THE GHOST SHIP
US, 1943, 69 minutes, Black and white.
Richard Dix.
Directed by Mark Robson.
The Ghost Ship is one of several small-budget horror films from Val Lewton's horror department at R.K.O. during the '40s. Other films included The Cat People, The Seventh Victim, The Leopard Man, Bedlam, The Body Snatcher.
This film was withdrawn from release after a short time because of a plagiarism trial - which Lewton lost. However, the film is very well done, has something of a Lewton classic status as seen in retrospect. It portrays a ship, an obsessed captain, a hero who tries to do the right thing, a crew who ignore him. There is a sense of menace in the behaviour of the insane captain and his stalking of the third mate. The film is reminiscent (in anticipation!) of Captain Queeg in The Caine Mutiny and the plight of the hero wanting support in High Noon.
Richard Dix gives a persuasive performance as the mad Captain Stone. Studio-bound, the film nevertheless has atmosphere - and uses devices of sea shanties, a blind seller who is able to see reality, a mute whose voice-over is a chorus to the action.
1. A horror film of the '40s? Classic status? The work of Val Lewton on a small budget? The creation of a body of horror films?
2. R.K.O. production values: studio, atmosphere, black and white photography, score?
3. The familiarity Of the ship's story, the mad captain, the hero, mutiny?
4. The plausibility of the plot: the emphasis on reality suspense? The excitement of the action and suspense?
5. Devices for creating an atmosphere of eeriness and mystery: the sea shanties and ballads, the sailors, the blind seller who understood people, the mute and the way that he was visualised, his voice-over as a commentary and a chorus, protecting and saving the hero? The voiceover at the end?
6. The study of Captain Stone: his status as captain, his position on the ship, his proper style, the emphasis on authority, the welcoming of Tom Merrian, his preventing him killing the moth? His philosophising about not harming the moth, the idea of control over the crew, the risks for the crew? His talk, ideas? Changing while at sea? The response of the men? The crisis of the operation and his inability to do it, his explanation about not wanting to fail? The painting of the hook and his leaving it, its endangering people? His specious argument about leaving the authority to Merrian? Louis and the objection of Sea Law? His killing him? His explanation to Merrian? Roberts as his friend, going on shore? The discussion with Ellen? Her love for him? His fear of going mad - and his story of the mad captain who disintegrated and drowned? His stances against Tom after the hearing? The false telegram? The threats to Tom, to the crew? Sparks and his discovering the truth? The captain killing him? The mute understanding what had happened? The captain sedating Tom, the fight with the knife, the mute and the captain's death? His manner, mania? A convincing portrait of a disintegrating man?
7. Tom Merrian as hero: his isolated background, training, his arrival, the blind seller and his predictions, emphasis on luck, his obedience to the captain, the incident with the moth, listening to the captain and agreeing with him, his duties, stepping in and conducting the operation, friendship with Sparks, decision not to tell the rest of the crew the truth? Sparks's scepticism? Learning? Louis' death and his horror, the captain's arguing? His going ashore? The stance that he took, the hearing, the encounter with Roberts? The meeting with Ellen in the lift, the discussion, her hoping that he would not be like the captain? His helping in the brawl and being hit, finding himself on board, the clash with the captain, his being ignored by the crew, by Sparks? His fear and the measures he took in the cabin, suspense and fright, the captain's threat, Sparks's change of attitude, the first mate and the sedation, the mute and his protection, the attack, the end and his commanding the ship with the mute at his side? The silhouette of his meeting Ellen's sister?
8. Sparks as the wireless operator, sceptical attitudes, discussions? His wanting to keep his job, change and fear? The telegram? His death?
9. The crew and their attitude towards the captain, the role call, the bosun, discussions, the style of life on board, the swinging hook, the death of Louis, the hearing and their stances, ignoring Tom?
10. The mute and his voiceover, observations, the telegram and his inability to read, the fight and the death of the captain? His being beside Tom at the end?
11. Ellen and her love for the captain, 15 years, giving the lift to Tom, telling him about isolation, warning him? The divorce and the captain's backing away? Her sister meeting Tom at the end?
12. The brevity of the film and the combination of action, suspense and mood? A morality fable?
