Here we have a musical which unfortunately did not get the full MGM treatment other musicals have been given before. On stage this was a huge hit with complex orchestrations, high quality singing and dancing girls. However, I don't know why, the music was ridiculously simplified, the singing was good but not so complex (for example the exhilarating "And This is My Beloved" lost almost all of its charm once the overlapping quartet was eliminated). As to dancing girls there is not much to choose from. But we still have here a very good example of high entertainment, despite the many drawbacks done by the production company. The sets and the costumes are very realistic and the singing is very good when compared to the quality of the music. Keel and Gray are great as the 'mature' lovers who know how to enjoy life at the expense of her husband. His rich baritone and her sensual contralto voice are at their best in the hypnotic "Rahadlakum", while Vic Damone's tenor and Ann Blyth's soprano reach theirs in the love duets "Stranger in Paradise" and "This is my Beloved." Another good song which wasn't effected too much by the alterations was the philosophical "Sands of Time" sung by the great and unforgettable Keel. If you like musicals, adventures and girls in Arabian costumes this is the movie for you.
