The Pirate [DVD] [1948]

Manuela (a very cute-looking Judy Garland), lives in the small Caribbean village of Calvados, and dreams of being abducted by a legendary pirate - Mack "the Black" Macoco. Her aunt and uncle however have matched her with the overbearing, portly, town mayor Don Pedro (the excellent Walter Slezak).

Immediately prior to her wedding to the mayor, Manuela visits nearby Port Sebastian, when a traveling circus arrives in town, led by the dashing Serafin (Gene Kelly - looking very handsome). While flirting with all the local girls - calling them all Nina, he explains that as he's so popular with ladies everywhere, he calls all of them this to avoid being in the position of forgetting their names!

Cue the number, `Nina', replete with sharp and funny lyrics by the great Cole Porter - along with Lorenz Hart, the wittiest lyricist of the 20th century. In the song he manages to rhyme the name `Nina' (pronounced 'Neen-ya') with `seen ya', `gardenia', `schizophrenia' and, I kid you not `neurasthenia'! Upon noticing Manuela, however, Serafin falls immediately in love. Initially she spurns his advances, but it's Gene Kelly, turning in a charming, irresistible performance and pretty soon she succumbs. However, there's still the problem of her forthcoming marriage to Don Pedro...

Whenever the great musicals are mentioned this barely gets a look-in; indeed upon release, the film was a massive financial flop. However it has a lot going for it, not least of which are the performances of the two leads. Admittedly it is extremely light on songs, featuring just five numbers penned by Mr. Porter - `Be a Clown', `You Can Do No Wrong', `Mack the Black', `Love of my Life' and the aforementioned `Nina' - and this is probably a crucial factor.

The final number of the movie `Be a Clown' is the show-stopper of the whole film, featuring an acrobatic dance routine by Kelly and the Nicholas brothers. Both the melody and lyrical theme were shamefully stolen for `Singin' in the Rain' where it re-surfaced as `Make `em Laugh'. Apparently Cole Porter wasn't bothered about the obvious plagiarism. `The Pirate' appeared in the same year as the wonderful `Easter Parade' and was very much in its shadow - particularly when it came to the award ceremonies. As an aside, one interesting fact is Gene Kelly was originally going to play the lead in `EP', but due to prior commitments his role was taken by the more elegant Fred Astaire.

I greatly enjoyed the movie, admiring Gene's muscular and energetic approach to dance and the humour overlaying the whole enterprise. The transfer to disc was also very successful - this is a nice, vibrant print, although a previous reviewer found it a bit washed-out. It's certainly better that the shocking print of Astaire's `Royal Wedding' that's currently doing the rounds.

Largely forgotten, there is much to admire about `The Pirate', and if this sort of thing is your bag, I recommend you take a look at this minor gem from the golden age of musicals.

This film combines my two favourite stars of the period: Gene Kelly and Judy Garland. Both are absolutely fantastic in this as a romantic young woman about to married to an older man and a womanising actor. Garland's character has a secret obsession with a pirate while Kelly wants to impress her by imitating the legendary Mack the Black. With songs by Cole Porter and some brilliant dancing this film is one of my all time favourites.

Anyone who enjoys musicals with excellent dance routines will love this

This wonderful musical comedy parodies the swashbuckler, with terrific Cole Porter songs and outstanding performances by Gene Kelly and Judy Garland - his performance of "Nina" combines Porter's clever lyrics and Kelly's trademark athleticism. Walter Slezak as the villain is perfect, providing real menace along with wit, just as he did in the archetypal pirate movie, "The Spanish Main". The film is a treat from start to finish - truly the sort they don't make any more.