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The Golden Hawk
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Sidney Salkow
Written by Frank Yerby
Robert E. Kent
Based on The Golden Hawk
by Frank Yerby
Produced by Sam Katzman
Starring Rhonda Fleming
Sterling Hayden
John Sutton
Cinematography William V. Skall
Edited by Edwin Bryant
Music by Mischa Bakaleinikoff
Production
company
Esskay Pictures
Distributed by Columbia Pictures
Release date
  • October 17, 1952 (1952-10-17)
Running time
83 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The Golden Hawk is a 1952 American historical adventure film directed by Sidney Salkow and starring Rhonda Fleming, Sterling Hayden and John Sutton. [1] It is based on the 1948 novel of the same name by Frank Yerby. [2] [3]

Plot

French sea captain Kit 'The Hawk' Gerardo sails the seas in the 17th century in command of the ship Sea Flower, seeking out Spanish pirate Luis del Toro, believing him responsible for the death of Kit's mother Jeanne Buoyant.

A female pirate who calls herself Captain Rouge disguises herself as a Dutch maid to board a vessel, then shoots and wounds Kit when he attempts to make romantic advances. Kit kidnaps a woman, Bianca, the betrothed of del Toro, and demands 10,000 pieces of gold for her safe return. Del Toro pays, then surrounds Kit with three of his ships to take it back. Rouge wants half the loot for herself. In a raid of Jamaica on orders of the king, Kit discovers that the property once belonged to Rouge, who is a British subject, Lady Jane Golfin, trying to retrieve the riches that have been illegally taken from her family.

Bianca, in love with Kit, betrays him and Kit ends up tried, convicted and sentenced to hang. Del Toro intervenes on his behalf, however, and reveals that Kit is his own son.

Cast

Production

Frank Yerby's novel was published in 1948. [4] The book was a best seller, selling 1,863,000 copies. [5] In 1951 it was announced Sterling Hayden and Rhonda Fleming would star in a film version. [6] Helena Carter played the second female lead. [7]

See also

References

  1. ^ "The Golden Hawk". NY Times. Retrieved August 24, 2012.
  2. ^ The Golden Hawk at the TCM Movie Database
  3. ^ "Of Local Origin". New York Times. October 17, 1952. p. 33.
  4. ^ Watson, Wilbur (May 2, 1948). "Balloon Prose: The Golden Hawk. By Frank Yerby. 346 pp. New York: The Dial Press. $3". New York Times. p. 226.
  5. ^ "magazine of BOOKS: Two Best Sellers of 1948 Now Past Million Mark Hansen, Harry". Chicago Daily Tribune. December 19, 1948. p. e8.
  6. ^ "FILMLAND BRIEFS". Los Angeles Times. September 18, 1951. p. B7.
  7. ^ Vagg, Stephen (February 14, 2020). "Helena Carter: An Appreciation". Filmink.

External links