The Spanish Main

Paul Henreid Produces a Winner!
Paul Henreid was getting a bit tired of playing in a bunch of gloomy (though mostly great) films over at Warner's. He went to head of production Jack Warner with the idea for a pirate picture. Jack Warner told him in no uncertain terms; "Look, when I want a lover, I'll take you. When I want a pirate, I'll get Errol Flynn!" So Henreid left Warner's and went to RKO who loved the idea, and assigned a scriptwriter. Henreid hated the first draft so much that he threatened to leave so to keep him on RKO hired Herman Mankiewicz to re-write it. The movie made $14 million and kept the studio above water. It's a fun movie, worthy of your attention. Henreid, Maureen O'Hara and Walter Slezak as the bad guy are all excellent. Get this movie if you like classic Technicolor extravaganzas.

Worthwhile just for Walter Slezak
I'm very fond of "The Spanish Main". It often doesn't elicit enthusiastic reviews, but I think it's among the best swashbucklers. Paul Henreid is better than he's usually given credit for -- an able lead. Maureen O'Hara is her typical spitfire leading lady. Yet Walter Slezak steals the picture with his utterly delightful villain, delivering really funny comments whenever he's on screen.

It's nice to finally have a good print released (if on expensive WB Archive Collection DVD-R). The picture and sound are generally fine, and the story is a rousing, action-filled, humorous, romantic, and gorgeously-costumed adventure.

A Maureen O'Hara Must Have
For all fans of Maureen O'Hara, this one is a must for your collection. It was near the beginning of her career and she was at her top and never came down. Great adventure and also a fine performance of 1940s star Paul Heinreid.

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