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The Black Swan Overview:

The Black Swan (1942) was a Action - Adventure Film directed by Henry King and produced by Robert Bassler and Darryl F. Zanuck.

The film was based on the novel of the same name written by Rafael Sabatini published in 1932.

SYNOPSIS

After receiving the governorship of Jamaica, former pirate Henry Morgan - now Sir Henry Morgan - dispatches his able first mate James Waring to dispense of his former henchman, the redheaded villain, Captain Billy Leech. In the process, Waring, also a pirate turned King's loyal subject, abducts Margaret Denby, a young woman of aristocratic bearing, whom he takes along on his pursuit. But Margaret will not be trifled with, and she fights him tooth and nail up until Waring's final battle with Leech - a battle that changes the way Margaret feels about her captor.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

Academy Awards 1942 --- Ceremony Number 15 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best CinematographyLeon ShamroyWon
Best Music - ScoringAlfred NewmanNominated
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The Black Swan BlogHub Articles:

The Black Swan (1942)

By 4 Star Film Fan on Mar 19, 2019 From 4 Star Films

If you make your way to this swashbuckler you’ll find a movie set in The Spanish Main as England has just brokered a peace treaty with their imperialistic competitors. As you probably already surmised, you might as well leave your textbooks on maritime history at home because there’s no ... Read full article

The Black Swan (1942)

By Cameron on Dec 5, 2016 From The Blonde At The Film

via: http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/68945/The-Black-Swan/#tcmarcp-1004289-1004290  Unless otherwise noted, all images are my own. Swash, swash! Buckle, buckle! It’s time for pirate ships and dashing rascals in The Black Swan (1942). That handsome box office champion Tyrone Power plays a rakis... Read full article

The Black Swan (1942)

on Sep 10, 2014 From Journeys in Classic Film

After watching and enjoying Captain Blood, I wanted to watch another swashbuckler and see if it’s a one size fits all genre.  While there’s some dubious treatment of the ladies in this movie, Tyrone Power and Maureen O’Hara are a scorching pair who elevate this campy pirate advent... Read full article

The Black Swan (1942)

By Beatrice on Sep 5, 2014 From Flickers in Time

The Black Swan Directed by Henry King Written by Ben Hecht and Seton I. Miller from the novel by Raphael Sabatini 1942/USA Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation First viewing/Netflix rental The pictures I am posting do not do justice to the Technicolor glory that is this swashbuckler. When pirat... Read full article

Power-mad for THE BLACK SWAN (1942)

By Aurora on May 5, 2014 From Once Upon a Screen

“Long live the action movies of days gone by.” – Maureen O’Hara ◊ Centered on the swashbuckling lore of piracy on the high seas comes a motion picture that takes your breath away.  From 20th Century Fox Film Corporation, based on Rafael Sabatini’s 1932 novel, it&#821... Read full article

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The Black Swan Quotes:

Jamie: Waring is my name, but those who love me, call me Jamie Boy!
[newly-appointed governor of Jamaica Sir Henry Morgan, Jamie Waring, and Tommy Blue arrive at the seemingly deserted Government House]
Jamie: The occasion seems a little lacking in enthusiasm, Henry.
Capt. Sir Henry Morgan: I imagined we'd meet with some slight disapproval.
Tom 'Tommy' Blue: At least we don't have to shoot our way in.
Jamie: Please, do me a favor and don't make me angry! I'm trying my hardest to behave like a gentleman.
Lady Margaret Denby: A gentleman?
Jamie: Well, perhaps not entirely.
Jamie: You can lower your pistols, Lady Margaret.
Lady Margaret Denby: Unfortunately, I have no pistols.
Jamie: Your eyes. I've looked into pistol barrels that are warmer.
Tom Blue: By land or by sea, you can always rely on Tom Blue for wrong doin' of any nature!
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The Black Swan Facts
Although it is supposed to be based on Rafael Sabatini's novel "The Black Swan", in fact the story is completely original, and the only character retained from the original novel is the historical personage Henry Morgan.
The original ending was scrapped and a new one shot so that the film would pass the censor. The original ending had both Tyrone Power's and Maureen O'Hara's character jumping into the sea.
Three of the cast-members in "The Black Swan" won Supporting Actor Oscars at some point in their careers: Thomas Mitchell for Stagecoach, George Sanders for All About Eve, and Anthony Quinn for both Viva Zapata! and Lust for Life.
To help out the war effort, the actors tried hard to keep the number of takes low so as to conserve film. Roughly thirty of the scenes were done in one take.
The ship in the picture was also used in the films That Hamilton Woman, The Princess and the Pirate and Captain Kidd.
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