The Desert Song (1929 film)

Infobox Film
name = The Desert Song (1929)

---

producer =
director = Roy Del Ruth
writer = 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
music =
cinematography = Barney McGill
"(Technicolor)"
editing = Ralph Dawson
distributor = Warner Bros.
released = April 8, 1929
runtime = 123 min.
language = English
country = USA
imdb_id = 0019813|

"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 [ [http://www.musicaltheatreguide.com/composers/romberg/desert_song.htm Musical Theatre Guide] ] .

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.

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.

ongs

Act One
*Riff Song
*French Marching Song
*Then You Will Know
*The Desert Song
*Azuri's DanceAct Two
*Love's Dear Yearning
*Song of the Brass Key
*Let Love Go
*One Flower
*One Alone
*Sabre Song

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.

References