The Desert Song (1929)
In the 1954 biopic Deep In My Heart, audiences got to hear the beautiful music of composer Sigmund Romberg, including his operetta The Desert Song. It might have tempted some folks to watch a version of the operetta, and die hard movie buffs might have wanted to try the 1929 version. But hear my warning: you will not like it. You can appreciate the music and John Boles’s beautiful voice, but you can’t actually like it. Not only is the only version available in pretty poor condition (it’s almost 100 years old after all), but it feels like a taped live performance during which all the actors are straining to reach the back row with every line. They don’t always shout, mind you, but the delivery and facial expressions are extremely over-the-top. The production values are that of a silent movie, and the libretto is very stage-y (and understandably so).
If you do sit through it, it’s because John Boles is your favorite actor of all time and you believe he can do no wrong, even as a Moroccan bandit. You love silent Arabian adventures, and your idea of a fun night out is to go to a Gilbert and Sullivan show or a campy melodrama where the pasted mustaches fall of the villain’s faces halfway through Act One. Really, folks. You can watch the 1943 or 1953 versions that are a little more geared towards film audiences.
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thanks "simon shwimer" for posting!
More Myrna Loy movies here!
If you do sit through it, it’s because John Boles is your favorite actor of all time and you believe he can do no wrong, even as a Moroccan bandit. You love silent Arabian adventures, and your idea of a fun night out is to go to a Gilbert and Sullivan show or a campy melodrama where the pasted mustaches fall of the villain’s faces halfway through Act One. Really, folks. You can watch the 1943 or 1953 versions that are a little more geared towards film audiences.
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thanks "simon shwimer" for posting!
More Myrna Loy movies here!