Cinematheque: Vincente Minnelli

Minnelli described this overlooked musical as “highly colored, as theatrical as possible, flamboyant, swirling, and larger than life.” Cole Porter’s songs heighten this over-the-top version of Fairbanks/Flynn-brand swashbuckling. Gene Kelly stars as the daredevil pirate “Mack the Black” cavorting over, under and through the lush set and clowning around with the fabulous Nicholas Brothers. Judy Garland as Manuela yearns for the unbridled brigand. USA, 1948, 35mm, color, 102 min.