The World in His Arms
| The World in His Arms | |
|---|---|
 Original film poster by Reynold Brown | |
| Directed by | Raoul Walsh |
| Produced by | Aaron Rosenberg |
| Written by |
Rex Beach (novel) Borden Chase Horace McCoy (additional dialog) |
| Starring |
Gregory Peck Ann Blyth Anthony Quinn |
| Music by | Frank Skinner |
| Cinematography | Russell Metty |
| Edited by | Frank Gross |
| Distributed by | Universal-International |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 104 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $3 million (US rentals)[1] |
The World in His Arms is a 1952 seafaring adventure film made by Universal-International. It was directed by Raoul Walsh and produced by Aaron Rosenberg from a screenplay by Borden Chase and Horace McCoy. It is based on the novel by Rex Beach. The music score was by Frank Skinner and the cinematography by Russell Metty.
The film stars Gregory Peck, Ann Blyth and Anthony Quinn, with John McIntire, Carl Esmond, Andrea King, Eugenie Leontovich, Hans Conried, and Sig Ruman.
Plot summary
In 1850 San Francisco, Russian Countess Marina Selanova (Blyth) flees from an arranged marriage to Prince Semyon (Esmond). She books passage with "Portugee" (Quinn) to Sitka, where her uncle Governor Ivan Vorashilov (Sig Ruman) can protect her.
When Portugee's bitter rival, Captain Jonathan Clark, "the Boston-man“ (Peck), frees his shanghaied crew, she sends a man to negotiate with him instead. However, Jonathan hates all Russians and turns down the offer. In desperation, Marina goes to the party he is throwing and, pretending to be the Countess's companion, gets him to change his mind. As he shows her the sights of the city in one whirlwind night, they fall in love. Jonathan proposes marriage and she gladly accepts.
However, Prince Semyon finds Marina and takes her to Sitka. Believing Marina has tricked him, Jonathan races Portugee to Alaska, recklessly wagering his ship on who gets there first. Jonathan wins, but that doesn't stop Portugee from trying to steal his ship anyway. Unluckily, while both crews are brawling, a Russian gunboat appears and takes them all captive to Sitka.
Once there, Prince Semyon forces Marina to agree to marry him in return for Jonathan's freedom. Jonathan and his men double back, rescue Marina, and sail away.
Cast
- Gregory Peck as Captain Jonathan Clark
- Ann Blyth as Countess Marina Selanova
- Anthony Quinn as "Portugee"
- John McIntire as Deacon Greathouse, Jonathan's second in command
- Carl Esmond as Prince Semyon
- Sig Ruman as General Ivan Vorashilov
- Andrea King as Mamie
- Eugenie Leontovich as Anna Selanova
- Bill Radovitch as Ogeechuk, Jonathan's Eskimo crewman
- Rhys Williams as Eben Cleggett
- Bryan Forbes as William Cleggett
- Hans Conried as Eustace, hotel clerk
Reception
The film was the eighth most popular movie at the British box office in 1952.[2]
Home video
Versions of the film have been released as a VHS videotape[3] and as a region 1 DVD.[4]
References
- ↑ 'Top Box-Office Hits of 1952', Variety, January 7, 1953
- ↑ "COMEDIAN TOPS FILM POLL.". The Sunday Herald (Sydney, NSW : 1949 - 1953). Sydney, NSW: National Library of Australia. 28 December 1952. p. 4. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
- ↑ The World in His Arms (videotape). Universal Studios. September 17, 1996.
- ↑ The World in His Arms (DVD). Universal Studios. April 5, 2011. Region 1 (US and Canada).
External links
- The World in His Arms at the TCM Movie Database
- The World in His Arms at the Internet Movie Database