This is one of those roles that you really have to chew the scenery to make it work and Cyril Ritchard doesn’t just chew, he devours the scenery! Easily one of the best Captain Hooks ever. Dustin Hoffman clearly took notes from this when he did Hook.
I wasn't born at this time, but this was the first version of Peter Pan I saw as a child. I don't know why, but he's always been my favorite Captain Hook. He's the perfect blend of evil and playful. I don't know....maybe it's his random dance numbers...lol! Then again, maybe it's just because I grew up watching this version.
I think Cyril understood how that with this type of role, you need to make the character menacing enough that there’s stakes but not so far that it scares the little kids watching. Contrast this with the Wicked Witch of the West which terrifies most small children.
