Englishman Ambrose Applejohn, who is approaching his thirty-seventh birthday, decides to sell his ancestral castle, where he lives with his aunt Agatha and his American ward Poppy, and set off in search of adventure. That evening, after the women have gone to bed, the butler admits Anna Valeska, a beautiful Russian noblewoman, who explains that she is being pursued by Ivan Borolsky, a spy. Ambrose agrees to shelter her and, hearing a second knock, hides Anna and greets Mr. and Mrs. Pengard, who claim to have suffered an automobile accident. When Ambrose leaves the room for a moment, the Pengards unlock a window and leave. Then the butler announces a third visitor, Borolsky, who says he is looking for Anna, the woman who betrayed him. Ambrose refuses to turn Anna over, and Borolsky leaves, vowing to return. After Ambrose goes to bed, the Pengards enter through the unlocked window and discover a secret panel, but while opening it, they make a noise and have to leave in a hurry. Poppy and Ambrose investigate the noise, finding a parchment in the panel that reveals that Ambrose is a descendent of the notorious pirate, Captain Applejack, whose treasure is hidden in the castle. Poppy decides to make coffee, and Ambrose dozes off, and dreams of his swashbuckling ancestor. After Poppy wakes him, Anna enters, begging Ambrose to move the hidden jewels. Borolsky returns with a policeman, and after arguing with Ambrose, is left alone with Anna. The three, who are all thieves, join the Pengards, who have returned, in an effort to find the treasure. While they search, Ambrose’s lawyer, John Mason, arrives, explaining that he hid the parchment to provide excitement for Ambrose. Under the seal of the parchment, Poppy discovers directions to another panel, where they find the treasure. Mason alerts the Coast Guard, who capture the criminals after a long chase. His need for adventure fulfilled, Ambrose proposes to Poppy. More on Wikipedia
Watch Captain Applejack (1931)
