Kismet (1955)

A roguish poet is given the run of the scheming Wazir's harem while pretending to help him usurp the young caliph.

Directors:

Vincente Minnelli, Stanley Donen (uncredited)

Writers:

Charles Lederer (screenplay), Luther Davis (screenplay)

Stars:

Howard Keel, Ann Blyth, Dolores Gray

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Howard Keel	...	Poet
Ann Blyth	...	Marsinah
Dolores Gray	...	Lalume
Vic Damone	...	Caliph
Monty Woolley	...	Omar
Sebastian Cabot	...	Wazir
Jay C. Flippen	...	Jawan
Mike Mazurki	...	Chief Policeman
Jack Elam	...	Hasan-Ben
Ted de Corsia	...	Police Sub-altern

Storyline

Like a tale spun by Scheherazade, Kismet follows the remarkable and repeated changes of fortune that engulf a poor poet. It all happens in one incredible day when Kismet (Fate) takes a hand.

---

Plot Keywords:

remake | camp | impostor | beggar | male female relationship | 

---

Taglines:

FAMED STAGE HIT GLORIFIED ON THE SCREEN! [poster - all caps]

---

Genres:

Adventure | Musical | Fantasy | Comedy | Romance

---

Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jack Cole choreographed (uncredited) Marlene Dietrich's seductive dances in MGM's Kismet (1944), starring Ronald Colman. Jack Cole choreographed Edwin Lester and Homer Curran's Los Angeles and San Francisco Civic Light Opera 1953 summer production of "Kismet" prior to the show's New York City opening in December, 1953. Arthur Freed hired Jack Cole for the 1955 film musical to duplicate and re-stage the dances he had choreographed for the Broadway production.

---

Goofs

When the poet is about to be taken, one of the abductors threatened him with a knife. When trying to put the knife back in the sheath, he gives up and just stuffs it into his waistband.

---

Quotes

Caliph: I was stepped upon!
Omar: Oh, inconceivable, All Highest, but true. You were incontrovertibly stepped upon.

---

Connections

Referenced in Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

---

Soundtracks

Sands of Time
(uncredited)
Music by Aleksandr Borodin
Music Adapted by Bob Wright (as Robert Wright) and Chet Forrest (as George Forrest)
Lyrics by Bob Wright (as Robert Wright) and Chet Forrest (as George Forrest)
Sung by Howard Keel

User Reviews

Harum Scarum

Thanks to the mega surprise success of SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS, and the income of $7m in rentals (wow!) MGM lurched into a series of 'robust' macho musicals: ATHENA, ROSE MARIE, HIT THE DECK, and the best of all: IT'S ALWAYS FAIR WEATHER. KISMET today, 50 years later, it is best enjoyed knowing it came from that mindset and is a product of a lavish budget itself: $2.6m. Like all those above it made money, but only just. In 2004 it is the production values and the music/dancing that is sensational and compared to modern film production quality is positively a masterpiece. I am sure even Madonna has seen this because the Market Place dance number is certainly recycled into her music video imagery. Dolores Gray is suitably brassy and the absolutely awesome NIGHT OF MY NIGHTS number with Vic Damone is one of the most visually enchanting set pieces committed to film ever. Try and see it in cinema scope, as pan/scan TV prints cut the sides off and the impressive visuals are crippled. It's quite rude too.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 December 1955 (USA)

Also Known As:

Kismet

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,692,960 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System) Stereo

Color:

Color (photographed in) (Eastman Color)

Aspect Ratio:

2.55 : 1