During a whaling expedition in the late 1800's, the aging Captain Bering Joy (Lionel Barrymore) and his new first mate, Dan Lunceford (Richard Widmark) engage in a battle of wills concerning the education of the captain's struggling grandson.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Richard WidmarkDan Lunceford | Dan Lunceford |
 Lionel BarrymoreBering Joy | Bering Joy |
 Dean StockwellJed Joy | Jed Joy |
 Cecil KellawaySlush Tubbs | Slush Tubbs |
 Gene LockhartAndrew L. Bush | Andrew L. Bush |
 Berry KroegerManchester | Manchester |
 John McIntireThatch | Thatch |
 Harry MorganBritton | Britton |
 Harry DavenportBenjamin Harris | Benjamin Harris |
 Paul HarveyJohn Briggs | John Briggs |
 Jay C. FlippenLuke Sewell | Luke Sewell |
 Robert AdlerCrew Member (uncredited) | Crew Member (uncredited) |
| JJimmy HawkinsBoy (uncredited) | Boy (uncredited) |