The Film Detective have been making physical media fans ecstatic with their deluxe Blu-ray releases over the last couple of years. These releases have come with restored classic films from all genres including horror, biography, drama, mystery, noir, sci-fi, and more.
The latest to get the deluxe treatment is the first dancing musical in 100% technicolor. That film is 1936's Dancing Pirate. In this day and age it is hard to believe there was ever a time when films in color was not a thing.
The film follows a dance teacher Johnathan Pride (Charles Collins) from Boston who is tricked into joining a band of pirates, which leads to him being fitted for a noose in California. He catches a break when the mayor's daughter (Steffi Duna) demands the hanging be postponed until he teaches her to waltz, but his problems are only beginning!
Dancing Pirate is a fun mix of comedy, swashbuckling adventure and romance complete with amazing dance numbers. No wonder the film was nominated for an Academy Award for "Best Dance Direction." Charles Collins is an amazing dancer right on a par with Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. I find it hard to believe he never made more of these dancing films.
While the cast may not be filled with Hollywood superstars, the film does have some nice actors you will no doubt have seen before. These include, Frank Morgan (The Wizard of Oz), Luis Alberni (Svengali), Julian Rivero (The Treasure of Sierra Madre) and also look for Rita Hayworth as one of The Royal Cansino Dancers.
The film has been transferred in 1080p in it's original 1.37:1 aspect ratio. The soundtrack is a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. No stretching of the picture here. That has become a real pet peeve of mine. We see TV shows and movies that were originally shot in full screen that are being stretched to fit the HD TVs now and it makes the picture look horrendous. I am glad The Film Detective restores the picture quality without trying to make film widescreen that were not intended to be so.
This new restoration is truly a miraculous one! When you compare this restoration to other copies online which are black and white. This Blu-ray copy put all those other ones to shame. The Film Detective have added some very cool bonus features on this releases take a look at what is included;
* Audio Commentary by Jennifer Churchill
This is a very good commentary Jennifer brings so much information about the film itself scandalous history about the waltz and other things in film.
* Glorious Pioneers: The Birth of Technicolor: An interview with author/historian David Pierce
Such an interesting 9 minute featurette about the birth of Technicolor. Defiantly a must see!
* Ambushed by Mediocrity: Remembering the Dancing Pirate
A very insightful interview with film producer/historian Michael Schlesinger
* Dancing Pirate Gallery
* Full color Booklet insert with a new essay from Jennifer Churchill
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While this film may not be Citizen Kane, it is a nice little escape film. With the awesome restoration and cool bonuses no classic film library is complete without this Film Detective Blu-ray release.
So if you love musicals or are a cinephile, I think you will defiantly be interested in Dancing Pirate. I highly recommend heading over to Amazon and order your copy of this gorgeous looking Blu-ray from The Film Detective.
Out of 4 Film Reels (4 being the Best) The Film Detective's Blu-ray of Dancing Pirate receives...
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