KISMET 1955

Kismet
MGM, 1955, Color, 113 minutes, ***
Released October, 1955

A glorious tune-filled story of a vagabond poet, his daughter and the colorful city of ancient Baghdad, starring Howard Keel, Ann Blyth and Sebastian Cabot. Score includes "Stranger In Paradise." Look for Jamie Farr (Klinger from M*A*S*H) in the cast!

Light-hearted comical version of the original story -- beautifully filmed with beautiful sets and costumes. Howard Keel plays the Poet eloquently and with a good deal of comedy, some of which is quite witty. It's a fun film, though more recent events seem to have tainted our image of Baghdad somewhat. Needless to say, a modern film set in Baghdad would have a much different look and feel.


Produced by: Arthur Freed
Directed by: Vincente Minnelli
Assistant Director: William Shanks
Screen Play by: Charles Lederer and Luther Davis
Adapted from the Musical Play "Kismet," Book by Charles Lederer and Luther Davis founded on "Kismet" by Edward Knoblock
Music and Lyrics by: Robert Wright and George Forrest
Music adapted from Themes of Alexander Borodin
Music Supervised and Conducted by: André Previn and Jeff Alexander
Orchestral Arrangements by: Conrad Salinger, Alexander Courage and Arthur Morton
Musical Numbers and Dances Staged by: Jack Cole
Vocal Supervision: Robert Tucker
Art Directors: Cedric Gibbons and Preston Ames
Set Decorations: Edwin B. Willis, Keogh Gleason
Costumes by: Tony Duquette
Hair Styles by: Sydney Guilaroff
Make-Up Created by: William Tuttle
Recording Supervisor: Dr. Wesley C. Miller
Director of Photography: Joseph Ruttenberg
Special Effects: Warren Newcombe
Filmed in CinemaScope and Eastman Color
Color Consultant: Charles K. Hagedon
Film Editor: Adrienne Fazan
Released October, 1955

Cast: Howard Keel [Haaj, the Poet], Ann Blyth [Marsinah], Dolores Gray [Lalume], Vic Damone [Caliph], Monty Woolley [Omar], Sebastian Cabot [Wazir], Jay C. Flippen [Jawan], Mike Mazurki [Chief Policeman], Jack Elam [Hassan-Ben], Ted de Corsia [Police Subaltern], Additional Cast: Reiko Sato, Patricia Dunn, Wonci Lui [Princesses of Aba Bu], Julie Robinson [Zubbediya], Jamie Farr [Orange Merchant], Dee Turnell [Girl in harem]

Musical Program: [0:00] Overture: "Stranger in Paradise" (played by Orchestra behind titles); [0:03] Rhymes Have I (just a few bars sung by Howard Keel); [0:08] Fate (sung by Howard Keel); [0:15] Fate (continued by Howard Keel); [0:15] unidentified instrumental (short excerpt danced by Chorus in market); [0:19] Dance of the Three Princesses of Aba Bu (short excerpt danced by Reiko Sato, Patricia Dunn and Wonci Lui); [0:20] Not Since Nineveh (sung by Dolores Gray and Chorus, danced by the Princesses of Aba Bu and their escorts); [0:31] Baubles, Bangles, and Beads (sung by Ann Blyth and Chorus); [0:40] Stranger in Paradise (sung by Ann Blyth and Vic Damone); [0:49] Gesticulate (sung by Howard Keel, Dolores Gray and Harem Girls); [1:01] Bored (sung by Dolores Gray); [1:08] Fate (continued by Howard Keel, danced by Harem Girls); [1:10] Night of My Nights (sung by Vic Damone and Chorus, danced by Chorus); [1:16] The Olive Tree (sung by Howard Keel); [1:22] Rahadlakum (sung by Dolores Gray and Howard Keel); [1:31] And This Is My Beloved (sung by Ann Blyth and Vic Damone with a little help from Howard Keel); [1:40] Dance of the Three Princesses of Aba Bu (danced by Reiko Sato, Patricia Dunn and Wonci Lui); [1:51] The Sands of Time (sung by Howard Keel)