Die schwarze Perle

Brothers on a whaling schooner become romantic rivals. In the South Pacific islands, two brothers, one good and one bad, fight over the same girl and over a bag of pearls. Directed by Richard Thorpe, stars Robert Taylor, Stewart Granger and Ann Blyth. The music score is by Miklós Rózsa. This 1953 film is a remake of the 1923 silent film that starred Lon Chaney, made by Metro Pictures. Thorpe, who by the way was the original director of The Wizard of Oz, enjoyed a long career at MGM. He directed a variety of ¨A¨ productions like Two Girls and a Sailor, White Cargo, Ivanhoe (probably his best), Knights of the around Table to name just a few. He used to be a good craftsman.

I have seen this movie several times and discover something new every time. One of the best things about this movie is the flashback sequence with Granger fighting pirates Whitmore and Kasznar for a bag of pearls. The rest of the movie explains how he tries to get his brother [Taylor] to them back from the lagoon where they were lost. You will need to see this movie at least two times before you understand all of the hidden plot twists.

Based upon the novel by Ben Ames Williams who died the year it was released this is produced by crowd pleaser Pandro S. Berman and directed by Richard 'one-take' Thorpe. MGM stalwart Robert Taylor is lumbered with the part of the good brother whilst Stewart Granger has by far the most interesting role as his villainous sibling. Ann Blyth, replacing Elizabeth Taylor, is the meat in the sandwich. This proved to the last film alas of veteran Lewis Stone. Ravishing Betta St. John plays her customary 'exotic' role. Keenan Wynn and James Whitmore were to enjoy long careers and teamed up that year to steal the show as Lippy and Slug with their priceless rendition of 'Brush up your Shakespeare'. George Folsey was again Oscar-nominated for his superlative cinematography but again missed out and the score by Miklos Rosza is suitably stirring. The whale hunt is well done although obviously filmed in a studio tank and the final fisticuff-fest well choreographed. Despite its cast and production values it is alas rather plodding and fails to excite. Granger's description of it as a 'crappy melodrama' seems unduly harsh but he was notoriously dismissive of most of his films. This prickly actor parted company with MGM four years later while the more 'accommodating' Robert Taylor continued his thirty-year long association.

This film is an adaptation of a novel. I have not read it, but it seems like a story of big action and big themes. It can be difficult to put such a story on film, but the filmmakers did a decent job of it.

It all begins when whaling captain Joel Shore returns home to New Bedford, after a lengthy expedition. He finds that Priscilla Holt (Ann Blyth) has grown into young womanhood, and he asks her to marry him before he takes to the sea again. She agrees, despite the fact that Joel might be gone for two or three years. He surprises her by refitting the captain's quarters of the Nathan Ross so that she can go with him. And they set to sea, where she learns about whaling and the dangers of sea life. Everything changes when they discover that Joel's older brother, Mark (Stewart Granger), who used to captain the Nathan Ross, is alive.

Much of the film consists of flashbacks of Mark's story. And then it picks up with Joel, Mark, and Priscilla back on the water, where complicated passions and differing purposes are dealt with. The ninety-five minutes of running time are filled to the brim with conflict and adventure, including a fight scene that is very worthy of the genre.

The acting, across the board, is good. Granger has the meatiest part, and he takes advantage of it. Watch for Lewis Stone in his last film appearance. And Keenan Wynn and James Whitmore, who tackle musical comedy in "Kiss Me Kate", soon after their appearance here.

A good old fashioned swashbuckler. Taylor's acting comes across as a bit wooden at times, but the scenes with his brother and the Polynesian girl are enticing.....reminiscent of Gauguin in Tahiti. A good way to get lost for a few hours.