Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has placed two additional Blu-ray releases, culled from its extensive classic film librar,y on its November release calendar.   Last week it was Tennessee Lady (Nov. 10) and Mortal Storm (Nov. 3), both making their respective debuts on Blu-ray … this week we begin with the Nov. 24 Blu-ray debut of director Vincente Millelli’s 1948 Technicolor film adaptation of Ludwig Fulda’s 1911 stage play, The Pirate.

Fulda’s play had been updated for Broadway in 1942, but not as a musical, but as a comedy starring Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne.   MGM acquired the rights, but was prohibited — as part of the deal — from doing anything with the property until it had completed its Broadway run.   It was anticipated that 1944 would be the earliest start date.

However, a couple of things happened, first World War II, which reshuffled the production schedule at the studio, eliminating the likes of Cary Grant and Greer Garson as the potential leads, and secondly, the film was transformed into a musical.   

It is a wonder that it ever got completed, but production did finally begin in 1947, with Gene Kelly and Judy Garland cast in the leads, with original songs by none other than Cole Porter.   The problem with the filming of The Pirate was Garland, who was battling drug issues, which caused numerous delays in the production … but like a trooper, she was actually able to complete the film.   Indeed, her next film, also released in 1948, was Easter Parade, which was a theatrical blockbuster.

Bonus goodies for the Blu-ray release of The Pirate, which is a new 4K film restoration, include commentary from Garland biographer John Fricke, the 1948

Pete Smith short film titled, You Can’t Win, the 1947 Tom & Jerry cartoon, Cat Fishin, the making-of featurette titled “The Pirate: A Musical Treasure Chest” and more …

Also making a Blu-ray debut on Nov. 24 is director Jack Conway’s 1936 all-star comedy Libeled Lady, teaming William Powell and Myrna Loy — of The Thin Man fame — with Jean Harlow (who would be dead at the age of 26 the following year) and Spencer Tracy.

This is also a new 4K film restoration.   Bonus goodies include two classic short films — Keystone Hotel and New Shoes — and the 1936 MGM “Happy Harmonies” cartoon, Little Cheeser.