Swashbuckler from Sam Katzman which has a decent budget and strong story but is almost sunk by the miscasting of Sterling Hayden as the hero. I know Hayden was a real life hero into boats and stuff but he just looks too weird as a French privateer. There's something too American and contemporary about his appearance.
The film is notable for having two decent female roles. Rhonda Fleming has the time of her life as a woman who is a pirate and pretends to be a lady and she's doing it for her property - she flashes her bare back, dives in the water, fights with swords, flirts, slaps hands (Hayden is a bit rapey as per the convention of leading men at the time).
There's also Helena Carter in an unconvincing black wig as a Spanish lady who eyes off Hayden and wants him but is engaged to drip John Sutton - Hayden's dad! Part of me wishes Carter had Fleming's role - she's got more spirit, but Fleming is fine.
Still, the film didn't quite work for me. The story didn't build or something - it lacked momentum. I wanted more excitement. Maybe it was Hayden and Sutton who wrecked it. Anyways, it looks good.
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