Also turning up is Orange Povey (John Carradine), a ship’s surgeon, one of Kidd’s cronies whom he had abandoned on a coral reef near Madagascar and presumed was dead, but now threatens if he’s not taken along he has delivered a letter to someone in London who will expose Kidd as a pirate. Among the pirate convicts on Kidd’s H.M.S Adventure Galley is Adam Mercy (Randolph Scott), who will turn out to be the son of Lord Blayne looking to clear his name. The king, not realizing he’s dealing with a brigand, agrees to Kidd’s plan, and the captain with his cutthroat right-hand men Cyprian Boyle (Sheldon Leonard) and Jose Lorenzo (Gilbert Roland) arrange to have the imprisoned pirates released. Kidd also says that if he can prove that the missing Admiral Blayne turned to piracy, as has been rumored, he should take over Blayne’s crest and estate. He then convinces the king that his crew should be made up of condemned pirates from Newgate Prison who are to receive a royal pardon in exchange for their services on the dangerous trip. Three years later, in London, Kidd audaciously presents himself to King William III (Henry Daniell) as an honest captain based in New York and offers to escort the treasure-filled Quadagh Merchant on its upcoming voyage to Madagascar through pirate-infested waters.

The pirates then bury their stolen treasure in a cave on a small island off the Madagascar coast. Lee (“Tower of London”/”The Bridge of San Luis Rey”/”The Three Musketeers”).Ĭaptain William Kidd (Charles Laughton) attacks Admiral Lord Blayne and The Twelve Apostles, H.M.S., off the coast of Madagascar, and kills Lord Blayne and sets the frigate on fire. Lee and Norman Reilly and adequately directed by period-drama veteran Rowland V. But it promises more action than it delivers, as it bogs down with too much chatter to be thought of as anything more than passable entertainment. The modestly budgeted film sails the high seas on Charles Laughton’s sea legs, as his sly ruthless portrayal of Captain Kidd gives this film its force. “Sails the high seas on Charles Laughton’s sea legs.”Īn historically inaccurate tale about the infamous 17th century pirate captain William Kidd. William Kidd), Randolph Scott (Adam Mercy), Barbara Britton (Lady Anne Dunstan), Sheldon Leonard (Cyprian Boyle), John Carradine (Orange Povey), Gilbert Roland (Jose Lorenzo), John Qualen (Bart Blivens), Henry Daniell (King William III), Lumsden Hare (Lord Falsworth), Reginald Owen (Cary Shadwell), William Farnum (Captain Rawson) Runtime: 89 MPAA Rating: NR producers: Benedict Bogeaus/James Nasser United Artists 1945) Lee/Norman Reilly Raine cinematographer: Archie Stout editor: James Smith music: Werner Janssen cast: Charles Laughton (Capt. Among them is the quarrelsome though cultured Adam Mercy (Randolph Scott), whom Kidd makes his new master gunner because of his claimed prior service with pirate Captain Avery.(director: Rowland V. Kidd recruits a crew from condemned pirates in Newgate and Marshalsea prisons, promising them a royal pardon at the end of their voyage.

The king is persuaded by Kidd that the captain of The Twelve Apostles was that very pirate who has now disappeared with its treasure and grants the commission. He then presents himself at the court of King William III (Henry Daniell) as an honest shipmaster seeking a royal commission as a privateer after striking his colors to a pirate. He and three confederates bury the stolen treasure on a remote island. In 1699, pirate William Kidd (Charles Laughton) loots and destroys the London galleon The Twelve Apostles. The film is also Lee’s final one before his retirement. It has entered the public domain because the producers neglected to renew the copyright in 1972. The music was conducted by Werner Janssen. Lee and produced by Benedict Bogeaus and James Nasser.

Captain Kidd is a 1945 adventure film starring Charles Laughton, Randolph Scott and Barbara Britton.

Captain kidd 1945