The Desert Song ( 1953 )

Overview

Shiek Yousseff, poses as a friend of the French while secretly plotting to overthrow them. Apposing Yousseff are the Riffs, whose secret leader, The Red Shadow, is Paul Bonnard, a professor who is studying the desert, and whose attacks on the supply trains intended for Yousseff keep the Riff villages in food. Foreign Legion General Birabeau arrives to conduct an investigation, accompanied by his daughter, Margot. Birabeau hires Bonnard to tutor her, and she is attracted to a Legionaire captain, Claud Fontaine. While the general, Bonnard and Fontaine pay a visit to Yousseff, an American newspaper man, Benji Kidd, discovers a secret way in and out of Yousseff's palace, with the aid of Azuri, a dancing girl in love with Bonnard. The latter is forced to resume his role as the Riffs leader, and kidnap Margot until he can convince her of Yousseff's treachery. But Yousseff's men attack the Riff camp and take Margot prisoner.

Top Cast

Kathryn Grayson

Margot Birabeau

Gordon MacRae

El Khobar / Paul Bonnard

Steve Cochran

Captain Claude Fontaine

Raymond Massey

Sheik Yousseff

Dick Wesson

Benjamin 'Benjy' Kidd

Allyn Ann McLerie

Azuri

Ray Collins

Gen. Birabeau

Paul Picerni

Hassan

Frank De Kova

Mindar

William Conrad

Lachmed

Trevor Bardette

Neri

Mark Dana

Lt. Duvalle

Ben Astar

Sheik

Bhogwan Singh

Old Villager

Jack Tornek

Riff Guard

Cosmo Sardo

Legionnaire

Charles Perry

Legionnaire (uncredited)