The Desert Hawk

This is entertaining for a tale about the mideast intrigues, the title hero is a rogue superhero like person in a red robe, one thing is this has Sinbad and Aladdin relegated to comic relief sidekicks, and the Sherherizade (of 1,001 Nights) as the romance interest switching with villainess, if these famous characters are included they gotta at least live up to their names, however enough satisfying action here against routine Califs and about the title Desert Hawk as battling against the taxing fiendish people, the checklist of things is harems, people in rugs, slave markets, turbans, dungeons, some good palaces here.

The beautiful Princess Scheherazade (Yvonne DeCarlo) is betrothed to Prince Murad (George Macready). Unfortunately for her, Prince Murad is a bit of a tyrant, and his tax collectors have been oppressing the common people. Challenging his tyranny is the man known as the Desert Hawk. His real identity is under wraps, and when not fighting injustice he's a humble blacksmith under the name of Omar.

Richard Greene plays the Desert Hawk in this sprightly Arabian Nights adventure ( minus the fantasy elements) and he's a Robin Hood figure. It's nothing new, but that doesn't mean it isn't entertaining. There's a lot to enjoy like scimitars clashing, riders in the desert landscape, diabolical plots, and some nice twists and turn. It was quite enjoyable.

Both stars - Yvonne DeCarlo and Richard Greene- enliven this film further, with Decarlo's haughty princess adding some spice, and Greene's dashing acting. He really swordfights well.

It's got the typical Hollywood's exaggerated version of Arabia with harems and poetic language. But it's harmless fun that had me cheering the hero.

Once again Universal getting out of those sets that they created for Maria Montez and her films creates The Desert Hawk with romantic bandit leader Richard Greene romancing the Princess Scherazade played by Yvonne DeCarlo.. Fortunately Greene has two villains to contend with George MacReady and evil prince and Carl Esmond leader of a cult of assassins who work at cross purposes.

To keep DeCarlo from marrying MacReady in an arranged marriage Greene pretends to be MacReady and he has a clergyman in his gang marry them. These days we'd go to court for an annulment, but back then this is a beheading offense.

The film also has Jackie Gleason and Joe Besser playing Aladdin and Sinbad. Not those two legends from Arabian Night but a pair of burlesque comedians of those times who look jarringly out of place. Gleason looks like he crash dieted for this film, God only knows why.

Rock Hudson plays one of MacReady's henchmen and he was up and coming over at Universal at the time. Lucky this was early in his career or within two years he would have had the lead and this would be remembered as a Hudson picture.

Definitely one of Universal's lesser homages to the Arabian Nights.

Established by mutual agreement, even by third parties. Like the deceitful marriage between the two protagonists. The princesses, although against a marriage arranged by her father, is won over by the boldness and noble motivations of the deception. The disguise also serves to fight the tyrannical power of the prince, for the freedom of his starving people.

Princess Scheherazade (Yvonne de Carlo) agrees to marry Prince Murad, arranged by the caliph, her father. In reality she marries the bandit Omar (Richard Greene), nicknamed the Desert hawk, accompanied by his attendant Aladdin (Jackie Gleason) and his gang. When the real Prince Murad (George McCready) arrives at the camp protected by the garrison of Captain Ras (Rock Hudson), he reveals the deception.

Director Frederick de Cordova (6.0) gives a good adventurous pace to the film; the screenplay (6.0) is linear and fluid enough to flow quickly; from a technical point of view (5.5) one can appreciate Russel Metty's elegant photographic work; the acting (5.5) of the secondary roles is just sufficient, including Greene and Gleason, who work well within their comfort zone, while de Carlo's work in a complex and multifaceted role, an assertive and fascinating heroine, is more in-depth.

Best moments: in the casbah you can find excellent deals, obviously knowing how to judge the merchandise well: "Strong hair, thick skull... well-shaped ear. Clean, without warts... Show me your teeth". A must-see for fans of cloak and dagger and exotic settings.

This is a fun movie starring Richard Greene, playing an outlaw helping his people in the Middle East who coincidentally years later would find his fame playing Robin Hood on TV. It's fun, Jackie Gleason and Joe Besser provide the laughs, it has beautiful damsels in distress and nasty villains, a good matinee movie. Amusingly this movie depicts Muslims 600 years before Mohammed, which is quite incredible.