The Desert Hawk (1950 film)
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Aubrey Wisberg
| The Desert Hawk | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Frederick De Cordova |
| Written by | Gerald Drayson Adams |
| Story by | Jack Pollexfen Aubrey Wisberg |
| Produced by | Leonard Goldstein |
| Starring | Yvonne De Carlo Richard Greene |
| Narrated by | Jeff Chandler |
| Cinematography | Russell Metty |
| Edited by | Otto Ludwig Daniel A. Nathan |
| Music by | Frank Skinner |
Production company | Universal Pictures |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 77 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Desert Hawk is a 1950 action adventure film directed by Frederick De Cordova starring Yvonne De Carlo and Richard Greene.
In Arabia, an arranged marriage forces Princess Scheherazade to marry Prince Murad, a cruel ruler. A thief known as the Desert Hawk hears about the wedding and disguises himself as Murad in order to steal the wedding gifts. The next morning, the real Murad appears and, finding the dowry missing, orders his men to create the appearance that the Desert Hawk has massacred the locals.
When the princess learns that she has been tricked, she changes clothes with one of her maids, who is then mistaken for the princess and murdered. The servants, along with the disguised princess, are sold into slavery. The Desert Hawk purchases the princess at the slave market.
Murad, in a bid to consolidate his power, causes trouble by telling the princess's father that a neighbor has been aiding the Desert Hawk.
The princess' father entrusts Murad to avenge his daughter and murdered people, enabling him to pursue the Desert Hawk to try to acquire the princess and power for himself.
Cast
- Yvonne De Carlo as Princess Scheherazade
- Richard Greene as Omar aka The Desert Hawk
- Jackie Gleason as Aladdin
- George Macready as Prince Murad
- Rock Hudson as Captain Ras
- Carl Esmond as Kibar
- Joe Besser as Prince Sinbad
- Anne P. Kramer as Yasmin
- Marc Lawrence as Samad
- Lois Andrews as Maznah
- Frank Puglia as Ahmed Bey
- Lucille Barkley as Undine
- Donald Randolph as Caliph
- Ian MacDonald as Yussef
Production
Universal bought the story in January 1950[2] and the film was envisioned as a vehicle for Yvonne De Carlo. Douglas Fairbanks Jr was sought for the male leadm[3] but the role was awarded to Richard Greene, returning to Hollywood after two years in Britain. Jackie Gleason signed to play a comic support role. Universal contract player Rock Hudson, who had recently earned notice for Winchester 73, was also cast.[4]
Director Frederick de Cordova said that Greene was "everything a man or woman could want in a desert hero".[5]