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The Pirates of Penzance
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Synopsis
Joseph Papp's notion of staging one of Gilbert and Sullivan's best-loved operettas with two pop singers (Linda Ronstadt and Rex Smith) in the leads paid off as a surprise Broadway smash in the early 1980s, and this film faithfully reproduces Papp's production, featuring most of the original cast and the original director. Frederic (Smith) has been taught since childhood to be a sea-going bandit by the Pirate King (Kevin Kline), but with his 21st birthday imminent, Frederic wants to leave pirating behind, especially after he becomes infatuated with innocent Mabel (Ronstadt). But the Pirate King informs Frederic that since he was born on the last day of February on a Leap Year, his 21st birthday won't roll around for some time yet, and he still owes the King some raiding on the high seas. To Frederic's embarrassment, the Pirate King's next target turns out to be Major General Stanley (George Rose), Mabel's father! The Pirates of Penzance also features Angela Lansbury as Ruth (the sole major casting change from the Broadway production -- Estelle Parsons played the role on stage). ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Cast

Tony Azito Sergeant
Kevin Kline The Pirate King
Angela Lansbury Ruth
Linda Ronstadt Mabel
George Rose Maj.-Gen. Stanley
Rex Smith Frederic

Production Crew

Alan Cassie Art Director
Ernest Archer Art Director
Graciela Daniele Choreography
Douglas Slocombe Cinematographer
Timothy Burrill Co-producer
Arthur Sullivan Composer (Music Score)
Gilbert & Sullivan Composer (Music Score)
William Elliott Composer (Music Score)
William Elliott Conductor
Tom Rand Costume Designer
Wilford Leach Director
Anne V. Coates Editor
Edward R. Pressman Executive Producer
Barry Langley First Assistant Director
Arthur Sullivan From Musical by
William S. Gilbert From Musical by
William Elliott Musical Arrangement
William Elliott Musical Direction/Supervision
Edward R. Pressman Producer
Joseph Papp Producer
Timothy Burrill Producer
Alan Cassie Production Designer
Elliot Scott Production Designer
Wilford Leach Screenwriter
Peter Howitt Set Designer
William Gilbert Songwriter
David Hildyard Sound/Sound Designer
Year: 1983
Runtime: 112
Country: USA
MPAA Rating: G
Category: Feature


Sound
Dolby

Produced by
MCA Entertainment
Universal