The Ghost Ship (1943)

Actors: Robert R. Stephenson (actor), Lawrence Tierney (actor), Paul Marion (actor), Charles Regan (actor), Dewey Robinson (actor), Nolan Leary (actor), Robert Bice (actor), George DeNormand (actor), Richard Dix (actor), Steve Forrest (actor), Eddie Borden (actor), Boyd Davis (actor), Mike Lally (actor), Alec Craig (actor), Herb Vigran (actor),

Plot: Tom Merriam signs on the ship Altair as third officer under Captain Stone. At first things look good, Stone sees Merriam as a younger version of himself and Merriam sees Stone as the first adult to ever treat him as a friend. But after a couple strange deaths of crew members, Merriam begins to think Stone is a psychopathic madman obsessed with authority. He tries to tell others, but no one believes him, and it only makes Stone angry..

Keywords: authority, captain, merchant-marine, murder, mute, ship
Genres: Drama, Mystery, Thriller,
Taglines: MYSTERY TERROR! (original print ad - all caps)

Quotes:

Finn, the Mute: [voiceover] The man is dead. With his death, the waters of the sea are open to us. But there will be other deaths, and the agony of dying, before we come to land again.

Captain Will Stone: You know, there are some captains who would hold this against you.

Captain Will Stone: [the freighter 'Altair,' under his command, is now underway] It's good for a sailor to go to sea. It's even better for an officer... Ah, it's a good feeling. In San Pedro, I was just another captain. At sea, I am... *THE* captain.

Captain Will Stone: [He's just caught Merriam getting into the arsenal locker; he pulls his revolver on him] Hold it! Move, and you'll get a bullet through the abdomen. Not a pleasant or quick death, either. Perhaps you've never seen a man die that way? But I want you to live! I want you to learn the great lesson that I thought I'd taught you: authority *cannot* be questioned!::3rd Officer Tom Merriam: That's crazy talk.::Captain Will Stone: Well, I've never felt more sane in my life than I do at this moment... Who's crazy? You, who defied me and are helpless? Or I, who control your destiny and the destiny of the 'Altair' and all the lives on board?::3rd Officer Tom Merriam: I wish Bowns... I wish the crew could see what I see now, could hear you talk.::Captain Will Stone: You think I'm insane?::3rd Officer Tom Merriam: Yes, and they would too if they could see you now, raving and ranting...::Captain Will Stone: I'm captain. As long as I wear these stripes there isn't a man in the crew that'll believe you or help you. You'll find them too lazy, too cowardly, too disinterested... That's what I want you to learn, Merriam! Men are worthless cattle! And a few men are given authority to drive them.::3rd Officer Tom Merriam: You can't prove that to me, even with a gun, Captain. I know people aren't that way. They're good, kind. They help each other. It's only hard to get them to understand.::Captain Will Stone: I'll give you a chance to make them understand. You go out there. Go any place you want on board ship. Talk to them. SEE if you can get them to help you. SEE if they'll stand up with you against authority. Even your friend Sparks won't help you. Go ahead, get out! TRY and get help against me! Try! Try! Try!

3rd Officer Tom Merriam: [Approaches Jim, busy working on the railing] But Jim, can't you understand what I'm trying to tell you?::3rd Officer Tom Merriam: [Jim ignores him, keeps on working] But Louie was your pal - the best friend you had on board. How do you think your pal was caught in the chain locker? Do you think that door closed itself?::Jim Lorne: If you'll take my advice, you'll quit trying to start trouble around here.::3rd Officer Tom Merriam: [the Boatswain's Mate approaches them] Boats, you're a sensible man...::Boats: Listen, kid, quit tryin' to stir up trouble with the crew against the Old Man. They don't like it. They don't like YOU. And what's more, did you ever hear about mutiny? [Merriam drops the whole conversation and walks off]