The Extraordinary Seaman movie storyline. Lt. Commander Finchhaven, a ghostly relic from the First World War, he had fallen down dead drunk on his first assignment and been consigned from the great beyond to sail the seas until a further opportunity arises to redeem his actions. During the Second World War, he is encountered by a quartet of American seamen that includes Lt. Morton Krim and cook W.J. Oglethorpe. A deal is completed whereby the men will help re-float Finchhaven’s command in return for a passage to Australia.
They raid a village to secure batteries for the engine and come upon the feisty Jennifer Winslow who offers them aid in return for a passage with the crew. Eventually they reach the open sea. Finchhaven’s ghostly status is revealed and Lt. Krim and Jennifer help him to sink a Japanese cruiser.
The Extraordinary Seaman is a 1969 American comedy war film directed by John Frankenheimer and starring David Niven, Faye Dunaway, Alan Alda, Mickey Rooney, and Jack Carter. Apart from his participation in the documentaries That’s Entertainment! (1974), and That’s Entertainment! III (1994), the movie is notable for being the last film Mickey Rooney acted in which was released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, his studio during the period of his major stardom during the 1930s and ’40s.
This movie was widely panned by the critics and barely achieved any kind of a commercial release. Director John Frankenheimer said in an interview that of all the films he directed this was his least favorite. He said it was the only movie he ever made that he considered “an absolute disaster from beginning to end”.
The Extraordinary Seaman (1969)
Directed by: John Frankenheimer
Starring: David Niven, Faye Dunaway, Alan Alda, Mickey Rooney, Jack Carter, Juano Hernandez, Manu Tupou, Barry Kelley, Richard Guizon, Leonard O. Smith, John Cochran, Olivia de Havilland
Screenplay by: Phillip Rock, Hal Dresner
Cinematography by: Lionel Lindon
Film Editing by: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Set Decoration by: Henry Grace, Hugh Hunt
Art Direction by: Edward C. Carfagno, George W. Davis
Music by: Maurice Jarre
MPAA Rating: None.
Distributed by: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
Release Date: January 5, 1969
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