Hotel Sahara

Peter Ustinov in a fez is of course hilarious in his first lead for a director other than himself, but who'd had thought Yvonne De Carlo could have been so funny? (Particularly the way she demonstrates what "a creature of infinite variety" she is by swiftly switching personalities to accommodate Albert Lieven.)

Blessed with appropriate music by Benjamin Frankel, the obvious phoniness of the desert set which the cute little vehicles trumble along only makes the whole thing even funnier.

There must have been hotels etc. Which actually experienced this type of problem with towns and villages changing hands more than once. Peter Ustinov was perfect for this part as were all the others cast. It did not look any any footage was shot outside of a studio as mentioned elsewhere as it all looked very much studio shot with a few lorry loads of sand spread around a bit. An amusing tale with plenty of odd characters to keep an audience entertained for the running time, it did not seem to be too long at any point. Well worth watching and no wonder the leading lady attracted the attention of soldiers of various nationalities.

Uproarious World War II farce about the hotel of the title. Yvonne DeCarlo and Peter Ustinov as the proprietors, trying to survive the war but sitting in just the right place in the desert that the hotel changes sides depending on how the battle is going that week. The British move in, then out as the Germans move in, then out. Yvonne DeCarlo changes her personality, her wardrobe and her musical numbers to fit whoever the current occupiers happen to be. Hilarious ending has all sides occupying the hotel all at once. And you thought Yvonne DeCarlo was just Herman Munster's wife! Too bad this one isn't on video somewhere. Well worth a look if you happen to run across it.

Peter Ustinov and his fiancé Yvonne de Carlo run a hotel in the middle of the Sahara during WWII. When things get too close for comfort they have to react quickly to keep the warring countries, who keep visiting, content, if they are to stay alive and keep the hotel going.

Enjoyable enough farce with Ustinov and Co working tirelessly and frantically to convince the English, French, Italians and Germans that they're on their side as each visits in turn. Trouble is, this is supposed to be a farce but it just isn't frantic, silly or frankly quick enough to get any big laughs. It needed more confusion, mistaken identity, slamming doors and running around. It tries, but not enough.

"Hotel Sahara" is billed as a comedy, romance and war film. It takes place during the early days of World War II in North Africa. And, various men in the uniforms of Italy, England, Germany and France are part of the story. But that's about all there is to do with the war, except for some firing of rifles in one scene and a couple of mines exploding. The romance is questionable, and the comedy is very slight. What there is of it is situational.

There's no dialog in this film that will make one laugh of even chuckle. There are no antics, pratfalls or incidents of slapstick. The film has considerable frenzied activity, mostly with the hotel staff scurrying about to change motifs from one nationality to another. Changing a wall picture hanging from Mussolini to Hitler is the height of humor.

Yvonne De Carlo sings some songs - it seems to be a vehicle mostly for her to play different roles as the fiancé of the hotel owner. Peter Ustinov is good in his role, and most of the rest of the cast are fine. So, just for their effort and a good set with filming I stretch and give this film six stars. But, if one is looking for a good comedy or a time to have some laughter, it's best to try another film.