There aren't many films you can call pure entertainment, but The Pirate is certainly one of them. It takes a common plot line that is totally predictable, but it is so much fun to watch two of Hollywood's greatest musical actors together on screen that you don't care about the plot. Judy Garland is ravishing as the sheltered Manuela, who is doomed and forced to marry a man she doesn't love, Don Pedro. Then, along comes Gene Kelly as a two-bit actor who falls for Manuela and tricks her, along with the entire Caribbean village, into thinking he is the notorious pirate Macoco, AKA Mack the Black. Stylishly directed by Vincente Minnelli, and wonderfully choreographed, this is one of the better musicals during MGM's golden age of musical productions. Everything here is quite campy, especially Kelly's performance, which is so over the top and outrageous, you won't know whether to laugh or cringe. Take it as pure fun and entertainment. This is a great musical with some good numbers, phenomenal dancing, and two really good looking actors at the top of their game. The Pirate is so much fun.
Review of The Pirate
