The Desert Song (1943)

Who could hate this movie? I see the three words, "I hate it." and then I see the retort "I love it." Ditto the "I love it."It's rather like "Casablanca" meets "Lawrence of Arabia" meets "Showboat". I was completely entertained. I wish that more of the Romberg music were in it, particularly the incredible tenor-bass combination of "When One Flower Grows Alone in Your Garden". It plays as background music, but I sure did want to hear it and see it in this movie.I loved the Moroccan musical interludes and for the first time recognized a lot of those Arab motifs in the beautiful Romberg tunes.Dennis Morgan, I see now, has great charisma and a good tenor voice. I had never heard of the soprano, and she is just a bit weaker of voice than I would have liked. I remember Anna Moffo's recording for Readers' Digest production multi-album "Treasury of Great Operettas", to which few sopranos could compare favorably.Nice movie and I repeat, what kind of person could possibly hate this film????? Donald Trump probably, but who else?

Like many seniors, had not seen this since 1943. lived up to my expectations--good mix of music and action. Love Dennis Morgan's version of "One Alone". For a period piece this is great. Did not need the Spielberg treatment--computer enhancement or millions of dollars of special effects. The actors are real, look clean and bright, and obviously enjoyed their roles. Reflects a time when Hollywood was much more genuine--sorry Madonna and Rosie; not your cup of tea!

I was so happy to find this dvd. I watched it right away. It is a very good recording it seems to be restored. Color very good also. Got here quickly. I enjoyed it as much as the Gordon Mc Crea version. Great

I've been waiting for this to be released ever since tapes came on the market. Finally it is released on DVD and every bit as good as I remember from seeing it years ago. It's a shame we don't have singers like Dennis Morgan anymore. His voice is wonderful to hear. So if you want a movie without monsters, vampires, lots of bloodshed (though there is some in this), all the way out things now in movies, just a movie to make you feel good, this is it.

Improved settings and sound since Nelson Eddy's performance. As with different personalities, Dennis Morgan gave a different dimension to the inspiring 1925 Riffs uprising against the French. More developments and discoveries in the film industry allowed for more in-depth characterizations. Dennis Morgan became ingrained as one of the great film-industry vocalists.

Both leads have beautiful voices and the music is also beautiful. I can't imagine how anyone managed to talk the movie studio into producing such a dumb screenplay. I don't have a problem with movies that aren't totally realistic, but this plot is just silly. I love Dennis Morgan, though. Too bad someone never produced the original story that was in the 1929 version that, I have been told, was breathtakingly romantic. Oh well. The music is beautiful even if the plot isn't.

I first saw this movie when it was released in 1949. Over the years, I saw other versions, but never forgot this one. Although the script for this version is weak, to me no voice or manner other than Dennis Morgan's suits the music or its major male role better. The combination of him and Irene Manning was worth the worth the wait to see it again.

I first saw this movie when I was about 7 years old and as I am now in my seventies, it is a joy to be able to see it again. With the 1953 version of The Desert Song, it is interesting to see the difference in the songs included, as what was in the 1943 version are not in the 1953 version in some cases. No matter what version I see, I just love The Desert Song........thank you Sigmund Romberg.

Songs in da desert!

Despite my craving for my boyhood visits to the cinema in the 1940's this is one I missed. Warner Bros films were always shown in the inferior, one of two cinemas in my town, won't say what we called it,however, it was a wealth of this studios product....Not until this was recently issued by Warner Archive did I know of this version. In the stage version, there are many songs, which when the film was transferred to the screen, many were dropped. The 1953 version was a product of the new era of the 50's, new stars and lavish. When I viewed this 1943 version I was astounded by the production values. It had been newly restored, with a beautiful technicolor print. The story was a more detailed than the later 1953 version, with the Vichy French in Morocco and the down trodden Arabs during the second world war. Much of the film was shot on location in Canyon De Chelly National Park and Gallup, New Mexico and the studio sets, were very real at Warner Bros Studio. Bruce Cabot and some of the usual good character actors, were there to support the stars, however Irene Manning I had never seen before. She was very pretty and had a lovely natural singing voice.. This dvd is a gem to all those who like musical escapism..The talent of all involved with such films in the Golden Era is exceptional. I am thankful I was born within this time to witness the like.HaylynUK

The disc was not playable. It maybe that the disc is empty.No answer from the seller. Paid a lot of money for nothing.

Unusual but very enjoyable version of the classic musical.

What a pleasant surprise! A most entertaining "reinvention" of this hoary old operetta, with an excellent production and very attractive cast. As this is a Warner Bros film, the musical content is superbly handled (the unsung genius, Ray Heindorf was in charge) and it's fun spotting many of the exterior sets (slightly redressed) that had already featured in CASABLANCA just a few months earlier. Dennis Morgan acquits himself well, in fine voice, and this should have been his most important role but I suspect its limited wartime release and subsequent disappearance, put paid to that. The print is gorgeous (it has sat in the Warner vault for almost 80 years) and a joy to see. What a pity there are no extras, not even a trailer. However, it is wonderful to finally be able to see this almost unknown film. Thank you Warner Bros! Unreservedly recommended!