People are voting emotionally.

Am i the only one who thinks........Average?

It's an amazing and heartbreaking story.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

Copyright 21 April 1937 by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Corp. A Victor Fleming Production. New York opening at the Astor, 11 May 1937. U.S. release: 25 June 1937. 12 reels. 116 minutes.SYNOPSIS: After he falls overboard from an ocean liner, a rich boy is rescued by a fishing dory.NOTES: Academy Award, Spencer Tracy, Best Actor (defeating Charles Boyer in Conquest, Fredric March in A Star is Born, Robert Montgomery in Night Must Fall and Paul Muni in The Life of Emile Zola). Also nominated for Best Picture (The Life of Emile Zola); Screenplay (. . . Zola); Film Editing (Lost Horizon).3rd Best Film of 1937 (after . . . Zola and The Good Earth) — annual poll of U.S. film critics conducted by The Film Daily. Photoplay Gold Medal Award — Best Picture of 1937 — as voted by America's cinema- going public.COMMENT: Definitely not a picture to see on a queasy stomach, "Captains Courageous" is as real and immediate as a documentary, yet stylishly and attractively photographed. The story is a simple one, crammed with incident and interest. True, it is a little mawkish and sentimental for modern tastes — but that's what these stubborn, superstitious fishermen were like back in 1897 — yet no-one will complain about the movie's great pace and cinematic values. Havens' 2nd unit footage is doubly exciting because it's so deftly integrated with the studio material. In fact, Captains Courageous is edited with superb skill (the opening sequence with its sharp cuts as the news is read to Douglas while he is eating; the fishing episode which very sharply and adroitly inter- cuts both process and studio shots with actuality footage). Admittedly some of the process work is obvious, but few members of a 1937 audience would have detected it. Production values are extremely lavish, with nothing scrimped on sets and players.Lionel Barrymore's hearty performance recalls his later Down To The Sea In Ships. Carradine is excellent, and so is Mickey Rooney in a small part. Jack LaRue has an odd role as a priest.Tracy's portrayal is somewhat hammy for Academy Award recognition. The Portuguese accent is so obviously feigned, it makes the whole impersonation seem artificial. Bartholomew too is a bit over-eagerly amateurish — though both performances seem to improve on a second viewing.Some long takes between Tracy and Barrymore are not characteristic of Fleming. No doubt Conway was responsible for these scenes, including the moving episode in which Tracy talks of his father and Christ. The actor handles this sequence with an assured skill sometimes missing in other scenes where he is obviously a trifle uncomfortable with his make- up, his accent, and his lines. (All this fisher lore reminds the modern viewer of Tracy's later The Old Man and the Sea). Music is used sparingly but most effectively.OTHER VIEWS: I used to pray that something would happen to halt production. I was positive I was doing the worst job of my life. — Spencer Tracy

This is one of those films where the words a magnificent classic truly applies. Metro Goldwyn Mayer superbly brings Rudyard Kipling's beloved novel to life on screen. The studio cleverly tailored the role from the novel about the nineteen year old spoilt lad, for twelve year old child actor Freddie Bartholomew , who delivers an astounding performance. His portrayal of the spoilt rich boy , Harvey Cheyne, who learns valuable lessons about love and respect is most believable and heart-touching. Spencer Tracy masterfully plays Manuel , the humble Portuguese dory-man who takes charge of the cocky lad patiently teaching him acceptable behaviour. Tracy deservedly won his first Oscar for Best Actor with his moving and endearing performance. Lionel Barrymore is excellent as Captain Disko, and Melvyn Douglas gives an understanding portrayal of the elder Cheyne. Mickey Rooney along with veteran character actors John Carradine and Charley Grapewin equally bring their own unique acting talents to this poignant tale. High production values and fine cinematography bring the depiction of the fishermen alive , with beautiful photography of schooners sailing and dories being lowered into a running sea capturing the perfect atmosphere. A synopsis cannot replace the pleasure of watching this classic film , but I caution the reader to be prepared for a real tearjerker.

Based on the novel by Rudyard Kipling (Gunga Din, The Jungle Book), featured in the book 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die and directed by Victor Fleming (The Wizard of Oz, Gone with the Wind) this film looked like it would be worth seeing. Basically spoilt brat Harvey Cheyne (Freddie Bartholomew) is the son of an often absent business tycoon father Frank Burton Cheyne (Melvyn Douglas), and he is often teased attending his private school, and with his bad behaviour he ends up suspended. His father realises he needs to have a close eye kept on him, so he brings him along on one of his business trips, heading for Europe on a steamship, and after a bout of clumsiness the boy falls off the ship into the ocean. Harvey is rescued, in the area of the Grand Banks of Newfoundland, by Portuguese-American fisherman Manuel Fidello (Oscar winning Spencer Tracy), who takes him aboard the fishing ship he works on, and with captain Disko Troop (It's a Wonderful Life's Lionel Barrymore) unconvinced about his wealth or to take him ashore he instead gives the boy a low pay job as a crew member. He has three months to wait until the ship will go ashore, so he has no choice but to accept the job, but he does make acquaintances with other crew members, including the captain's son Dan (Mickey Rooney), and of course he forms a close bond with Manuel who guides him. As time passes Harvey learns the ways of the sea, and that he cannot whine, cheat and brag to get what he wants, it is not an acceptable way of life, and Manuel becomes the father he never had, and the one he wishes he could have in his own life. As the ship races for Gloucester port they are caught in distress, and Manuel volunteers to do a brave deed and help them all, only to end up on the water and tangled up, and the only thing he can do is cut himself out and sink to his death. In the end Harvey is returned to shore in Gloucester, Massachusetts to be reunited with his real father, but he heartbroken to have lost his father figure and best friend, for a while he prefers to mourn alone, but eventually comes around. Also starring Charley Grapewin as Uncle Salters, John Carradine as Long Jack and Oscar O'Shea as Cushman. Tracy obviously charms and gets all the best moments with his peculiar accent but very likable personality, he certainly deserved his Oscar, Bartholomew proves himself a good young actor, and supporting cast members Barrymore and Rooney get their good amount of time too, the high sea scenes of storms and fishing make for good viewing, but the really good moments are the quiet tender scenes as well, all in all it an enjoyable family adventure. It was nominated the Oscars for Best Picture, Best Film Editing and Best Writing, Screenplay. Spencer Tracy was number 10 on The World's Greatest Actor, and he was number 9 on 100 Years, 100 Stars - Men, and the film was number 94 on 100 Years, 100 Cheers. Good!

Spoiled rich boy Freddie Bartholomew (as Harvey Cheyne) is expelled from boarding school for bribery and bratty behavior. Correctly deducing neglect is a growing concern, millionaire father Melvyn Douglas (as Frank Burton Cheyne) decides to take more of an interest in Master Bartholomew, and takes his son on a luxury cruise. After gorging too many chocolate ice cream sodas, Bartholomew falls overboard. He is fished out of the water by Portuguese-accented Spencer Tracy (as Manuel Fidello)...Bartholomew orders Mr. Tracy's schooner captain to take him home, but leader Lionel Barrymore (as Disko Troop) and the crew don't believe bossy Bartholomew is the son of a tycoon. Bartholomew must stay on the "We're Here" boat for three months, and is expected to do his share of the work. It's far from smooth sailing, but Tracy and his "Little Fish" eventually form a strong, character-building bond. This played well with critics and the public. Tracy won an Oscar and Bartholomew is as good.******** Captains Courageous (5/11/37) Victor Fleming ~ Freddie Bartholomew, Spencer Tracy, Lionel Barrymore, Melvyn Douglas