Review of The Pirate (1948) by Bob V — 20 Jan 2011

Energetic musical starring Kelly and Garland. The dance numbers are quite flashy and "Macoco" almost jumps at you from the screen, but the romantic duets and ballads are a let-down.

Considering the state she was in during filming (missing 99 out of 135 shooting days due to "illness", she was unceremoniously kicked out by big boss Mayer after this film) Garland delivers a good performance, though it's not the Judy we remember from "Meet me in St. Louis" any more. I could just be imagining that due to hindsight, of course.

Kelly is charming, almost smarmy, as always and dashes left, slides right, fast-talking all the way and flashing his pearlies. It's enough to make you wonder if he got into Judy's medicine cabinet.

The duo certainly has chemistry, too much even, at least to the tastes of MGM mogul L.B. Mayer. Originally there was supposed to be a song called "Voodoo" halfway, but when L.B. saw the rushes, he became furious to see his family friendly star with the pristine image (ironic, indeed) thrusting and grinding her hips against Kelly. Though no one's ever seen the footage, it was supposedly hot hot hot enough to cause the whole song being cut & replaced, and it is said to have been the final nail in Garland's coffin. The footage itself was destroyed, according to some Mayer had it burned, though a more plausible story circulates telling of its destruction in an MGM vault fire. For those interested enough, some of the audio for the song is still in existence and has become a favourite track for many Judy fans.