The Desert Song (1929 film)
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| The Desert Song (1929) | |
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| Directed by | Roy Del Ruth |
| Written by | Harvey Gates Humphrey Pearson based on the play by Oscar Hammerstein II, Otto A. Harbach, Laurence Schwab and Frank Mandel |
| Starring | John Boles Carlotta King Myrna Loy Louise Fazenda Johnny Arthur Edward Martindel Jack Pratt |
| Cinematography | Barney McGill (Technicolor) |
| Editing by | Ralph Dawson |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
| Release date(s) | April 8, 1929 |
| Running time | 123 min. |
| Country |  United States |
| Language | English |
| IMDb profile | |
The Desert Song is a 1929 musical operetta film photographed partly in Technicolor. Although some of the songs from the show have been omitted, the film is otherwise virtually a duplicate of the stage production. It was based on the hit musical play by Sigmund Romberg and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and Otto Harbach, respectively. It opened at the Casino Theatre on Broadway on November 30, 1926 and ran for a very successful 465 performances [1].
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[edit] Film Plot
French General Birabeau has been sent to Morocco to root out and destroy the Riff, a band of Arab rebels, who threaten the safety of the French outpost in the Moroccan desert. Their dashing, daredevil leader is the mysterious "Red Shadow". Margot Bonvalet, a lovely, sassy French girl, is soon to be married at the fort to Birabeau's right-hand man, Captain Fontaine. Birabeau's son Pierre, in reality the Red Shadow, loves Margot, but pretends to be a milksop to preserve his secret identity. Margot tells Pierre that she secretly yearns to be swept into the arms of some bold, dashing sheik, perhaps even the Red Shadow himself. Pierre, as the Red Shadow, kidnaps Margot and declares his love for her.
To her surprise, Margot's mysterious abductor treats her with every Western consideration. When the Red Shadow comes face to face with General Birabeau, the old man challenges the rebel leader to a duel. Of course Pierre will not kill his own father, so he refuses to fight, losing the respect of the Riff. Azuri, the sinuous and secretive native dancing girl, might be persuaded to answer some of these riddles if only she can be persuaded by Captain Fontaine. Meanwhile, two other characters, Benny (a reporter) and Susan provide comic relief. Eventually, the Red Shadow's identity is discovered, a deal is struck with the Riff, and Pierre and Margot live happily ever after.
[edit] Pre-Code Sequences
After 1935, the original 1929 version became illegal to view or exhibit in the United States due to its Pre-Code content which included sexual innuendo, lewd suggestive humor and open discussion of themes such as homosexuality (e.g. Johnny Arthur plays a character who is obviously gay). Consequently, a cleaned-up version was made in 1943 and again in 1953.
[edit] Songs
Act One
- Riff Song
- French Marching Song
- Then You Will Know
- The Desert Song
- Azuri's Dance
Act Two
- Love's Dear Yearning
- Song of the Brass Key
- Let Love Go
- One Flower
- One Alone
- Sabre Song
[edit] Preservation
The film exists only in a black and white copy. The film elements are missing from a small portion of one of the musical numbers but the complete soundtrack survives intact on Vitaphone disks.
