The Golden Hawk (C+ or 2/4 stars)
'The Golden Hawk', a rollicking 17th century pirate adventure directed by Sidney Salkow, stars Sterling Hayden as privateer Kit Gerardo & Rhonda Fleming as gorgeous Dutch maid, Rouge (aptly named, her fire red hair stands out, even amid the color photography). When Rouge's French ship is besieged by the minions of evil Caribbean governor Luis del Toro (John Sutton), Kit Gerardo swoops in for her rescue (though, she wounds him when he tries to make romantic advances).
Kit has another bone to pick with Luis del Toro. He believes the Spanish governor is responsible for his mother's death. So he kidnaps his lady friend, Blanca de Valdiva (Helen Carter); demanding 10,000 pieces of gold for her return. But as the movie unfolds, it turns out that almost everyone is NOT who they appear to be - especially the enigmatic Rouge. Is she Dutch, English, French, Spanish, a pirate(!)? Hijinks ensue as Kit Gerardo et all try to raid Jamaica for riches & exact revenge on loathsome Luis del Toro. But then ... is Luis actually a bad guy? He may have more ties to Kit's past than Kit might imagine.
You know, this movie is fine. It's nothing to go crazy over. It's flawed. Heck, most of the stock footage of ships/explosions/fights is from earlier pirate epics {haha}! Acting-wise, Sterling Hayden comes across as slightly wooden/uninterested ... which, of course, is a problem. But I quite enjoyed the 2 female roles, played by beautiful & enticing Rhonda Fleming & Helen Carter as Blanca de Valdiva. Carter is a good actress who, as it turns out, did not do many movies in her career; a shame. I'm glad I saw 'The Golden Hawk'. The cinematography, sets, stock footage, & lavish costumes are nice to look at. But the whole thing feels pretty 'minor'.
Kit has another bone to pick with Luis del Toro. He believes the Spanish governor is responsible for his mother's death. So he kidnaps his lady friend, Blanca de Valdiva (Helen Carter); demanding 10,000 pieces of gold for her return. But as the movie unfolds, it turns out that almost everyone is NOT who they appear to be - especially the enigmatic Rouge. Is she Dutch, English, French, Spanish, a pirate(!)? Hijinks ensue as Kit Gerardo et all try to raid Jamaica for riches & exact revenge on loathsome Luis del Toro. But then ... is Luis actually a bad guy? He may have more ties to Kit's past than Kit might imagine.
You know, this movie is fine. It's nothing to go crazy over. It's flawed. Heck, most of the stock footage of ships/explosions/fights is from earlier pirate epics {haha}! Acting-wise, Sterling Hayden comes across as slightly wooden/uninterested ... which, of course, is a problem. But I quite enjoyed the 2 female roles, played by beautiful & enticing Rhonda Fleming & Helen Carter as Blanca de Valdiva. Carter is a good actress who, as it turns out, did not do many movies in her career; a shame. I'm glad I saw 'The Golden Hawk'. The cinematography, sets, stock footage, & lavish costumes are nice to look at. But the whole thing feels pretty 'minor'.