Information
- BFI identifier25587
- Date1958 (Copyright)
1959-02-02 (Release) - Production countryUnited Kingdom
- Production company
- SynopsisComedy. Albert Ebbs, who has worked on cargo ships, is given the chance to captain a luxurious ocean liner on a voyage from England to Australia. If all goes well, he will remain a captain; if not, he will be sacked. Looked after by his solicitous valet Burtweed, Ebbs begins his command with some uncertainty, wearing too-small trousers to dinner, failing to entertain his guests at table, allowing the bullying Major Broster (a friend of Sir Angus, who owns the line) to have his way with every demand and remaining unaware of the embezzlement racket that the dishonest purser coordinates with other crew members. He warns the crew not to be involved with drinking or womanising while at sea, yet he is enthusiastically pursued by the seductive and determined Mrs Porteous, who is travelling without her husband. So Ebbs takes Burtweed's advice to ward off romance by pretending he is married, with a photo (provided by Burtweed) of his 'wife and children' placed on his desk. Meanwhile, Ebbs seems more of a kindred spirit with young widow Mrs Judd, who is helpful to him when he overdoes the hospitality with a crew member in his cabin's private bar. Gradually, Ebbs finds his footing and the ship reaches port, longing to tell Mrs Judd that he is not really married. (Synopsis)
- Work historyThe opening credits include the following statement: 'This film was made with the enthusiastic co-operation of the Orient Line - who gravely disapproved of the whole thing.'
- Genre
- Subject
- CreditsDirected by: Jack Lee
©/Production Company: The Rank Organisation Film Productions Ltd
Presents: The Rank Organisation
view all - CastJohn Gregson (Captain Albert Ebbs)
Peggy Cummins (Mrs Judd)
Donald Sinden (Shawe-Wilson)
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Title
The Captain's Table (Original)
EIDR identifier
10.5240/3262-6DC5-80FB-C8FD-0364-9Category
FictionThis work is included in the BFI Filmography.
- Collections
- Film / Video
VHS cassette - Video - Viewing
view all - Scripts / DocumentsScript - Original story: Novel by Richard Gordon - SCR-5116
Ephemera: publicity - PBS-25587
Small pressbook held.
view all - StillsPhotograph: film still - Portrait - SPD-3246731
Photograph: film still - Portrait - SPD-3246732
Photograph: film still - Landscape - SPD-3246733
Photograph: film still - Landscape - SPD-3246734
Photograph: film still - Portrait - SPD-3246735
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- +The Captain's Table
Work - 25587 - 1958 (Copyright)
United Kingdom - Film - Fiction
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