FILM · 1992 · USA
Captain Ron
22 archived facts 2 topics 1 source Last reviewed Oct 2026
All facts (22)
- #001
Most of Captain Ron's personal wardrobe came from Kurt Russell's own closet. Many of Ron's mannerisms (shifting gears quickly, the pirate-like raspy voice, etc.) were also suggested by Russell. His only objection was that the character encouraged underage drinking, but he was persuaded when told it suited the character.
- #002
Both cars Captain Ron drives in the film are missing their headlights on the same side as his missing eye.
- #003
When Captain Ron introduces himself to the Harveys, he gives his full name as Ron Rico. Ron Rico is a brand of rum.
- #004
When Kurt Russell was cast, John Carpenter was nearly approached to direct. Carpenter admits he would have said yes, but mostly for the excuse to shoot in the Caribbean.
- #005
The pirate boat is named "Albondiga," which means "meatball" in Spanish.
- #006
Although it was initially sold as a Walt Disney Pictures film, there were concerns over underage drinking, mild nudity and language. It was later marketed and released through Disney's Touchstone Pictures division.
- #007
When the Harveys finally dock, one of the stacked boats is named "My Way." My Way was one of Paul Anka's biggest hits and was performed by Frank Sinatra. Paul Anka plays the boat salesman.
- #008
Rick Moranis was asked to play Martin Harvey but declined because he had too many responsibilities and was raising his children as a single father after his wife's recent death from cancer. His SCTV colleague Martin Short took the role instead.
- #009
According to John Dwyer, one of the film's screenwriters, Martin Short was originally going to play Captain Ron and Kurt Russell was going to play the family father, but Short and Russell got drunk one night and decided to switch roles.
- #010
Kurt Russell enjoyed working with Martin Short so much that when he learned Short's wife had died, he arranged for a store full of flowers he had bought himself to be delivered to Short.
- #011
The "St. Haag Yacht Club" in the docking and board game scene was shot at Puerto del Rey Marina in Fajardo on the east coast of Puerto Rico. The "yacht club" building is the Dock Center, built on pilings (of course) roughly in the middle of the marina docks and connecting the main pier.
- #012
The "Wanderer" is actually a Formosa 51 Ketch. Three separate boats were reportedly used during the filming.
- #013
In the DVD commentary for Big Trouble in Little China (1986), John Carpenter and Kurt Russell repeatedly joke about and mock this film amid fits of laughter.
- #014
The harbor and coastline where the Wanderer is first shown and Captain Ron first appears are located at Bahia de Arroyo on the southeast coast of Puerto Rico.
- #015
The script was written with Chevy Chase in mind to play Martin. Billy Crystal, Steve Martin, John Ritter, John Candy and Richard Dreyfuss were also considered for Martin.
- #016
It is one of three films in which Kurt Russell wears an eye patch; the other two are Escape from New York (1981) and Escape from L.A. (1996), in which he plays Snake Plissken.
- #017
In the scene in the San Pomme de Terre justice of the peace's office, there is a potato on the justice of the peace's desk.
- #018
Captain Ron's "glass eye" is a different color from his right eye. Kurt Russell's eyes are also blue in real life.
- #019
It was the first feature film for Roselyn Sanchez, Meadow Sisto and Benjamin Salisbury.
- #020
It was Kurt Russell's idea to dress his character as Snake Plissken in the film.
- #021
Tom Arnold and Jeff Bridges were considered for the role of Captain Ron. Bridges had other commitments, and Arnold was ruled out because he had little film acting experience at the time and was committed to Roseanne (1988), where he had a recurring role while married to Roseanne Barr.
- #022
The musical trio Grupo WAO, whose name appears in the film's credits, can be seen at Caroline and her family's festival gathering. At 1:10:08 (NTSC) they are dancing in a line directly behind Caroline and Martin. Caroline shouts "You guys!" to signal the group behind them to stop so she can talk to her family. The film's credits list the musical numbers as "Besito en la Boquita".
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