All The Brothers Were Valiant (1953)

Set in mid 19th century New England, the captain (Robert Taylor) of a whaling vessel returns from two years at sea to discover his brother (Stewart Granger) disappeared while at sea and is presumed dead. On his next whaling voyage, accompanied by his new bride (Ann Blyth) who his brother also loved, he attempts to find out what happened to his brother. Based on a novel by Ben Ames Williams (LEAVE HER TO HEAVEN) and directed by Richard Thorpe, this spirited sea faring adventure is decent enough though its finish is anti-climactic rather than the thrilling finale one expects. A major portion of the film is devoted to a flashback regarding Granger and some villainous pearl thieves (James Whitmore, Kurt Kasznar) that seems more attractive than the squabbling among the brothers in the present. Taylor seems unusually lethargic but Granger more than compensates by upping the scoundrel quotient. Blyth is lovely with little to do but change costumes. The Technicolor cinematography by George J. Folsey received an Oscar nomination. The rousing score is by Miklos Rozsa. The large supporting cast includes Keenan Wynn, Betta St. John, Lewis Stone, John Lupton, Michael Pate, Frank DeKova and Leo Gordon.