Beautiful photography, fabulous costumes, fast-paced. Classy (although old-fashioned) orchestrated musical score. These qualities are worth a look, but can't save the film.
When you consider that Colman is badly miscast, you must admire the fact that everything he does here is sheer acting technique. He certainly was a hard-working and skillful actor. Marlene Dietrich is cast as a "Greek Princess" visiting Baghdad but the blond German is no more believable as a Greek than as an Arab. She obviously could not dance but was savvy enough to deliver a sexy quasi-dance routine that makes you wonder what she could have done if not for censorship.
Arnold's laughing villain leaves you scratching your head wondering if this movie is serious or tongue-in-cheek or just a stage musical without songs. The other supporting cast members are so miscast as to be painful to watch (especially Craig and Joy Page).
Watchable for stunning photography and costumes, the likes of which will probably never be produced again.
When you consider that Colman is badly miscast, you must admire the fact that everything he does here is sheer acting technique. He certainly was a hard-working and skillful actor. Marlene Dietrich is cast as a "Greek Princess" visiting Baghdad but the blond German is no more believable as a Greek than as an Arab. She obviously could not dance but was savvy enough to deliver a sexy quasi-dance routine that makes you wonder what she could have done if not for censorship.
Arnold's laughing villain leaves you scratching your head wondering if this movie is serious or tongue-in-cheek or just a stage musical without songs. The other supporting cast members are so miscast as to be painful to watch (especially Craig and Joy Page).
Watchable for stunning photography and costumes, the likes of which will probably never be produced again.