During Metro-Goldwyn-Mayerrsquo;s glory days; the studiorsquo;s famous Arthur Freed Unit made an extraordinary string of dazzling musicals. One of its very best was The Pirate. Based on a successful 1942 Broadway production; the film was directed by Vincente Minnelli and starred Gene Kelly and Judy Garland. It showcased some of the brightest work of these three gifted moviemakers and entranced many critics and viewers with exotic set deacute;cor and costumes; brilliant Technicolor application; stunning dance routines; and a clever plot about an actor who pretends to be a famous pirate to win the love of a fanciful island girl.The Cinematic Voyage of The Pirate: Kelly; Garland; and Minnelli at Work follows the model of Hess and Dabholkarrsquo;s previous study of Singinrsquo; in the Rain. Drawing on exhaustive research in archives; memoirs; interviews; and newspaper coverage; it takes the reader from the original conception of the story in the mind of a German playwright named Ludwig Fulda; through S. N. Behrmanrsquo;s Broadway production starring Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne; to the arduous task of crafting a suitable screenplay at MGM. Behind-the-scenes issues such as Garlandrsquo;s personal problems during the making of the film and the shaping of the film by Minnelli and Kelly are among the many subjects detailed here.While the initial reception of The Pirate reinforced hopes for its success; many audiences did not understand the filmrsquo;s tongue-in-cheek aspect; and some critical reviews were mixed. This shaded the perception of the film and its significance. As this careful study shows; The Pirate was a commercial and critical success despite some early misperceptions. The movie made a small profit for MGM; and the film grew in public appeal over time.
#4189609 in eBooks 2008-09-30 2014-07-14File Name: B00LHY946Y
Review
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. This Book Has Interesting Historical Information About The Santa Cruz Wharf.By WilliamThis book mentions that at 2475 foot long; the Santa Cruz Wharf remains the largest wooden wharf on the Pacific Ocean and in the coastal United States. In 1906; a massive fire destroyed the casino and the natorium in Santa Cruz. The Grand Opening of the Santa Cruz Wharf was on Saturday; December 5; 1914. The Miramar Fish Grotto started doing business in 1937. The storm damaged the Pleasure Pier in 1962. Later on in that year 1962; the Pleasure Pier was knocked down. Some of the pictures in this book include pictures of the following: Jane Russell in 1944; Carnigla Family members; Stagnaro Family members; Oliviardrsquo;s At The Wharf Restaurant; and the Grand Opening of the Wharf. Therersquo;s also an aerial picture of the Santa Cruz Wharf in the 1950rsquo;s decade.
