Dancing Pirate
Dancing Pirate | |
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![]() Poster | |
Directed by | Lloyd Corrigan |
Produced by |
Merian C. Cooper (executive producer) John Speaks (producer) |
Written by |
Ray Harris (screenplay) and Francis Edward Faragoh (screenplay) Jack Wagner (adaptation) and Boris Ingster (adaptation) Emma-Lindsay Squier (story) |
Starring | See below |
Music by |
Alfred Newman Richard Rodgers & Lorenz Hart (songs) |
Cinematography | William V. Skall |
Edited by | Archie Marshek |
Distributed by | RKO Pictures |
Release dates | May 22, 1936 |
Running time | 83 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Dancing Pirate is a 1936 American musical comedy film directed by Lloyd Corrigan. It is the third film shot in the three strip Technicolor process and the first musical in that format. Produced by the makers of Becky Sharp, the film was based on the December 1930 Colliers Magazine story Glorious Buccaneer by Emma-Lindsay Squier[1] a serious and action filled romance that may have been inspired by the story of Joseph Chapman.[2][3] The film features the debut of stage star Charles Collins and the cast includes Rita Hayworth as one of The Royal Cansino Dancers. Other dancers in the film were Pat Nixon and Marjorie Reynolds.
Plot summary
Set in Boston the in 1820s, the film tells of dancing teacher Jonathan Pride, shanghaied by pirates and forced to be a slave aboard his own ship. Jonathan is able to join a provisioning party that lands on the coast of California, then a part of the Spanish Empire where he makes his escape; his only possessions being his umbrella and music box that he uses for his dancing lessons.
He is seen by a shepherd who warns the nearest town whose excitable population transform Jonathan's arrival into a full-fledged pirate invasion. The Alcade Don Emilio Perena leads the militia into shooting up their own town whilst Jonathan is later captured in the boudoir of Alcade's daughter Serafina. Jonathan is sentenced to death.
When Serafina and the women of the town discover Jonathan's profession of dancing teacher, his execution is delayed until he teaches the waltz to the women of the town.
Meanwhile, Serafina's suitor, Don Balthazar a Captain of the Guards of the Presidio of Monterey and some of his soldiers visit the town to not only marry Serafina, but unbeknownst to the town has been cashiered from the Army along with his men who seek to loot the town. Don Balthazar also plans on secretly executing his rival Jonathan.
Jonathan makes his escape and motivates the local downtrodden but peaceful Indians into an uprising through a teaching them a torrid war dance. The Indians use their only "weapons" their lassoes to capture the former soldiers now bandits. Don Balthazar challenges Jonathan to a duel with swords but Jonathan defeats and captures him with his umbrella and his dancing skills.
Cast
- Charles Collins as Jonathan Pride
- Frank Morgan as Mayor Don Emilio Perena
- Steffi Duna as Serafina Perena
- Luis Alberni as Pamfilo (the Jailer)
- Victor Varconi as Don Balthazar (Monterey Captain of the Guards)
- Jack La Rue as Lt. Chago (Baltazar's Aide)
- Alma Real as Blanca (Serafina's Maid)
- William V. Mong as Tecolote (Old Indian)
- Mitchell Lewis as Pirate Chief
- Julian Rivero as Shepherd
- John Eberts as Mozo
- The Royal Cansino Dancers as Dancers
- Rita Hayworth as Specialty Dancer (uncredited)
Soundtrack
- Charles Collins, Steffi Duna and chorus - "When You're Dancing the Waltz" (By Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart)
- Steffi Duna - "Are You My Love?" (Music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Lorenz Hart)
Notes
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dancing Pirate. |
- Dancing Pirate at the American Film Institute Catalog
- Dancing Pirate at the Internet Movie Database
- Dancing Pirate is available for free download at the Internet Archive
- Original Colliers Magazine story