For varying periods and times over the decades, Hollywood has had some specific subject interests besides the major film categories. These would be topics or subjects of particular interests outside of the regular major fields. So, different films of these interests might fit into any one or more of the major categories - action, biographical, comedy, crime and mystery, drama, epic, fantasy, historical, musical, romance, sci-fi, war and western. Biblical stories would be one such special area, and some grand dramas and historical films were made in that field. Another is literary classics which include films of drama, history, fantasy, comedy, mystery, sci-fi and war. Sea and sailing pictures are another such specific field, and jungle pictures are yet another. A smaller group that had particular attention during Hollywood's first few decades was Arabia and nomadic stories of Asia and the Middle east.
These were sometimes called sandals and sand pictures. "Kismet" is in that field. And it has been made several times. Two silent films in 1914 and 1920, and two sound films in 1930 and 1944 were adventure fantasy films based on an original stage play of 1911 by Edward Knoblock. This film of 1955 is the first and only musical rendition of the story, but it is based on the stage musical that was a success in 1953.
"Kismet" is a musical comedy-romance and fantasy film set in Arabia. Stars Howard Keel, Ann Blyth and Vic Damone have songs, and of the dozen or so, there are two that were hits from the 1953 stage musical. They are "Baubles, Bangles and Beads" and "Stranger in Paradise." . The plot is simple but not very well knit together with dialog and scenes.
Compared to most films made in 1955, this film had a very high budget and production costs over $3 million. It was a box office failure and lost MGM more than $2 million. Even with Howard Keel in the lead, a film needs top quality material to win audiences over. But this film had a weak plot to begin with, and lacks the spark and energy that great musicals have.
People who like musicals would probably still enjoy this film these decades later, though few would find it more than mildly entertaining. Others may not be interested at all, or would just become bored before halfway through.
These were sometimes called sandals and sand pictures. "Kismet" is in that field. And it has been made several times. Two silent films in 1914 and 1920, and two sound films in 1930 and 1944 were adventure fantasy films based on an original stage play of 1911 by Edward Knoblock. This film of 1955 is the first and only musical rendition of the story, but it is based on the stage musical that was a success in 1953.
"Kismet" is a musical comedy-romance and fantasy film set in Arabia. Stars Howard Keel, Ann Blyth and Vic Damone have songs, and of the dozen or so, there are two that were hits from the 1953 stage musical. They are "Baubles, Bangles and Beads" and "Stranger in Paradise." . The plot is simple but not very well knit together with dialog and scenes.
Compared to most films made in 1955, this film had a very high budget and production costs over $3 million. It was a box office failure and lost MGM more than $2 million. Even with Howard Keel in the lead, a film needs top quality material to win audiences over. But this film had a weak plot to begin with, and lacks the spark and energy that great musicals have.
People who like musicals would probably still enjoy this film these decades later, though few would find it more than mildly entertaining. Others may not be interested at all, or would just become bored before halfway through.