Customer Reviews

Song of Scheherazade

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This film speaks to viewers straight from the heart, a festive occasion marking a combination of the brilliant music of Russian composer Rimsky-Korsakoff along with beautifully choreographed dancing sequences from famed ballerina Tilly Losch within the framework of a glorious spirit. French star Jean-Pierre Aumont stars as the Russian composer as a young man serving with the Russian Navy. While his shyness is in initial impediment, Aumont becomes aware that his first love of music has a fresh rival in exotically beautiful Yvonne De Carlo, who exercises her dancing skills to the audience's delight. Aumont has spirited competition for De Carlo's affections from his wolfish shipmate, Philip Reed, but when all is said and done De Carlo prefers the more sensitive, less forward Aumont.

The story's action takes place at two points, the ship that is docked at port in Tangiers and the stately mansion where De Carlo lives with her mother, the always scheming Eve Arden at her wisecracking best. With the mansion mortgaged to the heavens, Arden needs to effectively strategize and is more than capable to the task. Male comedy support is provided by Brian Donlevy as ship captain, blustery on the surface but warm and sensitive inwardly. While outwardly complaining of Aumont's problems as a sailor, he is highly supportive, escpecially away from the eyes of those under his command. Eventually he strikes up a relationship with equally wily Arden at the same time when her daughter is enraptured by Aumont's charms.

Walter Reisch, former writing partner of Billy Wilder, directed with a deft touch and also wrote the script. Charles Kullman of the New York Metropolitan Opera entertained with song, giving the film the kind of grand scale of a great operatic production. Along with the brilliant Losch choreography, the costumes blended with the superb color, done by Yvonne Wood, who handled the costuming for the Busby Berkeley classic "The Gang's All Here" starring Alice Faye.

Reisch gave some talented newcomers opportunities in the film. Servant girl Elena Verdugo became a televsion star in the fifties in "Meet Millie" and was later a regular opposite Robert Young in "Marcus Welby." Robert Kendall later performed opposite Natalie Wood on Ford Television Theater in "Too Old for Dolls" and starred on screen as Baby Face Nelson in "Guns Don't Argue." William Ching played the ruthless killer pursued by Edmond O'Brien in the film noir classic, "D.O.A.", and played a Beverly Hills Police detective investigating Humphrey Bogart in "In a Lonely Place."

The blend of technicolor and song along with the exotic beauty and dancing skills of DeCarlo make "Song of Scheherazade" a must see for those who thrill to great musical entertainment.

I was in love with music since I was a little boy. Since then, I heard Rimsky Korsakov's Scheherazade and I was impressed for its melody as well as its oriental feeling. I remember well that one fine day I saw this picture: The song of Scheherazade at the movies. I was still a boy but I said to myself that someday I will have it for myself. I had to wait more than 30 years for that moment. When the commercial videos started, I went to video stores and always asked for the release of this film. It wouldn't happen until last year when I finally saw the pre-sale in Amazon. Now, I think that it worths to wait for something that you want. This movie has spectacular colors, incredible coreography and, mainly, the beautiful music of the russian composer Rimsky-Korsakov each moment. If you want to spend a nice evening with your family, your husband or wife, or even with yourself don't hesitate and get this video as soon as possible. You won't regret it.

Lovely film and I agree with our writers here. I would like to say that I have included a still photo of Yvonne dancing in her finery. It is valuable collectable photo that duh, I collect.
A picture is worth a thousand.............

This film is one of the great lost treasure in American Musical cinematogrphy! Highly entertaining, complete with a heartfelt sailor-on-leave romance and hauntingly beautiful music. Based on the life and music of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, a Russian sailor with a special talent for music composition. In reference to the previous statment about the Porteguise subtitles, they can be turned off, it's just that the label to turn off subtitles is in Porteguise... But it's easy enough to figure out, one label means "play," one is "scene selections," and the other is "subtitles." Despite being enclosed in a case covered in Porteguise writing, this is an American film and it is in English!
I hope this review was helpful, I reccommend this movie for anyone who is a music lover and appreciates old films.

As a preteen I had a crush on Jean Pierre Aumont when I first saw Song of Sheherazade way back in the 40s. Some years ago I taped it off my TV at 6 am one morning. When I saw it was available on DVD I jumped on it. What a stunning transcription this is! Wonderful color and great Rimsksky-Korsikov music. Yvonne de Carlo was never a great actress but Charles Kullman was a good lyric tenor. Eve Arden is always a treat and Brian Donlevy has class. A fantasy bit on the life of Rimsky-Korsikov, circa 1865, who actually was a cadet in the Russian navy. Delightfully acted romantic musical, a touch of comedy, and gorgeous costuming. Good family entertainment. I couldn't recommend this film more highly.

One of my favorite films from the '40's. Unfortunately, the Portugese subtitles, which I couldn't turn off, are very annoying. The product description doesn't mention the subtitles.

A fully useable VCR of an old favorite. It came in record time to meet Christmas expectations. Would not hesitate to order such an item in the future.

My wife Janet has been looking forward to seeing this film again since she went into a phone box to put lipstick on so that she could get into the cinema in 1949 aged 15 (still in her white ankle socks), straight from school with a friend. After viewing it she was still as enthralled as the first time and swooned once more at the sight of the handsome Jean Pierre Aumont. When the film was finished tears burst forth and I received much cuddles. (We've been married 55 years!!).

An excellent film with such wonderful music by Rimsky-Korsakov, they don't make them like that nowadays.

A little disappointed it isn't on DVD.

Robert

Love the movie just wish it was on DVD but i know if I want it bad enough i will settle for vhs.

Rather silly Technicolor musical fantasy "inspired" by the life of the famous Russian composer Rimsky-Korsakov but with the actual facts tossed aside in favor of fabricated romanticism. When the Russian navy is docked in Morocco, sailor Rimsky-Korsakov (Jean Pierre Aumont) meets an exotic Spanish nightclub dancer (Yvonne De Carlo) who inspires him to compose Scheherazade. One's tolerance for the film may depend on your appetite for 40s Hollywood kitsch (I'm partial) and/or the music of Rimsky-Korsakov (very partial). Some of the musical interludes are tiresome like Metropolitan opera star Charles Kullman bellowing out Song Of India but there's a charming fandango danced by De Carlo and Eve Arden. Arden looks a tad young to be playing De Carlo's mother but she's the most steadily amusing thing about the film. De Carlo's dancing leaves a lot to be desired. While she's fine doing the fandango, she's inadequate during the ballet sequences. Miklos Rozsa performed the conducting and adaptation duties on Rimsky-Korsakov's music. Walter Reisch directs. With Brian Donlevy, Elena Verdugo, John Qualen and Phillip Reed.

The Brazilian import via ClassicLine, while watchable, is a disappointing transfer. Rather soft looking and the three stip Technicolor not as vibrant as it should be.