The Desert Hawk (1950 film)

The Desert Hawk
The Desert Hawk
	Film poster by Reynold Brown
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	September 5, 1950 (United States);
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.

Plot

An arranged marriage forces Arabian Princess Scheherazade to marry Prince Murad, a cruel ruler. A thief known as the Desert Hawk hears about the wedding, disguises himself as Murad in order to steal the wedding gifts. The next morning the real Murad shows up and finding the dowry gone orders his men to make it appear that the Desert Hawk has massacred the locals.

When the princess learns 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 rounded up and sold into slavery. The Desert Hawk purchases her at the slave market.

Meanwhile, Murad in a bid to consolidate his power stirs up trouble a neighbour, telling the princess's father that the neighbour 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 get 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.^[1] The film was envisioned as a vehicle for Yvonne De Carlo. Douglas Fairbanks Jr was sought for the male lead.^[2] The role eventually went 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 just impressed in Winchester 73, was also cast.^[3]

Director de Cordova said Greene was "everything a man or woman could want in a desert hero."^[4]

References

^ Brady, Thomas F (25 January 1950). "Metro Planning New War Picture". New York Times. p. 20.
^ Hopper, Hedda (Mar 6, 1950). "LOOKING AT HOLLYWOOD: Yvonne De Carlo Finds New Film, 'Desert Hawk,' Has a Familiar Locale". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. B8.
^ "FILMLAND BRIEFS". Los Angeles Times. Apr 5, 1950. p. B9.
^ "Movieland Briefs". Los Angeles Times. 15 August 1950. p. A7.

External links

The Desert Hawk at AllMovie
The Desert Hawk at IMDb

[1] Brady, Thomas F (25 January 1950). "Metro Planning New War Picture". New York Times. p. 20.

[2] Hopper, Hedda (Mar 6, 1950). "LOOKING AT HOLLYWOOD: Yvonne De Carlo Finds New Film, 'Desert Hawk,' Has a Familiar Locale". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. B8.

[3] "FILMLAND BRIEFS". Los Angeles Times. Apr 5, 1950. p. B9.

[4] "Movieland Briefs". Los Angeles Times. 15 August 1950. p. A7.

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