what to make of this newcomer, including Shively, a brutal overseer of the men, and particularly Christine, now a grown woman with a volatile disposition.
Put in charge of the mill, Dick gains the trust of MacAllister's slaves, who are plotting a revolt. The real Robert's dead body washes up, however, so MacAllister now knows he is being deceived. Christine's growing love for Dick is a factor in not having him killed at first, but soon Shively and Dick are engaged in a knife fight to the death.
Captain Barclay and his men await a signal to invade the island. When a stash of explosives is detonated, they storm the isle. MacAllister is killed by Barclay, who is savoring his revenge when Christine gains some of her own, mortally wounding Barclay. She remains unaware that she has just killed her own father, and with his dying words, Barclay implores Dick to keep it a secret.
Cast
[edit]- John Payne as Dick Lindsay / Robert MacAllister
- Arlene Dahl as Christine Barclay MacAllister
- Cedric Hardwicke as Captain Francis Barclay
- Francis L. Sullivan as Andrew MacAllister
- Willard Parker as Shively
- Dennis Hoey as Burford
- Clarence Muse as Quashy
- William Pullen as Robert MacAllister
- Walter Reed as Evans
- Ramsay Hill as Townsend
- John Hart as Stuart
- Zora Donahoo as Elizabeth
- Woody Strode as Esau
- Ezeret Anderson as Cudjo
- Kermit Pruitt as Quarino
- Dan Ferniel as Caesar
- Rosalind Hayes as Sally
Production
[edit]The script is based on a 1926 novel by Ellery Clark titled Carib Gold.[3]
In January 1951, the film rights were bought by Pine-Thomas Productions, which had a deal to produce films for Paramount. Mark Stevens was to star and Edward Ludwig to direct.[4] However, by March, Stevens had withdrawn and the film was to star John Payne, who had appeared in several films for Pine-Thomas. Curtis Kenyon and Morton Grant were hired to write the script.[3]
In June 1951, Payne signed a contract with Pine-Thomas to star in two films per year for three years. The first were to be Green Gold of Nevada (later retitled Timber Man) and Caribbean Gold.[5]
In July, Arlene Dahl was announced as Payne's costar. The film was the first of her three-year Pine-Thomas contract.[6]
Filming was to begin in October 1951, but Paramount, which was contending with a backlog of unreleased films, asked Pine-Thomas to push the start of production until January 1952.[7]
Reception
[edit]The film earned an estimated $1.4 million at the American box office in 1952.[1]
References
[edit]- 1 2 "Top Grossers of 1952". Variety. 189 (5): 61. January 7, 1953.
- ↑ BFI.org
- 1 2 Schallert, Edwin (March 10, 1951). "Payne to Swashbuckle in 'Carib Gold;' Crime Probe Spurs New Films". Los Angeles Times. p. 11.
- ↑ Brady, Thomas F. (January 30, 1951). "Paramount Buys Two New Stories". The New York Times. p. 21.
- ↑ Hopper, Hedda (July 27, 1951). "Anne Baxter to Star as Birds' Defender". Los Angeles Times. p. 6, Part II.
- ↑ Pryor, Thomas M. (July 30, 1951). "Kramer Will Film Forthcoming Book". The New York Times. p. 12.
- ↑ Pryor, Thomas M. (September 5, 1951). "Esther Williams Signs Metro Pact". The New York Times. p. 41.
External links
[edit]- Caribbean Gold at IMDb
- Review of film at Variety
- 1952 films
- 1950s action adventure films
- 1950s swashbuckler films
- 1952 American films
- 1952 English-language films
- American action adventure films
- English-language action adventure films
- English-language historical films
- Films directed by Edward Ludwig
- Films scored by Lucien Cailliet
- Films set in 1728
- Films set in the Caribbean
- Paramount Pictures films
- Pirate films
