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Warner Brothers caught lightning in a bottle when they took a chance on a relatively unknown Tazmanian actor and cast Errol Flynn as Peter Blood in the Oscar-nominated crowd pleaser Captain Blood. Flynn became an instant star with his magnetic performance as an English physician forced into slavery, who would later lead a band of fellow slaves to piracy on the high seas. Captain Blood is the grandfather of swashbucklers, at least of the sound era, and is still remarkably entertaining 75 years after its initial release. The film benefits from the refined direction of Michael Curtiz (Casablanca, Robin Hood) and the rousing music of Erich Wolfgang Korngold, as well as colorful supporting performances from Olivia DeHavilland and Basil Rathbone, both of whom would become frequent Flynn co-stars. The love story, like so many of the era, seems tacked on and superfluous to the narrative, but DeHavilland proves more engaging than the typical decorative leading lady. Captain Blood is an example of when everything goes right in escapist fare. It’s exceedingly well made, but when you add the twinkle in Flynn’s eyes, it’s damned irresistible.

Oscar Nominations: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Sound, Best Score