I saw this in fall 1945> I had left ship on day war ended. We were in far reaches of Pacific and had not had a liberty or seen and spoken with a woman for over a year and a half. I flew to Honolulu for a school and was there for three weeks. Ship arrived and I rejoined it. Fueled and departed without touching shore. Sailors eager to get back to States and liberty and accompanying social life. The first night out the movie was Salome Where She Danced. The moans, and groans, and other manifestations of souls (and bodies) in torment would have amazed those of you who look at this movie in current times, under current circumstances.
I look at the movie now from time to time to savor the feeling of smugness I felt that night. I had had three weeks in Honolulu and so was perhaps less moved by the dance. I still look at it, though, from the experience of long deprivation.
I agree that much of the acting is deplorable, most of the plot, and all of the situations improbable. However, that dance is the whole reason for the show and in the fall of 1945 it was moving, gripping, and memorable.