The Pirate

Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter
Screenplay by Albert Hackett and Frances Goodrich, based on S. N. Behrman's play

A Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Release
(June 1948; 102 minutes; Color)
Produced by Arthur Freed
Directed by Vincente Minnelli
Choreography by Robert Alton and Gene Kelly
Photography by Harry Stradling
Art Direction: Cedric Gibbons and Jack Martin Smith
Music Direction by Lennie Hayton
Instrumental Arrangements by Conrad Salinger
Vocal Arrangements by Robert Tucker

Synopsis

On the Caribbean Island of San Sebastian in the 1820s, young Manuela fantasizes about the notorious pirate Macoco, better known as "Mack the Black."  Serafin, a strolling minstrel, falls in love with Manuela, and tries to win her heart by impersonating Macoco.  Meanwhile, Don Pedro, the mayor of the town and Manuela's fiance by arrangement, schemes against Serafin, who nonetheless persists in his charade, boldly demanding that the town hand Manuela over to him lest he unloose his fierce pirates.  Manuela discovers his fraud, however, and a knock-down, drag-out fight between the fiery lovers takes place while they sing/shout "Love of My Life."  To his peril, Serafin learns that Don Pedro is really Macoco incognito; Manuela, however, has never known this and is by now hopelessly in love with the street performer.  Eventually, she joins his troupe of players, ending the film with a reprise of "Be a Clown".

Cast

Judy Garland (Manuela)
Gene Kelly (Serafin)
Walter Slezak (Don Pedro Vargas)
Gladys Cooper (Aunt Inez)
Reginald Owen (The Advocate)
George Zucco (The Viceroy)
Lester Allen (Uncle Capucho)
and the Nicholas Brothers

Musical Numbers
 

• "Mack the Black" - Manuela
• "Nina" - Serafin
• "Love of My Life" - Manuela
• Pirate Ballet (instrumental; written by C. Porter, R. Edens and C. Salinger)
• "You Can Do No Wrong" - Manuela
• "Be a Clown" - Serafin and Manuela
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   

Cut Songs

• "Voodoo" [recorded by Judy Garland but dropped during production]
• "Manuela" [unused]
• "Martinique" [unused]

Soundtrack Recordings

"Be a Clown" - Gene Kelly & Judy Garland

• 78 RPM, 1948 [MGM 30097]

"Love of My Life" / "You Can Do No Wrong" - Judy Garland

• 78 RPM, 1948 [MGM 30098]

"Nina" - Gene Kelly / "Mack the Black" - Judy Garland

• 78 RPM, 1948 [MGM 30099]

The Pirate - Original Soundtrack Recording

Remastered Version with Bonus Tracks

Selections

• Title Music
• History of the Pirate
• "Nina"
• The Sea Wall
• "Mack the Black"
• Manuela's Sacrifice
• The Pirate Ballet
• "You Can Do No Wrong"
• "Be a Clown"
• "Love of My Life"
• "Be a Clown" (Finale)
• "Voodoo" [cut song]
• "Love of My Life" [alternate version]

Fully Restored with Bonus Tracks
Liner notes by John Fricke

Selections

• Main Title ("Mack the Black")
• "Niņa"
• "Mack the Black"
• "Love of My Life" (outtake)
• Pirate Ballet
• "You Can Do No Wrong"
• "Be a Clown"
• "Love of My Life" (reprise)
• "Be a Clown" (finale)
• "Mack the Black" (unused version)
• "Papayas/Seraphin's March" (partial demo)
• "Voodoo" (outtake)
• "Manuela" (demo)
• "Voodoo" (demo)
• "Niņa" (demo)
• "You Can Do No Wrong" (demo)
• "Be a Clown" (demo)
• Judy Garland interview with Dick Simmons
• Gene Kelly interview with Dick Simmons