If I didn’t laugh I should be very annoyed. —Manuela On the island of Calvados in the 18th century, little orphan Manuela is all grown up and ready to be married off to a rich suitor. He is the rotund mayor, Don Pedro (Walter Slezak), but she (Judy Garland) dreams of being swept away by the handsome and dashing pirate, Mack “the Black” Macoco. Enter an acting troupe led by the wonderfully hammy Serafin (Gene Kelly), a hoofer dolled up with a chevron mustache and a John Barrymore wig. Serafin falls for Manuela and upon learning that she desires to be … Continue reading THE PIRATE