source: Bagdad

Moviecut—Bagdad

Bagdad

Notable is the mideastern decor. The plot is things are definitely happening level of interest and things move from one scene to the next. The level of quality remains, does not dip. Something about more intrigue, about a lady seeking vengeance, a routine plot point, while people just like wearing turbans, fezzes, and cloaks.

Unintentionally funny story with Maureen O'Hara as an Arab princess avenging the death of her father. She sings! She dances! She battles the evil "Black Robes". Ms. O'Hara's possible knowledge of this movie's low worth may have enhanced her ludicrous performance. Vincent Price can always be depended on for an outrageous performance in an absurd film, but the hammy master is no match for O'Hara. Not a complete waste, as O'Hara and her leading man look lovely. It's got some action, and swell color. If everyone was as hammy as the leads, it might have been funnier - with more singing and dancing. ** Bagdad (1949) Charles Lamont ~ Maureen O'Hara, Paul Hubschmid, Vincent Price

Maureen O'Hara is not Iraqi and Vincent Price is not Turkish. Unfortunately, this film is based on the assumption that the viewer will believe that they are. The considerable talents of these two actors were wasted on a half-baked period piece with virtually no plot. Those small remnants of a story that existed were rather hard to follow. The only saving graces of this film are its luscious costumes and scenery, and they aren't nearly good enough to make the film worth sitting through.

A memorable film from several points. The color was terrific; the songs that Maureen O'Hara trilled had style; the costumes were overdone; the acting and dialogue, with all those "thee's" and "thou's" were unbelievable. Maureen must have been in Elizabethan England before returning to Bagdad. I really think the whole crew, including writers, must have had a hilarious time making this screwy movie. It is so bad, it is good.

The costumes, locations, and action make up for the thin plot in this story of a princess in search of her father's murderer. True, there are holes in the story, Maureen O'Hara as a red-haired Turkish princess takes a stretch of imagination, but the look of the film is wonderful. Vincent Price, as always, makes a menacing villain. One wishes there was more romance, however. A good time, nonetheless.