The Princess and the Pirate

The Hook buries his treasure on a isolated island and murders the map maker to seal the location away from prying eyes. This cruel act creates a motive for every pursuit that follows and marks the starting point of the treasure hunt. The island scene sets the stage for the Hook's future schemes and the fate of those who cross him.

With the treasure map in mind, the Hook and his ruthless crew set their sights on the Mary Ann to kidnap Princess Margaret and extract a large ransom. The crew prepares for a bold, high-stakes strike at sea. The plan hinges on fear and swift violence to seize control of the ship.

The Avenger closes in on the Mary Ann and a fierce battle erupts. Many of the Mary Ann's crew are killed or forced to walk the plank as the pirates tighten their grip. The ship is overwhelmed as the Hook consolidates power and advances toward his ransom goal.

A cowardly actor, Sylvester the Great, escapes danger by disguising himself as a gypsy woman. He is taken aboard The Avenger alongside Margaret, slipping through the chaos unharmed for the moment. The disguise allows him to remain useful to Margaret while evading capture.

Featherhead, the ship's tattooist, grows fond of the disguised Sylvester and reveals the treasure map's true importance. He furnishes Sylvester with the map and aids their escape toward the pirate island Casarouge. The map's possession becomes the crucial leverage for the pair.

Sylvester and Margaret reach the pirate island Casarouge and check into the Boar's Head Inn. They plan to meet Featherhead's cousin to pass the map and attempt to earn money by performing at the Bucket of Blood. The island's rough atmosphere mirrors the danger surrounding them.

Margaret is kidnapped by Governor La Roche, who is revealed to be the mastermind behind the abduction. Sylvester learns that La Roche intends to ransom her for a million doubloons and becomes a prisoner himself. The Governor expects to reap a large payoff and Iran the leverage over the young princess.

While Margaret endures a hunger strike, Sylvester is kept under the Governor's watch but uses his wits to aid her. Their alliance grows as he attempts to outsmart La Roche and find a path to escape. The intimacy of their bond strengthens amid the captivity.

Featherhead secretly returns, knocks Sylvester out, and tattoos the treasure map onto his chest. In a bizarre turn, they then seemingly destroy the map by eating it, keeping its dangerous knowledge hidden but in Sylvester's possession. The tattoo ensures the map remains on Sylvester for future drama.

The Hook suspects Sylvester is the gypsy who stole the map and heads to the Governor's house to kill him. The Governor discovers the map on Sylvester's chest as the Hook arrives, sparking a tense confrontation. Featherhead intervenes by shooting the Hook, wounding him and changing the balance of power.

Pedro, the Hook's right-hand, leads a raid on the Governor's house to rescue the captured Hook. In the melee, they inadvertently free Sylvester, who is disguised as the Hook, along with Margaret. The raid shifts the tide and scatters the villains.

Back on The Avenger, Sylvester continues to issue orders while masquerading as the Hook. The real Hook is also on the ship, creating conflicting commands and confusion. The situation escalates until Sylvester is finally unmasked.

The King's ship arrives and both Sylvester and Margaret are released from danger. The King declares he won't stand in the way if she wishes to marry a commoner, and she runs toward a sailor, Bing Crosby's character. Sylvester laments the outcome, quipping that this would be his last Goldwyn picture.