Description
Film adaptation of the operetta by the same name. An American is working as the clandestine leader of a group of African natives as they fight against Arabia. Features musical numbers Riff Song, Romance, The Desert Song, One Flower, One Alone, Gay Parisie… More >>
#1 by Rosella Ann Myles on May 8, 2010 - 7:59 pm
Katheryn Grayson and Joel Mcrea are delightful in this musical.
It’s romantic with some great songs and costu,es. It has the lovely desert scenes. It’s a must see musical film to see over and over.
Rating: 5 / 5
#2 by Al Nelson on May 8, 2010 - 9:09 pm
The movie version of “The Desert Song,” with Gordon MacRae and Kathryn Grayson, is an okay musical movie, but in many significant respects it bears only a passing resemblance to the stage version. Having participated in the chorus of a high school production of Desert Song in 1953, I was very much disappointed in the movie.
The name of the female lead in the stage version is Margot Bonvalet, and the name of her opposite number is Pierre Birabeau, son of the French General. The name of his rival for the affections of Margot is Paul Fontaine. Pierre is portrayed as a weak, indecisive individual. However, he also masquerades as The Red Shadow, leader of the Riffs, a group resisting the French colonial government.
The movie distorts these relationships by making Margot the daughter of the General and eliminating Paul Fontaine altogether. Unfortunately, the important and amusing musical byplay between Paul, Pierre, and Margot also vanishes.
Ali ben Ali and Sid El Kar, who sing “Let Love Come As Some Rare Treasure” and “If One Flower Grows Alone In Your Garden” are absent, as is the scene where they sing those selections and Pierre responds with one of the great love songs of American musical theater, “One Alone.”
The rousing chorus numbers when the French troops return home are absent, as is any evidence of the treachery of Azuri, the native girl who is in love with The Red Shadow.
The movie version is passable entertainment for one unfamiliar with the stage version, but it is a pale shadow of the stage masterpiece.
Rating: 1 / 5
#3 by P. Lehman on May 8, 2010 - 9:55 pm
I saw “The Desert Song” when it was first released. I am a fan of Gordan MacRae and Kathryn Grayson. If you like light opera and romantic story settings this is great. The one thing I didn’t like is it is not on DVD. My VHS copy was very good, however. It’s a collector’s item for sure.
Rating: 5 / 5
#4 by fairlind on May 9, 2010 - 12:44 am
This is an old operetta made into a musical. This may be a loss to operetta fans, but the cinematography and sheer chemistry between the protagonists more than makes up for the name changes or the loss of some of the old musical numbers and double entendres.
Now how about a DVD?
Rating: 5 / 5
#5 by Richard E. Hanson on May 9, 2010 - 2:09 am
I love old musicals and think Gordon MacRae was one of the greatest singers of all times. I have quite a collection of these, including an out-of-print copy of “Deep In My Heart,” the story of Sigmund Romberg’s career. I also have “The Student Prince.” This movie, “The Desert Song,” was really fun to watch and filled with great music. The acting of some of these old singers is not as great as their singing, but if you like the old musicals the way I do, this is one of the best. My only regret is that so many of them are only available on VHS and have not been made into DVD format.
Rating: 5 / 5