Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow is not the only movie pirate to swashbuckle his way into film fame. Although there are many actors who have played pirate roles, my favorites are Errol Flynn, Tyrone Power, Gene Kelly, Burt Lancaster, Kevin Kline and Geena Davis.

In Captain Blood, dashing Errol Flynn portrays a surgeon accused of treason who became a slave and then a pirate. Based on a novel by Rafael Sabatini, this lively 1935 movie marked the first pairing of Flynn with lovely Olivia de Havilland. Yes, I admit seeing the original release as a young child (!) -- but I’ve also watched the film as an adult and still find it a rousing adventure with great chemistry between the co-stars.     

Handsome Tyrone Power donned pirate garb for The Black Swan, a  beautiful 1942 technicolor movie. He looked terrific, and I loved his spirited banter with fiery redhead Maureen O’Hara, who played the damsel in distress Power sets out to rescue.

Although Gene Kelly’s character is a circus clown and not really the dreaded “Mack the Black of the Caribbean,” he pretends to be this notorious pirate in order to win over spunky Judy Garland in The Pirate (1948). Directed with great artistry by Vincente Minnelli, this Cole Porter musical is one of the most gorgeous movies ever made, as far as I’m concerned. And, oh such glorious singing and dancing!

Burt Lancaster displays his amazing acrobatic talent in The Crimson Pirate (1952), a film featuring lots of slapstick and swordplay. This one is a real treat for Lancaster fans.

Channeling both Errol Flynn and Danny Kaye, Kevin Kline wowed me big time with his portrayal of the Pirate King in The Pirates of Penzance (1983). This film adaptation of the famous Gilbert and Sullivan operetta is superb entertainment. Linda Ronstadt and Angela Lansbury also lend their considerable talents to the production -- but Kline steals the show because of his terrific comic flair and enthusiastic performance.     

 Finally, was I the only one who enjoyed Geena Davis in Cutthroat Island (1995)? Playing Morgan Adams, a female pirate who races to find a secret island and, of course, its treasure, Davis was panned almost universally for this movie. I, on the other hand, feel she brought authority and charisma to the role -- similar to her work on TV’s Commander in Chief, only she seemed to be having a lot more fun.