Captain China (1950)

John Payne is called Captain China because his character's name is Chinnough, and he sails the China Sea. He wakes up from a drunk on his ship to find it around on rocks and the crew gone. He is picked up by another ship.They take him to a hospital and he wakes up ten days later. Because of the testimony of Jeffrey Lynn, his first mate, he is cashiered in disgrace. Lynn is made a captain, and Payne ships as a passenger on his ship. Gail Russell, Lynn's girlfriend, is also on board. (Edgar Bergen portrays a Swedish passenger.) Lon Chaney was one of two men who locked Payne in his cabin on the wrecked ship. He promises to expose a crime Chaney had committed, and they fight. During the fight the first mate tries to break it up and hits his head, causing a serious injury.

Russell takes an interest in Payne and comes to his cabin for a drink. He tells her the story of the wreck and how he lost his job, and how he lost his girl, who couldn't deal with his life at sea. Lynn fires the third mate (Michael O'Shea) for drunkenness. Payne is losing control of the crew. He lies to Russell about the wreck, in order to put Payne in a bad light with her. It appears that a typhoon may be blowing up. It does, and Lynn does not appear equal to the task. Chaney is making plans to get rid of Payne during the storm so no one will miss him. They lose a man overboard. (Excellent, exciting storm footage. Well done.)

The machinery in the hold breaks loose, and threatens to destroy the ship. The First Mate begs Lynn to ask for Payne's help, and he agrees to it. He restores O'Shea to his rank. They go into the hold where the machinery is shifting about with every wave - one of a sailor's worst nightmares. Chaney tries to sabotage the effort to kill Payne, and is himself crushed in the process. Finally they get it secured. Lynn admits to Russell that he lied about Payne. He asks her to marry him, but she says she cannot compete with the sea - his real love. But at the last moment she changes her mind.

One member of the cast is Lawrence Tibbett, Jr., son of the famous opera singer.




O'Shea

Russell