Raiders Of The Seven Seas (1953)

The notorious pirate Barbarossa (a red haired John Payne) raids a Caribbean island and takes the governor's daughter (Donna Reed) as his hostage. He intends to hold her for ransom but falls in love with her instead. Written, produced and directed by Sidney Salkow (LAST MAN ON EARTH). This spirited Technicolor pirate nonsense is modestly entertaining if you don't ask for much. As a swashbuckler, the likable Payne lacks the requisite panache of an Errol Flynn or Tyrone Power but he's an engaging presence and wields a sword with conviction. Reed, however, makes for an excellent feisty pirate heroine in the tradition of a Maureen O'Hara which is good as much of the film focuses on their antagonistic relationship. The Caribbean looks to be the Universal back-lot (even though it's a United Artists film) if I can trust my eye. Reed's fetching costumes are by Yvonne Wood and the Technicolor cinematography by Oscar winner W. Howard Greene (1943's PHANTOM OF THE OPERA). With Gerald Mohr, Anthony Caruso, Frank DeKova, Henry Brandon and Lon Chaney Jr.