Hollywood made several very kitschy films in the 1940s-50s which were supposedly set in ancient Baghdad. A few, despite their cheesiness, were still quite enjoyable such as "Cobra Woman" and "The Thief of Bagdad". Most, however, were more like "Kismet"...all glitz, lousy writing and actors who looked nothing like Iraqis. Unfortunately, "Babes in Bagdad" falls in the latter group...lousy writing, glitz and actors who bore no resemblance to anyone from the region.
The film stars Paulette Goddard, a pretty big star in the early 1940s but whose star had almost completely faded by the 1950s. In fact, she was offered so few roles that perhaps she was lucky to score the lead in this one. Supporting her are Gypsy Rose Lee, the famous stripper, and John Boles in his last movie.
When the story begins, the newest addition to Hassan's harem is Kyra (Goddard). She should be thrilled to stay there and live a life of leisure but she quickly bores of the place and hatches a plan to appeal to the Caliph to free them...a 20th century notion that really didn't make any sense here. He isn't predisposed to do anything...but Hassan's son makes him a bet...one you know he'll end up winning by the end of the film.
As I mentioned above, this isn't a very good film. Mostly, it's poor because it is so little like ancient Bagdad and because it's awfully boring. Also, this might sound a bit mean, but it's hard to imagine Goddard being THAT alluring considering her best years were long behind her. Overall, a film so dull and unexciting I wouldn't even venture to call it a time-passer.
By the way, although the movie was filmed using 'Cinefotocolor', all the color had long ago disappeared from the print. This might explain WHY I'd never heard of Cinefotocolor until this movie.
The film stars Paulette Goddard, a pretty big star in the early 1940s but whose star had almost completely faded by the 1950s. In fact, she was offered so few roles that perhaps she was lucky to score the lead in this one. Supporting her are Gypsy Rose Lee, the famous stripper, and John Boles in his last movie.
When the story begins, the newest addition to Hassan's harem is Kyra (Goddard). She should be thrilled to stay there and live a life of leisure but she quickly bores of the place and hatches a plan to appeal to the Caliph to free them...a 20th century notion that really didn't make any sense here. He isn't predisposed to do anything...but Hassan's son makes him a bet...one you know he'll end up winning by the end of the film.
As I mentioned above, this isn't a very good film. Mostly, it's poor because it is so little like ancient Bagdad and because it's awfully boring. Also, this might sound a bit mean, but it's hard to imagine Goddard being THAT alluring considering her best years were long behind her. Overall, a film so dull and unexciting I wouldn't even venture to call it a time-passer.
By the way, although the movie was filmed using 'Cinefotocolor', all the color had long ago disappeared from the print. This might explain WHY I'd never heard of Cinefotocolor until this movie.