Film Review
Edward Knoblock's 1911 play
Kismet
had already been adapted for cinema three times before MGM gave it the
full-blown musical treatment in this 1955 version. Thinking it
was on to a surefire winner, the studio bought the film rights to what
became a hugely successful Broadway musical even before it had been
staged. It proved to be a very poor investment, as the film was
widely panned by the critics and struggled to make a profit. By
this time, the heyday of the film musical had past, and
Kismet was just one of several
films of its kind that MGM made (
Brigadoon being another notable
flop) in a futile attempt to revive interest in a flagging
genre.
MGM's musical producer Arthur Freed was keen that the film should be
directed by Vincente Minnelli, who had already proven he had a flair
for the film musical with
Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) and
An American in Paris (1951),
two of the finest musicals made by the studio. Unfortunately,
Minnelli had disliked the staged musical version of
Kismet and had no interest in
adapting it for the cinema. He was persuaded to change his mind
when he was offered a
quid pro quo
he could not refuse: the opportunity to direct a biography of the life
of Vincent Van Gogh,
Lust for Life
(1956), the film he had long wanted to make. The story may not
have been to Minnelli 's liking, but the musical did at least boast
some respectable numbers, which were largely based on the music of the
Russian composer Alexander Borodin. These include the musical's
best-known
number,
Stranger in Paradise,
which was lifted from Borodin's
Polovetsian
Dances.
It is not hard to see why Minnelli had cold feet about the
venture.
The Arabian Nights
style fantasy does not translate easily to the big screen and the
result looks painfully theatrical and kitsch. The garish sets
would look fine in a theatre, but in unforgiving colour CinemaScope
they merely stifle the production and accentuate its airless
staginess. Despite being obviously too young for his part, MGM
musical regular Howard Keel gives the film the vitality and charm it
badly needs, although he is pretty well fighting a losing battle, with
minimal backup. Popular singer Vic Damone lacks screen presence
and is a poor match for the charismatic Ann Blyth, although Dolores
Gray spices things up a little as the sensuous Lalume, reminiscent of
Marlene Dietrich's Jamilla in the 1944 dramatic (and far superior)
version of
Kismet.
Definitely not one of MGM's better musical offerings, but Howard Keel's
presence and some memorable numbers make it worth the effort.
© James Travers 2013
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.
Next Vincente Minnelli film:
Lust for Life (1956)
Film Synopsis
In old Baghdad, a poet is mistaken for a beggar named Hajj and abducted
by the notorious bandit Jewan. The latter threatens to kill the
supposed beggar unless he lifts the curse he put on him, which he
blames for his son being kidnapped when a boy. The poet obliges,
but only after he has extorted a hundred gold pieces from him. He
returns to Baghdad, not knowing that in his absence his daughter
Marsinah has met and fallen in love with the Caliph, disguised as a
humble gardener. Marsinah fails to keep her rendezvous with the
Caliph, as she and her father are arrested by the Wazir, charged with
stealing the gold coins they have in their possession. When he
discovers that the poet's curses have a habit of being fulfilled, the
Wazir makes him a prince, and hopes that he can assist him in
persuading the Caliph to marry the three daughters of the King of
Ababu...
© James Travers
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.