Princess of the Nile

Last updated
Princess of the Nile
Princess of the Nile poster.jpg
Directed by Harmon Jones
Written by Gerald Drayson Adams
Produced by Robert L. Jacks
Starring Debra Paget
Jeffrey Hunter
Michael Rennie
Cinematography Lloyd Ahern
Edited by George A. Gittens
Music by Lionel Newman
Color process Technicolor
Production
company
Panoramic Productions
Distributed by 20th Century Fox
Release date
  • July 1954 (1954-07)
Running time
71 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$475,000 [1]

Princess of the Nile is a 1954 American adventure film directed by Harmon Jones and starring Debra Paget, Jeffrey Hunter and Michael Rennie. It was shot in technicolor and distributed by 20th Century Fox. Originally conceived as a more lavish film, it ended up produced as a second feature.

Contents

Plot

Advertisement from 1954 National Theatre Ad - 12 August 1954, Graham, TX.jpg
Advertisement from 1954

Egypt, 1249: The father of Princess Shalimar has fallen under the spell of the sinister Shaman, who drugs him and tries to keep daughter Shalimar a prisoner. She knows a secret passage, however, and slips away at night to entertain the oppressed villagers of Hanwan by disguising herself as Taura, a popular dancer in the Tambourine Tavern.

Prince Haidi, the son of the caliph of Bagdad, rides into town accompanied by Captain Hussein, his close friend. At the same time, the menacing Rama Khan and his powerful army arrive. Rama Khan is conspiring with the Shaman to overthrow the Hanwan rulers.

Hussein is killed by Khan, and in the confusion, Taura the dancing girl stabs Prince Haidi with a dagger, unaware he is a potential ally. Haidi's wounds are not fatal. As he consults Princess Shalimar's father about how to conquer the invading horde, he inquires about the dancer Taura who stabbed him, unaware she and Shalimar are one and the same.

Rama Khan wants the princess for himself. He threatens to kill villagers unless she gives herself to him. A battle ensues, in which Haidi, who now realizes her true identity, overcomes Khan, while the Shaman also endures a well-deserved death.

Cast

Production

In January 1953 Fox announced the film would be made in CinemaScope as a vehicle for Marilyn Monroe. They hoped to get Tyrone Power to play the male lead. [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Rennie</span> British actor (1909–1971)

Michael Rennie was a British film, television and stage actor, who had leading roles in a number of Hollywood films, including his portrayal of the space visitor Klaatu in the science fiction film The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951). In a career spanning more than 30 years, Rennie appeared in more than 50 films and in several American television series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rita Hayworth</span> American actress (1918–1987)

Rita Hayworth was an American actress. She achieved fame in the 1940s as one of the top stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood, and appeared in 61 films in total over 37 years. The press coined the term "The Love Goddess" to describe Hayworth after she had become the most glamorous screen idol of the 1940s. She was the top pin-up girl for GIs during World War II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeffrey Hunter</span> American actor (1926-1969)

Jeffrey Hunter was an American film and television actor and producer known for his roles in films such as The Searchers and King of Kings. On television, Hunter is known for his 1965 role as Captain Christopher Pike in the original pilot episode of Star Trek.

<i>Broken Arrow</i> (1950 film) 1950 film by Delmer Daves

Broken Arrow is a 1950 American Western film directed by Delmer Daves and starring James Stewart, Jeff Chandler and Debra Paget. The film is based on historical figures, but fictionalizes their story in dramatized form. It was nominated for three Academy Awards, and won a Golden Globe Award for Best Film Promoting International Understanding. Film historians have said that the film was one of the first major Westerns since the Second World War to portray the Indians sympathetically.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Debra Paget</span> American actress and entertainer (born 1933)

Debra Paget is an American retired actress and entertainer. She is perhaps best known for her performances in Cecil B. DeMille's epic The Ten Commandments (1956) and in Elvis Presley's film debut, Love Me Tender (1956), as well as for the risqué snake dance scene in The Indian Tomb (1959).

<i>Demetrius and the Gladiators</i> 1954 film by Delmer Daves

Demetrius and the Gladiators is a 1954 American biblical drama film and a sequel to The Robe. The picture was made by 20th Century-Fox, directed by Delmer Daves and produced by Frank Ross. The screenplay was written by Philip Dunne based on characters created by Lloyd C. Douglas in The Robe.

<i>Serpent of the Nile</i> 1953 film by William Castle

Serpent of the Nile is a 1953 Technicolor historical adventure film produced by Sam Katzman and directed by William Castle. The film starred Rhonda Fleming, Raymond Burr, William Lundigan and Michael Ansara. In an early role, actress Julie Newmar appears as an exotic dancer clad only in gold paint. It also stars William Lundigan as Lucilius and Michael Fox as Octavius.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Srinagarindra</span> Mother of King Bhumibol (1900–1995)

Princess Srinagarindra born Sangwan Talapat was a member of the Royal Thai Family. She was part of the House of Mahidol, which is descended from the Chakri Dynasty and was originated by Prince Mahidol Adulyadej. She was the mother of Princess Galyani Vadhana, the Princess of Naradhiwas, King Ananda Mahidol, and King Bhumibol Adulyadej and was the paternal grandmother of King Vajiralongkorn.

<i>Murder at the Gallop</i> 1963 British film

Murder at the Gallop (1963) is the second of four Miss Marple films made by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It was based on the 1953 novel After the Funeral by Agatha Christie, with Margaret Rutherford as Miss Jane Marple, Charles "Bud" Tingwell as Inspector Craddock and Stringer Davis as Jane Marple's friend Mr Stringer returning from the previous film.

<i>The Egyptian</i> (film) 1954 film by Michael Curtiz

The Egyptian is a 1954 American epic historical drama film made by 20th Century-Fox. Filmed in CinemaScope with color by DeLuxe, it was directed by Michael Curtiz and produced by Darryl F. Zanuck. It is based on Mika Waltari's 1945 novel of the same name and the screenplay was adapted by Philip Dunne and Casey Robinson. Leading roles were played by Edmund Purdom, Bella Darvi, Jean Simmons, Victor Mature, Gene Tierney, Peter Ustinov, and Michael Wilding. Cinematographer Leon Shamroy was nominated for an Oscar in 1955.

<i>The Day the Fish Came Out</i> 1967 Greek–British comedy film

The Day the Fish Came Out is a 1967 DeLuxe Color Greek–British comedy film directed and written by Michael Cacoyannis who also designed the film's futuristic costumes. The film stars Tom Courtenay, Colin Blakely and Sam Wanamaker.

Fay School, founded in 1866 by the Fay sisters, is an independent, coeducational day and boarding school located in Southborough, Massachusetts.

<i>Prince Valiant</i> (1954 film) 1954 film by Henry Hathaway

Prince Valiant is a 1954 American adventure film directed by Henry Hathaway and produced by Robert L. Jacks, in Technicolor and Cinemascope, produced and released by 20th Century-Fox. Based on the King Features syndicated newspaper comic strip of the same name by Hal Foster, the film stars James Mason, Janet Leigh, Robert Wagner, Debra Paget and Sterling Hayden.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Honey Bruce</span> American exotic dancer

Honey Bruce Friedman, also known by her professional name Honey Harlow, was an American stripper and showgirl who was married to stand-up comedian Lenny Bruce.

Robert D. Webb was an American film director. He directed 16 films between 1945 and 1968. He won the Academy Award for Best Assistant Director for In Old Chicago, the last time that category was offered.

<i>King of the Khyber Rifles</i> (film) 1953 film by Henry King

King of the Khyber Rifles is a 1953 adventure film directed by Henry King and starring Tyrone Power and Terry Moore. The film shares its title but little else with the novel King of the Khyber Rifles (1916) by Talbot Mundy. This novel was also the basis for John Ford's The Black Watch (1929). The Khyber Pass scenes were shot in the Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, California. Released by 20th Century Fox, the film was one of the first shot in Technicolor CinemaScope.

<i>Legends of Oz: Dorothys Return</i> 2013 film by Daniel St. Pierre

Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return is a 2013 animated musical fantasy film that is loosely based on the 1989 book Dorothy of Oz by L. Frank Baum's great-grandson Roger Stanton Baum. It was directed by Daniel St. Pierre and Will Finn. The film stars the voices of Lea Michele, Dan Aykroyd, Jim Belushi, Kelsey Grammer, Hugh Dancy, Megan Hilty, Oliver Platt, Patrick Stewart, Bernadette Peters, and Martin Short.

<i>Bird of Paradise</i> (1951 film) 1951 drama film directed by Delmer Daves

Bird of Paradise is a 1951 American adventure drama and romance film in Technicolor, produced and directed by Delmer Daves, and starring Debra Paget, Louis Jourdan, and Jeff Chandler. The screenplay was also written by Daves based on the 1912 play by Richard Walton Tully. The film was distributed by 20th Century-Fox.

<i>Jodha Akbar</i> Indian television series

Jodha Akbar is an Indian Historical drama television series that aired from 18 June 2013 to 7 August 2015 on Zee TV and is also digitally available on ZEE5. The show was produced by Ekta Kapoor under Balaji Telefilms. Starring Rajat Tokas and Paridhi Sharma, it was a successful show for the entirety of its original run. Critics have praised the series for its acting performances, scope, soundtrack and production values. It replaced Rab Se Sohna Isshq and was replaced by Tashan-e-Ishq in its timeslot.

References

  1. Solomon, Aubrey. Twentieth Century Fox: A Corporate and Financial History (The Scarecrow Filmmakers Series). Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press, 1989. ISBN   978-0-8108-4244-1. p249
  2. FOX SLATES 2 FILMS WITH NEW PROCESS: ' Prince Valiant' and 'Princess of Nile' Will Be Made for 3-Dimensional Screening By THOMAS M. PRYORS New York Times 29 Jan 1953: 24.