The Captain's Table (Original title)
Dates: 1958 (Copyright), 02 February 1959 (Release)Country: United KingdomDirected by: Jack Lee
Synopsis: Comedy. 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.
Genre: Comedy
Subjects: Ships, Captains, Embezzlement
Film, Video or Digital materials held in BFI National Archive(3)
Accessible materials to view(1)
Description: VHS cassetteBFI identifier: C-1109907
Status: Viewing - Videotape can be requested for access
Video materials(1)
Description: VHS cassetteBFI identifier: C-1109907
Status: Viewing - Videotape can be requested for access
Film materials(2)
Description: 35mm Original Colour NegativeBase: CTASound: MuteLength: 8136 FeetStock date: 1958BFI identifier: C-631288
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Re-recorded NegativeBase: PolyesterSound: SoundLength: 8136 FeetStock date: 1958BFI identifier: C-631289
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Dates: 1958 (Copyright), 02 February 1959 (Release)Country: United KingdomDirected by: Jack Lee
Synopsis: Comedy. 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.
Genre: Comedy
Subjects: Ships, Captains, Embezzlement
Film, Video or Digital materials held in BFI National Archive(3)
Accessible materials to view(1)
Description: VHS cassetteBFI identifier: C-1109907
Status: Viewing - Videotape can be requested for access
Video materials(1)
Description: VHS cassetteBFI identifier: C-1109907
Status: Viewing - Videotape can be requested for access
Film materials(2)
Description: 35mm Original Colour NegativeBase: CTASound: MuteLength: 8136 FeetStock date: 1958BFI identifier: C-631288
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Re-recorded NegativeBase: PolyesterSound: SoundLength: 8136 FeetStock date: 1958BFI identifier: C-631289
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film