The music for the operetta was composed by Sigmund Romberg. The book and the lyrics were written by Oscar Hammerstein II, Otto Harbach, Frank Mandel, and Laurence Schwab. Writers for the television adaptation were William Friedberg, Will Glickman and Neil Simon. First telecast live in the United States on May 7, 1955, the conductor for the production was Charles Sanford - while the choreographer for all of the dances and musical segments was Rod Alexander. Due to the time constraints for the live telecast, the television version had to be abridged and adapted and it is therefore slightly different from the original operetta. It was made two years after the film version of The Desert Song with Gordon MacRae and Kathryn Grayson.
The television version features the only surviving footage of Nelson Eddy in a complete live musical.[1][2]
Max Liebman Presents was a United States series of spectaculars - presenting full musicals, plays or revues in live telecasts on NBC (from 1954 to 1956). The Desert Song was the fifteenth live broadcast of the series.[2][3]
Plot
French efforts to turn Morocco into a modern colony are balked by a native Riff rebellion, led by the mysterious Red Shadow. Unknown to all, including his own father, the daring and fearless rebel leader is none other than Pierre, the unassuming son of the French commanding officer, General Birabeau. At the French military outpost, Pierre effectively conceals his Red Shadow identity by assuming a meek persona.
Pierre loves the lively and adventurous Margot. However Margot, who wants excitement in her life, only thinks of the likable, mild-mannered Pierre as a friend. So Pierre, in his disguise as the Red Shadow, kidnaps Margot and takes her to the desert fortress of Ali Ben Ali, Caid of the Riff tribe. It is here that the Red Shadow declares his love for Margot, and where Margot falls in love with the Red Shadow, despite not knowing his true identity.
When the Red Shadow refuses to fight a duel with General Birabeau, he loses the respect of his men and is banished to the desert. The Red Shadow's true identity is then revealed to the General and Margot, and all ends happily.
Cast members
Pierre Birabeau / the fearless Red Shadow, leader of the Riffs — Nelson Eddy
"My Little Castagnette" — women's ensemble singing off stage, accompanying dance
"Let Love Go" — Ali Ben Ali
"One Flower In Your Garden" — Hassi
"One Alone" — Red Shadow
"The Sabre Song" — Margot
"One Alone" (reprise) — Red Shadow
"French Military Marching Song" (reprise) — Paul, soldiers and soldiers' wives
"The Desert Song" (reprise) — Pierre, Margot
"One Alone" (reprise) — sung by the entire company during the closing credits
Dances
Arabian dance — a woman dancer (name unknown - uncredited)
French dance — some soldiers' wives, with Moroccan men as their partners, before the soldiers return from the desert
Azuri's Arabian dance — Viola Essen with dance ensemble — dance music: Soft as a Pigeon Lands Upon the Sand
The Desert Song Ballet — Bambi Linn and Rod Alexander in pas de deux as the Red Shadow and Margot — dance music: The Desert Song
Spanish dance — Felisa Conde with women dance ensemble — dance song: My Little Castagnette (sung off-stage)
Another Azuri Arabian dance — Viola Essen with dance ensemble — dance music: One Alone
Broadcast
The live operetta was originally telecast on May 7, 1955 on NBC.[6][7][8][9]
Home media
A DVD-version was published by Video Artists International.[1]
Reception
A retrospective review wrote, "The picture is a kinescope (a camera filming a television screen) and the sound is obviously not up to today’s standards. But it is such fun and a must for lovers of the old romantic times when Romberg gave the people what they wanted."[10]
"The Desert Song". dandugan.com. Archived from the original on March 20, 2006. (includes photos and an interview about the operetta with Earl William, who played Hassi in the live telecast)
