The Black Swan

Tyrone Power was one of the top leading men at 20th Century Fox when the studio refashioned him into a swashbuckling hero in the Errol Flynn mode. In 1942's The Black Swan—Power's first turn as a buccaneer—he brings to the role a bit of flashy arrogance and brooding seriousness (which Power excelled at, although he was not known for his physical derring-do). Renegade Jamie Waring (Power) reluctantly gives up the outlaw life to serve as the right hand to Capt. Henry Morgan (Laird Cregar), a former pirate king appointed by Britain to be governor of Jamaica. Maureen O'Hara is all flashing eyes and furious temper as Jamie's love interest, Lady Margaret Denby, but there is little electricity visible when Powell and O'Hara collide. Based on a novel by Rafael Sabatini (inspired in part by real-life pirate Sir Henry Morgan), director Henry King's production is a poor cousin to other Sabatini adaptations such as The Sea Hawk and Captain Blood in terms of both action and romantic heat, but what Technicolor glory! Ships set sail against luminous skylines and battle in a riot of indigos and crimsons with flourishes of gold. The intricate model vessels in the scenes of high-seas combat are a testament to old Hollywood craft, and the lively cast features some of Hollywood's most memorable supporting players (including George Sanders and Thomas Mitchell). Making its gorgeous-looking Blu-ray debut, extras here include audio commentary by O'Hara and film historian Rudy Behlmer. Good fun for fans of classic adventure movies, this is recommended, overall. (S. Axmaker)