This 1944 motion picture adaptation of The Desert Song musical play is the third of four made over the years beginning in the late 1920's. Warner Bros. produced both this color version and a remake in 1953, when color musicals where at the height of there popularity.
The film stars a handsome, youthful, Dennis Morgan who is in fine voice delivering both the cavalier and romantic musical numbers that delightfully highlight the screenplay.
Supporting Mr. Morgan is Bruce Cabot who delivers, well, Bruce Cabot. Gene Lockhart gives a good workman like performance. They are joined by a lovely Faye Emerson.
The color cinematogrophy takes full advantage of the beautiful Arizona and New Mexico locations where many of the outdoor scenes were shot.
What is unique about this film is that, unlike the other three adaptations, it was set against the then contemporary backdrop of World War II Africa. It also had the distinction of being nominated for an Academy Award for color art direction and interior design.
Sadly, it also has another distinction. To my knowledge, this 1944 Warner Bros. production has never come to American television. This writer has not been able to determine why this is so. Can anyone out there in IMDb movieland supply a definitive answer?
An ri
The film stars a handsome, youthful, Dennis Morgan who is in fine voice delivering both the cavalier and romantic musical numbers that delightfully highlight the screenplay.
Supporting Mr. Morgan is Bruce Cabot who delivers, well, Bruce Cabot. Gene Lockhart gives a good workman like performance. They are joined by a lovely Faye Emerson.
The color cinematogrophy takes full advantage of the beautiful Arizona and New Mexico locations where many of the outdoor scenes were shot.
What is unique about this film is that, unlike the other three adaptations, it was set against the then contemporary backdrop of World War II Africa. It also had the distinction of being nominated for an Academy Award for color art direction and interior design.
Sadly, it also has another distinction. To my knowledge, this 1944 Warner Bros. production has never come to American television. This writer has not been able to determine why this is so. Can anyone out there in IMDb movieland supply a definitive answer?
An ri