Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Comedy drama

Barnacle Bill (1941): Cast & Plot

Barnacle Bill (1941) movie poster

Barnacle Bill is a 1941 comedy drama directed by Richard Thorpe, starring Wallace Beery as Bill Johansen, Virginia Weidler and Donald Meek. It runs 1 hour 30 minutes.

Loading streaming availability…
Barnacle Bill (1941) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 30m (90 min)
Director
Richard Thorpe
Genres
Comedy , Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Barnacle Bill About?

The premise of Barnacle Bill without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Wally and Margie are a riot! A fishing boat captain searches for romance in hopes of improving his financial picture.

Barnacle Bill Themes & Keywords

· 24 tags
  • fishing boat
  • fisherman
  • pelican
  • tuna fishing
  • boat sinking
  • crooked businessman
  • sailboat
  • dangling from a rope
  • father daughter reunion
  • telescope
  • church service
  • playing checkers
+12 more
  • breaking a promise
  • swordfish
  • trying to fit in
  • foot caught in a mouse trap
  • singing offkey
  • man caught in a net
  • storm at sea
  • two women fight over a man
  • beery and main
  • daughter
  • deception
  • character name in title
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Barnacle Bill Cast & Characters

Wallace Beery leads the cast as Bill Johansen, with Virginia Weidler as Virginia Johansen and Donald Meek as "Pop" Cavendish. Directed by Richard Thorpe; 9 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Barnacle Bill

· 5 more
From the director

More from Richard Thorpe

More films directed by Richard Thorpe, best-rated first: Ivanhoe, Jailhouse Rock, How the West Was Won and The Last Challenge.

Full filmography
Plot

Barnacle Bill Plot Summary

What happens in Barnacle Bill from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Bill Johansen [Wallace Beery] is a lazy fisherman who drags his small, sinking boat into San Pedro harbor, kicking off trouble with ship chandler Pop Cavendish [Donald Meek] and Pop’s spinster daughter Marge Cavendish [Marjorie Main], who would happily marry him if he would finally settle his debts. Pop tries to have the boat attached, but Bill has cleverly listed ownership in the name of his daughter Virginia [Virginia Weidler], whom he hasn’t seen since she was a baby, a ruse that keeps the authorities from seizing the vessel. Meanwhile, reefer ship-owner John Kelly [Barton MacLane] has a monopoly over the local catch, pressuring fishermen to take far less than market value through intimidation and force.

Full summary

The whole story of Barnacle Bill, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Barnacle Bill?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who portrayed the lazy fisherman Bill Johansen?

Seen Barnacle Bill?

FAQ

Barnacle Bill FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Barnacle Bill, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Barnacle Bill?

Barnacle Bill runs 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).

When was Barnacle Bill released?

Barnacle Bill was released on April 7, 1941.

Who directed Barnacle Bill?

Barnacle Bill was directed by Richard Thorpe.

More films by Richard Thorpe

Who is in the cast of Barnacle Bill?

Barnacle Bill stars Wallace Beery as Bill Johansen, Virginia Weidler as Virginia Johansen and Donald Meek as "Pop" Cavendish, among 9 credited actors.

Does Barnacle Bill have a post-credit scene?

No. Barnacle Bill has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app