Strange Cargo

1940
Approved
1h 53m

IMDb RATING

6.9/10

YOUR RATING

Clark Gable and Joan Crawford in Strange Cargo (1940)

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1 Video

35 Photos

Adventure Epic Prison Drama Adventure Drama Romance

Convicts escaping from Devil's Island come under the influence of a strange Christ-like figure.Convicts escaping from Devil's Island come under the influence of a strange Christ-like figure.Convicts escaping from Devil's Island come under the influence of a strange Christ-like figure.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.9/10

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Grideau
(as Frederic Worlock)

Bernard Nedell

Marfeu

Victor Varconi

Fisherman

Jack Adair

Guard
(uncredited)

Richard Alexander

Guard
(uncredited)

Stanley Andrews

Constable
(uncredited)

Betty Compson

Suzanne
(uncredited)

Gene Coogan

Convict
(uncredited)

Harry Cording

Guard
(uncredited)

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Received a "Condemned" rating from the Catholic Legion of Decency for "irreverent use of Scripture" and "lustful complications." Even after the studio made the changes demanded, distribution was sharply cut by cities refusing to book it. Contemporary articles in The Hollywood Reporter noted the film was banned in Detroit. Other sources state it also was banned in Boston and Providence, Rhode Island.

Goofs
At one point, Verne (Clark Gable) escapes by jumping out a window into the water. A short while later, on land, he pulls a out a Bible from inside his shirt to check a map printed inside. As he flips through the pages, there is no sign whatsoever that the book got wet. The unprotected Bible should have shown signs of water immersion (damp edges, soggy paper, etc.), but it appears to be perfectly dry.

Quotes
André Verne: So you outsmarted me, huh?
Julie: That's what happens, they tell me, when smart people get together. One of them winds up ahead.

Alternate versions
There is an Italian edition of this film on DVD, distributed by DNA Srl: "VOLTO DI DONNA (1941) + DONNE (1939) + STRANGE CARGO (1940)" (3 Films on a single DVD), re-edited with the contribution of film historian Riccardo Cusin. This version is also available for streaming on some platforms.

Connections
Featured in Hero at Large (1980)

User reviews54

Review

Featured review

Great film, a fantasy about God among us.

In disagreement with other viewers I found nothing UNEASY about this picture. The film, a great one, deals with a "Strange" character (Cambreau)who by his mannerisms and wisdom hint at his being God incarnate. The question then arises as to why God would come among a group of sinners, convicts and scum. The script is well-written and stimulates a great deal of feeling. The writer certainly was able to bring biblical principals to pass on the screen with well- employed similes. If one knows the bible at all, then they would know that Jesus Christ did exactly that and when he asked why he answered that it was the sick who needed a physician... NOT the well. All of the roles are well-acted. This picture is certainly in my top 20.