The Mutiny of the Elsinore (also known as Jack London's Mutiny of the Elsinore) is a 1937 British action film directed by Roy Lockwood and starring Lyn Harding, Paul Lukas, and Kathleen Kelly. It was written by Beaufoy Milton and Walter Summers, adapted from the 1914 novel The Mutiny of the Elsinore by Jack London.
Production details
The film was produced by John Argyle under John Argyle Productions and distributed by Associated British Film Distributors. It was shot at Welwyn Studios in Hertfordshire, with location filming aboard the ship Padua at Funchal, Madeira. The sets were designed by art director Duncan Sutherland. The cinematography was by Bryan Langley, editing by F.H. Bickerton, and music by Guy Jones. The film has a running time of 79 minutes and was released on 3 September 1937.
Plot
Following a mutiny on a ship against a brutal first mate, a writer who is aboard as a passenger is asked to take over after the murder of the captain.
Cast
- Lyn Harding as Mr. Pike
- Paul Lukas as Jack Pethurst
- Kathleen Kelly as Margaret West
- Jiro Soneya as Wada
- Graham Soutten as Sidney Waltham
- Michael Martin Harvey as Charles Davis
- Clifford Evans as Bert Rhyne
- Conway Dixon as Captain West
- Tony Sympson as Shorty Peabody
- Pat Noonan as Murphy
- Alec Fraser as Benson
- Hamilton Keene as Twist
- William Devlin as O'Sullivan
Reception
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "While the story is exciting and direction achieves a fair amount of suspense the total effect is marred by many absurdities and inconsistencies... The settings are inclined to be monotonous, and some of the photography is self-consciously 'arty.' The acting throughout is good."
The Daily Film Renter wrote: "Jack London story revolving round mutiny aboard windjammer on high seas. Realistic storm sequence, and robust mutiny, plus sundry killings, offer good hearty dramatics... Lyn Harding as brutal first mate, and Paul Lukas as novelist seeking local colour top acting performances, and attractive locations include seascapes of great beauty. Full-blooded offering for masses."
