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Mr. Laughton, however, produces his usual ripe performance and now & then, with the help of a knowing script, puts some good fun into the show. Sample: Arch-Chiseler John Carradine, a blackmailer secure from assassination, interrupts his captain's wistfully murderous musings with the reminder that they guarantee the gallows. Kidd's reply, delivered in steepest, nastiest English: "Spoil spoaht!"
*Kidd declared that he was innocent of piracy. Nevertheless, he was convicted of both murder and piracy and was hanged on May 13, 1701 at Execution Dock.