The Desert Hawk ** (1950, Yvonne De Carlo, Richard Greene, George Macready, Rock Hudson, Jackie Gleason, Joie Besser) – Classic Movie Review 10,635

Director Frederick de Cordova’s handsome, feisty, infectiously gleeful 1950 Universal International Pictures Technicolor fantasy adventure The Desert Hawk stars Yvonne De Carlo as Princess Scheherazade and Richard Greene as Omar the blacksmith, aka The Desert Hawk, who, with the help of Aladdin and Sinbad, fight off the yoke of wicked tyrannical despot Prince Murad (George Macready).

When Scheherazade is forced to wed Murad, Omar disguises himself as marries her, incurring the wrath of both the others.

This fun Arabian Nights movie is striking to look at, with attractive cinematography (by Russell Metty), pretty sets (designed by Bernard Herzbrun) and lovely ladies in their harem scanties. But, happily, not a single thought troubles its head and there is priceless dialogue to match. The three lively stars are strongly supported by Rock Hudson (as Captain Ras), Jackie Gleason (Aladdin) and Joie Besser (Sinbad).

Also in the cast are Carl Esmond, Frank Puglia, Marc Lawrence, Ann Pearce, Lois Andrews, Lucille Barkley, Ian MacDonald, Michael Ansara, Milton Kibbee, Nestor Paiva, Lester Sharpe, Dirk Summers, Ben Welden, Robert J Wilke and Richard Hale.

The story and screenplay are by Aubrey Wisberg, Gerald Drayson Adams and Jack Pollexfen.

Star actress Yvonne De Carlo died at 84 on 8 January 2007. She was born Margaret Yvonne Middleton on 1 September 1922 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 10,635

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