KISMET

Kismet
MGM, 1944, Color, 100 minutes
General release October, 1944

Lavish costume drama set in old Baghdad and starring Ronald Colman as a wily beggar who poses as a visiting ruler in order to wed his daughter, against her wishes, to a powerful but corrupt vizier. Marlene Dietrich, as the vizier's sexy wife, performs a memorable dance covered in gold body paint; with Edward Arnold, Joy Ann Page, James Craig.

Not a musical at all, but notable for Marlene Dietrich's dance number and as MGM's predecessor to the 1955 musical version. The 1911 stage play was produced on film twice before in 1920 and 1930.

Producer: Everett Riskin
Director: William Dieterle
Screenplay: John Meehan (based on the stage play by Edward Knoblock)
Musical Score: Herbert Stothart
Art Direction: Cedric Gibbons, Daniel B. Cathcart
Set Decoration: Edwin B. Willis
Special Effects: A. Arnold Gillespie and Warren Newcombe
Director of Photography: Charles Rosher
Film Editing: Ben Lewis

Awards: Academy Award nominations for Best Color Cinematography (Charles Rosher), Best Score - Drama or Comedy (Herbert Stothart), Best Interior Decoration - Color and Best Sound Recording

Cast: Ronald Colman [Hafiz], Marlene Dietrich [Jamilla], James Craig [Caliph], Edward Arnold [Mansur the Grand Vizier], Hugh Herbert [Feisal], Joy Page [Marsinah], Florence Bates [Karsha], Harry Davenport [Agha], Hobart Cavanaugh [Moolah], Robert Warwick [Alfife], Beatrice Kraft [Court Dancer], Evelyne Kraft [Court Dancer], Barry Macollum [Amu], Victor Kilian [Jehan], Charles Middleton [The Miser], Harry Humphrey [Gardener], Nestor Paiva [Captain of Police], Eve Whitney [Cafe Girl], Minerva Urecal [Retainer], Cy Kendall [Herald], Dan Seymour [Fat Turk], Dale Van Sickel [Assassin], Pedro de Cordoba [Meuzin], Roque Ybarra [Miser's Son], Joe Yule [Attendant], Morgan Wallace [Merchant], John Maxwell [Guard], Walter De Palma [Detective], Jimmy Ames [Major Domo], Charles La Torre [Alwah], Noble Blake [Nubian Slave], Anna Demetrio [Proprietress of Cafe], Mitchell Lewis [Sheik], Phiroz Nair [Nabout Fighter], Asit Ghosh [Nabout Fighter], Carmen D'Antonio [Specialty Dancer], Jessie Tai Sing, Zedra Conde, Barbara Glenz, Frances Ramsden [Cafe Girls], Charles Judels [Rich Merchant], Harry Cording, Joseph Granby [Policemen], Frank Penny, Peter Cusanelli [Merchants], Zack Williams [Executioner], Gabriel Gonzales [Monkey Man], John Merton [Mansur's Aide], Eddie Abdo [Mansur's Aide and offscreen prayer in Arabic], Dick Botiller [Mansur's Aide], Jack Lipson [Mansur's Aide], Lynne Arlen, Leslie Anthony, Rosalyn Lee, Sonia Carr, Carla Boehm, Yvonne De Carlo, Eileen Herric, Shelby Payne [Queen's Retinue], Paul Singh [Caliph's Valet], Paul Bradley [Magician], Louis Manley [Fire-Eater], Sammy Stein [Policeman], John Schaller, Ramiro Rivas, William Rivas [Juggling Trio]