Watch Double Crossbones

Double Crossbones is a rollicking swashbuckling adventure film from 1951 that tells the story of Davey Crandall, a young man who is mistaken for a notorious pirate named Anne Bonney. Directed by Charles Barton, the movie stars the charming and energetic Donald O'Connor as Davey, alongside the beautiful Helena Carter as his love interest, Peggy, and the seasoned actor Will Geer as the gruff but kind-hearted pirate captain Ben Wickett.

The movie opens with Davey and his father, Captain Kiddo Crandall, running a failing ship chartering business in the Caribbean. Davey dreams of adventure on the high seas, but his father wants him to settle down and run the business. Meanwhile, the notorious pirate Anne Bonney is causing havoc in the waters nearby, stealing from the Spanish fleet and evading capture.

One day, Davey and his father are tricked into taking a secret load of stolen goods on board their ship by a group of smugglers. Unbeknownst to them, Anne Bonney's crew is waiting to ambush the ship and steal the goods. In the confusion, Davey gets accidentally knocked out and Anne Bonney sees her chance to escape by switching places with him.

When Davey wakes up, he finds himself stranded on an island with a group of Anne Bonney's crew who have also been left behind. They mistake him for their captain and he goes along with it, hoping to use his new position to find a way off the island and clear his name.

Davey begins to enjoy the pirate life, learning sword fighting and other necessary skills from Anne Bonney's right-hand man, Skulls, played brilliantly by John Emery. He also starts to fall for Peggy, a beautiful woman who is being held captive by the pirates, and who shares his dream of leaving the pirate life behind. However, things take a turn for the worse when they discover that the stolen goods they were transporting are actually the dowry of the beautiful daughter of a Spanish nobleman, who is now in danger of being abducted by the pirates.

The rest of the movie is a thrilling adventure as Davey and the pirates race against time to rescue the nobleman's daughter, evade the Spanish navy, and clear Davey's name. Along the way, they encounter all sorts of obstacles and challenges, including a treacherous spy within their own ranks, and a fierce sea battle that tests their mettle and their courage.

One of the standout aspects of Double Crossbones is the excellent performances by the cast, particularly Donald O'Connor as Davey. He brings a sense of irrepressible joy and energy to the role, and his dancing skills are put to good use in the film's musical numbers. Helena Carter is also excellent as Peggy, bringing a warmth and intelligence to her character that makes her a perfect match for Davey. Will Geer, who would go on to play the wise old grandfather in The Waltons, is a standout as the grizzled Captain Wickett, bringing a sense of tough love and fatherly affection to his role.

Another highlight of the movie is the excellent action sequences, including a thrilling sea battle that is expertly choreographed and filmed. The director, Charles Barton, was a veteran of many Hollywood comedies and musicals, and he brings a sense of adventure and fun to this film that makes it a joy to watch.

In conclusion, Double Crossbones is a fun and entertaining swashbuckling adventure film that is sure to delight fans of the genre. With its excellent cast, exciting action sequences, and memorable characters, it is a classic example of Hollywood filmmaking at its best.

Double Crossbones is a 1951 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 15 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0.