Mason's Dangerous Sexuality

Did no one notice that Mason stole the film? Poor Alan Ladd, every time they were on screen together, Mason dominated the scene. He had such a commanding presence that you couldn't take your eyes off of him. Then there was that voice! This was the kind of role Mason could do in his sleep - arrogant, cruel, sexy, dangerous, delicious. And that crap about hints of ambiguous sexuality is just that, crap. Captain Gilbert only has eyes for Mistress Medina. I haven't read the book, but I'll bet they were lovers and the film couldn't be explicit about this because, after all, Ladd was the one with the white hat who would get the girl in the end. Plus the Production Code no doubt had some influence on the storyline. And yes, Mason would have been fabulous as Bligh. Although, Laughton and Howard were no slouches.