Mutiny on the Blackhawk
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Christy Cabanne
Richard Arlen
Andy Devine
Constance Moore
Noah Beery
Guinn "big Boy" Williams
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
Captain Robert Lawrence, a United States officer, is dispatched to the Sandwich Islands to put an end to the slave trade operated by the captain of the Blackhawk . Stowing away on board the ship, Bob is befriended by Slim Collins, one of the crew, and incites the galley slaves to mutiny against their brutal captain and his cruel first mate. After taking control of the ship, they free the islanders who had been taken as slaves and imprisoned in the cargo hold. Landing off the coast of California in search of provisions, the crew and the islanders seek shelter at the American settlement at Fort Bailey, where they learn that under the incompetent leadership of Sam Bailey, the settlers are in danger of being driven from their lands by the Mexican army led by General Romero. Bailey's daughter Helen convinces her father to offer Bob and his men food and shelter, and Bob decides to fight for the settlers' rights. Angered by Bob's demands, Romero, who is secretly in league with Bailey's wife Tania to drive the settlers from their land, orders the Americans to leave the settlement. After Bailey commands him to leave the fort, Bob learns from Kit Carson that General John Fremont and his troops are stationed nearby and rides for help. Fremont agrees to send food to the fort, but just as it is delivered, Romero's army, alerted by Tania, attacks. Under Bob's leadership, the crew and settlers unite and hold off the invaders until Fremont and his troops arrive. With Romero defeated, the American flag is raised over California territory, and Bob prepares to return to Hawaii with Helen at his side.
Director
Christy Cabanne
Cast
Richard Arlen
Andy Devine
Constance Moore
Noah Beery
Guinn "big Boy" Williams
Mala
Thurston Hall
Sandra Kane
Paul Fix
Richard Lane
Mabel Albertson
Charles Trowbridge
Bill Moore
Byron Foulger
Francisco Maran
Eddy Waller
Mamo Clark
Edwin Stanley
Harry Cording
George Lloyd
James Farley
Ed Le Saint
James Morton
Tenen Holtz
Marion Burns
Bernard Kikume
Luana Walters
Ben Lewis
Marty Faust
Frank Helman
Murdock Macquarrie
Martin Garralaga
Octavio Giraud
Charles Murphy
Crew
John W. Boyle
Ralph M. Delacy
William Fox
R. A. Gausman
Hal Herman
Phil Karlstein
Jack Otterson
Ben Pivar
Ben Pivar
Michael L. Simmons
Vera West
Maurice Wright
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
The working title of this picture was In Old California. According to a news item in Hollywood Reporter, production was postponed for one week on this picture while Andy Devine finished Geronimo. This was the first of eleven films featuring Richard Arlen and Andy Devine that Universal produced from 1939-1941. These films were all produced by Ben Pivar and all but three were directed by Christy Cabanne. Modern sources note that the film contained stock footage from Universal's 1936 production Sutter's Gold.
