Rugged Water

Plot

A Cape Cod melodrama about the U.S. Life-Saving Service based on a novel by Joseph C. Lincoln. When the captain of the Setauket Life Saving Station retires, the second in command, Calvin Homer (Warner Baxter), expects to be promoted; but the appointment goes instead to Benoni Bartlett (Wallace Beery), a religious fanatic who has been named a hero as the only survivor of dangerous rescue that claimed the lives of his fellow crewmen at a neighboring station. Bartlett's daughter Norma (Lois Wilson)) convinces Homer to stay in spite of her father's antagonistic ways. Soon a romance springs up between the two of them, even though Myra Fuller (Phyllis Haver) had already finagled a proposal out of Homer. Myra, the village vamp, breaks off her engagement to him. When a storm blows, Bartlett's religious fanaticism proves to be nothing but a cover for his cowardice and he refuses to send his crew out to rescue a vessel in distress. Calvin takes the men out and effects the rescue. Bartlett is discharged, and Calvin is appointed to replace him. Driven insane by his experiences, Bartlett ventures out in a small boat in rough water, and Calvin rescues him. The old man dies from exposure, and Norma, having realized that Calvin was not responsible for her father's disgrace, seeks refuge in his strong arms.

Cast