Thu 6/2 @ 7PM
The 1948 film, The Pirate, featured Judy Garland and Gene Kelly, which alone should pique interest among movie musical buffs. Vincente Minnelli directed and Cole Porter wrote the tunes. But the big budget, Technicolor extravaganza failed to recoup its cost.
Maybe it was just a little TOO much. Garland plays a Latina ingénue (which would be controversial today) on an unnamed Caribbean island, who has been promised in marriage to the town’s nasty mayor but has a crush on dashing pirate of legend. A traveling circus arrives in town and its dashing leader falls in love with her and begs her to join his troupe. Complications ensue, of course, as affections shift and eventually the real identity of the pirate is revealed.
If you want to know more about this largely forgotten film join Bill Rudman, artistic director of The Musical Theater Project for its monthly Movies at Home. Start by watching Rudman’s intro on YouTube, then watch the film, available to buy or rent on Amazon Prime, Hulu, Sling TV, YouTube and Google Play.
Then join Bill on Zoom on Thursday June 2 @ 7pm to talk about what you saw. It’s free and open to all. No registration is required; just click on the link here.