This wonderful, colourful MGM musical is something of a "sleeper" film. While Judy Garland's "The Wizard Of Oz" and "Meet Me In St Louis" are well-known and loved, and Gene Kelly's "Singin In The Rain" and "An American In Paris" are equally revered and adored, "The Pirate" slips under the radar. Why is it not better known? With great musical numbers, a witty script and endearing, humorous and very charismatic performances from the two stars, it SHOULD be talked about more often.
Garland (looking small and not entirely well, yet capable of producing gusto when needed!) plays the heroine Manuela, who is about to be married off to the rich mayor Don Pedro (Walter Slezak) of the fictional town of Calvados in the Caribbean. However, Manuela is not enthused about the marriage and instead dreams of being "taken off like a chickenhawk" by the legendary pirate Macoco. Enter travelling player Serafin (Gene Kelly), a charming, dashing, womanising entertainer who sees Manuela and instantly falls in love. Prepare for a wonderful, delightful ride as Kelly hypnotizes Garland, masquerades as Macoco, eventually reveals the REAL Macoco to Garland and the audience and wins his leading lady's heart by the end of the film! This lovely musical is an affectionate, yet sharp, send-up of the swashbucklers of Fairbanks, Barrymore and Flynn from (now and then)yesteryear. Garland and Kelly both give deliciously comic performances that are quite unlike the rest of their body of work. Kelly in particular is just wonderful, and both stars get to deliver great Cole Porter tunes. "Nina" is now one of my favourite Kelly numbers, "Mack The Black" has Garland in fine form and "Be A Clown" is just a classic tune. Minnelli's trademark exquisite use of Technicolour and expert stageing of the musical sequences, truly filmic and seemingly effortlessly integrated, is also on show here.
"The Pirate" is essentially about a young woman finding love whilst also being able to express herself. Manuela realises she doesn't really want to be "carried off like a chickenhawk" by a hulking pirate, nor does she want to be married to a rich man, surrounded by fine things, yet have no opinion or self-worth. She instead desires love where there is also mutual appreciation, support and fun. Kelly's Serafin offers her all those things, and the chance to be truly be herself. Any wonder why Manuela eventually falls for Serafin? Combine those elements with some fun supporting work from Slezak and Gladys Cooper and you have an excellent film that should be better known. Check it out!
Garland (looking small and not entirely well, yet capable of producing gusto when needed!) plays the heroine Manuela, who is about to be married off to the rich mayor Don Pedro (Walter Slezak) of the fictional town of Calvados in the Caribbean. However, Manuela is not enthused about the marriage and instead dreams of being "taken off like a chickenhawk" by the legendary pirate Macoco. Enter travelling player Serafin (Gene Kelly), a charming, dashing, womanising entertainer who sees Manuela and instantly falls in love. Prepare for a wonderful, delightful ride as Kelly hypnotizes Garland, masquerades as Macoco, eventually reveals the REAL Macoco to Garland and the audience and wins his leading lady's heart by the end of the film! This lovely musical is an affectionate, yet sharp, send-up of the swashbucklers of Fairbanks, Barrymore and Flynn from (now and then)yesteryear. Garland and Kelly both give deliciously comic performances that are quite unlike the rest of their body of work. Kelly in particular is just wonderful, and both stars get to deliver great Cole Porter tunes. "Nina" is now one of my favourite Kelly numbers, "Mack The Black" has Garland in fine form and "Be A Clown" is just a classic tune. Minnelli's trademark exquisite use of Technicolour and expert stageing of the musical sequences, truly filmic and seemingly effortlessly integrated, is also on show here.
"The Pirate" is essentially about a young woman finding love whilst also being able to express herself. Manuela realises she doesn't really want to be "carried off like a chickenhawk" by a hulking pirate, nor does she want to be married to a rich man, surrounded by fine things, yet have no opinion or self-worth. She instead desires love where there is also mutual appreciation, support and fun. Kelly's Serafin offers her all those things, and the chance to be truly be herself. Any wonder why Manuela eventually falls for Serafin? Combine those elements with some fun supporting work from Slezak and Gladys Cooper and you have an excellent film that should be better known. Check it out!