Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9679 in VHS
• Released on: 2000-05-30
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Formats: Color, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of tapes: 1
• Running time: 105 minutes

Customer Reviews

A Festive Musical Occasion
This film speaks to viewers straight from the heart, a festive occasion marking a combination of the brilliant music of Russian composer Rimsky-Korsakoff along with beautifully choreographed dancing sequences from famed ballerina Tilly Losch within the framework of a glorious spirit. French star Jean-Pierre Aumont stars as the Russian composer as a young man serving with the Russian Navy. While his shyness is in initial impediment, Aumont becomes aware that his first love of music has a fresh rival in exotically beautiful Yvonne De Carlo, who exercises her dancing skills to the audience's delight. Aumont has spirited competition for De Carlo's affections from his wolfish shipmate, Philip Reed, but when all is said and done De Carlo prefers the more sensitive, less forward Aumont.

The story's action takes place at two points, the ship that is docked at port in Tangiers and the stately mansion where De Carlo lives with her mother, the always scheming Eve Arden at her wisecracking best. With the mansion mortgaged to the heavens, Arden needs to effectively strategize and is more than capable to the task. Male comedy support is provided by Brian Donlevy as ship captain, blustery on the surface but warm and sensitive inwardly. While outwardly complaining of Aumont's problems as a sailor, he is highly supportive, escpecially away from the eyes of those under his command. Eventually he strikes up a relationship with equally wily Arden at the same time when her daughter is enraptured by Aumont's charms.

Walter Reisch, former writing partner of Billy Wilder, directed with a deft touch and also wrote the script. Charles Kullman of the New York Metropolitan Opera entertained with song, giving the film the kind of grand scale of a great operatic production. Along with the brilliant Losch choreography, the costumes blended with the superb color, done by Yvonne Wood, who handled the costuming for the Busby Berkeley classic "The Gang's All Here" starring Alice Faye.

Reisch gave some talented newcomers opportunities in the film. Servant girl Elena Verdugo became a televsion star in the fifties in "Meet Millie" and was later a regular opposite Robert Young in "Marcus Welby." Robert Kendall later performed opposite Natalie Wood on Ford Television Theater in "Too Old for Dolls" and starred on screen as Baby Face Nelson in "Guns Don't Argue." William Ching played the ruthless killer pursued by Edmond O'Brien in the film noir classic, "D.O.A.", and played a Beverly Hills Police detective investigating Humphrey Bogart in "In a Lonely Place."

The blend of technicolor and song along with the exotic beauty and dancing skills of DeCarlo make "Song of Scheherazade" a must see for those who thrill to great musical entertainment.

A beautiful musical story
I was in love with music since I was a little boy. Since then, I heard Rimsky Korsakov's Scheherazade and I was impressed for its melody as well as its oriental feeling. I remember well that one fine day I saw this picture: The song of Scheherazade at the movies. I was still a boy but I said to myself that someday I will have it for myself. I had to wait more than 30 years for that moment. When the commercial videos started, I went to video stores and always asked for the release of this film. It wouldn't happen until last year when I finally saw the pre-sale in Amazon. Now, I think that it worths to wait for something that you want. This movie has spectacular colors, incredible coreography and, mainly, the beautiful music of the russian composer Rimsky-Korsakov each moment. If you want to spend a nice evening with your family, your husband or wife, or even with yourself don't hesitate and get this video as soon as possible. You won't regret it.

Great music and grand film for it's time
Lovely film and I agree with our writers here. I would like to say that I have included a still photo of Yvonne dancing in her finery. It is valuable collectable photo that duh, I collect.
A picture is worth a thousand.............