Raiders of the Desert
It features an early appearance by Maria Montez. It was the first time she made a movie set in the Orient.[2]
Raiders of the Desert | |
---|---|
Directed by | John Rawlins |
Produced by | Ben Pivar |
Written by | Maurice Tombragel Victor I. McLeod |
Based on | original story by Tombragel & McLeod |
Starring | Andy Devine Richard Arlen Maria Montez Turhan Bey |
Cinematography | John W. Boyle |
Production company | |
Distributed by | Universal |
Release date | July 1941 |
Running time | 60 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Raiders of the Desert is a 1941 film.[1]
Premise
Two adventurers, Dick and Andy, jump a ship in a Middle Eastern port, which is benefiting from the development by American businessman Jones. However some local Arabs, led by Sheikh Talifah, wish to take over. They try to assassinate Jone and succeed in killing the local Arab leader. However Dick and Andy lead a fight back which results in Talifah being killed. Dick marries Jones' secretary, Alice.
Cast
- Richard Arlen as Dick Manning
- Andy Devine as Andy McCoy
- Linda Hayes as Alice Evans
- Maria Montez as Zuleika
- Lewis Howard as Abdullah
- Ralf Harolde as Sheik Talifah
- George Carleton as Jones
- Turhan Bey as Hassen Mohammed
- Harry Cording as Rawlins
- Sig Arno as Suliman
- Neyle Marx as Zeid
- John Harmon as Ahmed
Production
Richard Arlen and Andy Devine had been teamed a number of times for Universal. Filming started in early June 1941. Maria Montez was given a role but it was a relatively small one.[3] It was released by July of that year.
Reception
The Los Angeles Times called the film "entertaining" and that Arlen and Devine were "a very happy team... Maria Montez is attractive as an oasis charmer".[4]
The Monthly Film Bulletin called it "a naive story presented in a crude fashion" with "some exciting moments with competent acting".[5]
References
- Raiders of the Desert Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 9, Iss. 97, (Jan 1, 1942): 74.
- Raiders of the Desert at Maria Montez Fan Page
- Schallert, Edwin (30 May 1941). "Tropics Good for Bing; 'Happy Go Lucky' Listed". Los Angeles Times. p. 8.
- Pair Invade Film Desert Los Angeles Times 9 July 1941: 16.
- Raiders of the Desert Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 9, Iss. 97, (Jan 1, 1942): 74.