The Desert Song 1953 Kathryn Grayson Gordon MacRae (region 2)

Lovely musical

I have wanted this movie on DVD for years, only previously having it on VHS. I can only give four stars as although it's one of my favourite operettas, I don't think it was particularly well made. It's a pity that Cinemascope was only in it's early stages in the same year, 1953, that Warner's made this picture, it would have made a big difference and it could have done with a bit more cash spent on it. I read that Gordon MacRae wasn't happy with the film's result and he doesn't look nearly as comfortable in this as he did in his previous and subsequent films, he only made one more film for Warner Bros and asked to be released early from his seven years contract to pursue Oklahoma. MacRae was never considered a particularly great actor but listening to some of the lines they gave him in this, I doubt anyone could have done much better. The script is banal and watered down to suit early 1950's expectations and appears too bland. At least some of it appears to have been filmed somewhere on location, and not all in the studio. On the plus side, I do think Gordon MacRae was the best singer Hollywood ever had, he just had a bad script here. He sings the songs magnificently although I think Kathryn Grayson is perhaps miscast. There's no chemistry between the two, at least not like he had with Doris Day and Shirley Jones. Raymond Massey is always good, as is Steve Cochran and even Dick Wesson who plays a bumbling journalist is quite fun, although I don't think his character was in the original story. Some of the story has been changed apparently but I haven't seen an original show as it's too long ago. On the whole it's quite entertaining but it's the songs that are really worth waiting for, particularly MacRae's.

I enjoyed the film years ago and I still like it today, the music is still very listenable and pleasant.

This is most enjoyable to watch and the music is great . I had the video of this musical and have waited a long time to find it on DVD and I shall be watching it many times. If you love musicals I can recommend this one.

Having been in the stage version of the Desert song. Twice playing the part of luitenant la verne. I was disappointed that there was no mention of the Red Shadow. And that the stirring legionnaires marching song.Did you call for soldiers true. For gallant fighting men of France. Had been cut. Both lead singers were Brilliant. But felt that Gordon Mc Crea could have been a little more forceful as the leader of the Riffs.Over. all well worth adding to your collection of musicals.

Fairly good, picture dark and a little soundCrackling but thoroughly enjoyable songs

Sealed Region 2 DVD in colour WB Archive Collection "The New Desert Song" of the 1952 film. Very good quality picture and strong sound. Gordon MacRae stars in great voice (3 years before his most well-known film "Oklahoma" with songbird Shirley Jones) with Kathryn Grayson in confident form, but not quite as sweet-sounding as her glorious predecessor Deanna Durbin in "Can't Help Singing". Very enjoyable especially to see it in colour on Dvd rather than years ago on Black/White TV. (sold by "wmdservices" via Amazon).

A very enjoyable movie. For a 1953 movie the quality of sound was surprisingly good. The singing of Kathryn Grayson andGordon McRae is a joy, clear and strong in good old-fashioned romantic settings. Visually, the movie was of high quality.The story and the settings appealed to me. A much better story and more realistic locations than the 1946 movie.The wonderful voices of Gordon McRae and Kathryn, good sound , and visually good ,makes for a most enjoyable experience.I am still singing One Alone and Blue Heaven.