Captain Lightfoot (1955)

The first American film shot entirely in Ireland (only THE QUIET MAN's exteriors were shot in Ireland) was this rousing swashbuckler set in the early 19th century. It might seem an atypical film for Douglas Sirk but it's breezy, well done fun. A hot headed Irish rebel (Rock Hudson) flees his small village for Dublin after being recognized during a robbery. On his way, he's rescued by the notorious revolutionary known as Captain Thunderbolt (Jeff Morrow) who takes him under his wing and serves as his mentor and christens him, Captain Lightfoot. The strapping Hudson is so likable that you overlook his awkwardness (and his even worse Irish accent). The opulent sets and costumes are near breathtaking as photographed by Irving Glassberg in CinemaScope and Ireland has never looked more inviting or beautiful (I was ready to pack my bags!). It may lack the panache of some of the early Errol Flynn or Tyrone Power swashbucklers but it's hard to resist its ingratiating charms. With Barbara Rush (whose beauty is disfigured by a hideous black wig) as the love interest, Kathleen Ryan, Finlay Currie and Dennis O'Dea. The lively uncredited score is by Heinz Roemheld and Herman Stein