Princess of the Nile
Princess of the Nile is a 1954 American adventure film starring Debra Paget.
| Princess of the Nile | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Harmon Jones |
| Written by | Gerald Drayson Adams |
| Starring | Debra Paget Jeffrey Hunter Michael Rennie |
| Music by | Lionel Newman (uncredited) |
| Cinematography | Lloyd Ahern |
| Edited by | George A. Gittens |
Production company | Panoramic Productions |
| Distributed by | 20th Century-Fox |
Release date |
|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $475,000[1] |
Plot
Egypt, 1249: The father of Princess Shalimar has fallen under the spell of the sinister Shaman, who drugs him and tries to keep daughter Shalimar a prisoner. She knows a secret passage, however, and slips away at night to entertain the oppressed villagers of Hanwan by disguising herself as Taura, a popular dancer in the Tambourine Tavern.
Prince Haidi, the son of the caliph of Bagdad, rides into town accompanied by Captain Hussein, his close friend. At the same time, the menacing Rama Khan and his powerful army arrive. Rama Khan is conspiring with the Shaman to overthrow the Hanwan rulers.
Hussein is killed by Khan, and in the confusion, Taura the dancing girl stabs Prince Haidi with a dagger, unaware he is a potential ally. Haidi's wounds are not fatal. As he consults Princess Shalimar's father about how to conquer the invading horde, he inquires about the dancer Taura who stabbed him, unaware she and Shalimar are one and the same.
Rama Khan wants the princess for himself. He threatens to kill villagers unless she gives herself to him. A battle ensues, in which Haidi, who now realizes her true identity, overcomes Khan, while the Shaman also endures a well-deserved death.
Cast
- Debra Paget as Princess Shalimar / Taura
- Jeffrey Hunter as Prince Haidi
- Michael Rennie as Rama Khan
- Dona Drake as Mirva
- Michael Ansara as Capt. Kral
- Edgar Barrier as Shaman
- Wally Cassell as Goghi
- Jack Elam as Basra
- Lisa Daniels as Handmaiden
- Phyllis Winger as Handmaiden
- Merry Anders as Handmaiden
- Honey Harlow as Handmaiden
Production
In January 1953 Fox announced the film would be made in CinemaScope as a vehicle for Marilyn Monroe. They hoped to get Tyrone Power to play the male lead.[2]
References
- Solomon, Aubrey. Twentieth Century Fox: A Corporate and Financial History (The Scarecrow Filmmakers Series). Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press, 1989. ISBN 978-0-8108-4244-1. p249
- FOX SLATES 2 FILMS WITH NEW PROCESS: ' Prince Valiant' and 'Princess of Nile' Will Be Made for 3-Dimensional Screening By THOMAS M. PRYORS New York Times 29 Jan 1953: 24.