Summary
Flame of Araby (a.k.a. Flame of the Desert) is a 1951 American Technicolor adventure film directed by Charles Lamont starring Maureen O'Hara and Jeff Chandler. British film star Maxwell Reed made his American film debut in the picture. Locations were shot at three famous film locations: Vasquez Rocks, Bronson Canyon, and the Alabama Hills in Lone Pine, California.[2]
| Flame of Araby | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Charles Lamont |
| Written by | Gerald Drayson Adams |
| Produced by | Leonard Goldstein |
| Starring | Maureen O'Hara Jeff Chandler |
| Cinematography | Russell Metty |
| Edited by | Ted Kent |
Production company | Universal Pictures |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 77 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $1.5 million (US rentals)[1] |
Plot edit
Bedouin chief Tamerlaine (Jeff Chandler) is engaged in the hunt for the legendary black stallion Shahzada. Also chasing the prize steed is Tunisian Princess Tanya (Maureen O'Hara), who desires to capture the horse to race in competition against hated brothers Borka (Lon Chaney) and Hakim (Buddy Baer), so she will not be forced to marry one of them. After a prolonged and deadly rivalry, Tamerlaine decides to join forces with Tanya to trap the stallion – and in the process, the two fall in love.[3]
Cast edit
- Maureen O'Hara as Princess Tanya
- Jeff Chandler as Tamerlane
- Maxwell Reed as Prince Medina
- Lon Chaney Jr. as Borka Barbarossa
- Buddy Baer as Hakim Barbarossa
- Richard Egan as Captain Fezil
- Dewey Martin as Yak
- Royal Dano as Basra
- Susan Cabot as Clio
- Judith Braun as Calu
- Henry Brandon as Mallik
Production edit
The film was originally known as Flame of the Desert.[4][5] Maureen O'Hara reportedly requested Chandler as her leading man.[6]
Critical reception edit
TV Guide noted a "light diversion in the company of fiery redhead O'Hara, with the evil brothers delightfully played by Chaney and Baer."[7]
See also edit
- Raiders of the Seven Seas (1953), with the pirate Barbarossa as a hero
References edit
- ^ 'Top Box-Office Hits of 1952', Variety, January 7, 1953
- ^ "Flame of Araby (1952) – Original Print Info – TCM.com". Turner Classic Movies.
- ^ Hal Erickson (2014). "Flame-of-Araby – Trailer – Cast – Showtimes – NYTimes.com". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2014-11-04.
- ^ Schallert, Edwin (Apr 17, 1951). "Drama: Raoul Walsh Debates British Contract; Una Merkel in 'Goldeen Girl'". Los Angeles Times. p. B7.
- ^ THOMAS F. BRADY (Mar 28, 1951). "WALD AND KRASNA IN DEAL WITH ANTA: R.K.O. Producers to Make 'The Great Moments'--Academy Providing Plays, Actors Film's Title Changed". New York Times. p. 33.
- ^ "Drama: Russian Intrigue Will Background Gable Film". Los Angeles Times. Apr 6, 1951. p. B8.
- ^ "Flame Of Araby". TV Guide.
External links edit
- Flame of Araby at IMDb
- Flame of Araby at the TCM Movie Database
- Review of film at Variety
