Princess of the Nile (1954)

Wonderful character development!

Just perfect...

If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

This is the movie that made Debra Paget a superstar, and rarely has an actress dominated a film so completely as Ms. Paget does this one. From the moment she is first revealed--practicing an exotic dance, no less--to the the last scene of the film, Paget remains the apple of the camera's eye. Whether dancing seductively before spellbound soldiers, bargaining with duplicitous courtiers, or swinging a scimitar in defense of her people, Paget brings the film's eponymous character to life with a cinematic charisma that is never less than spellbinding.But while the film is generally remembered as a showcase for Paget's incredible charms, it is in fact a fine all-round action/adventure movie. The ancient eastern setting is well-realized, and if the proceedings are limited to certain sets those sets are nonetheless sumptuous and beautifully crafted. The script and direction are fine and the several action scenes are exciting, with quite a bit of effective humor thrown in for good measure. Jeffrey Hunter and Michael Rennie are effective as the story's hero and villain, respectively, and their rivalry builds to a suitable conclusion. There's never a dull moment either, and between the marauding soldiers under Rennie's banner, the machinations of the seedy court shaman, and a den of surprisingly heroic thieves, the plot moves along at a rapid clip to a satisfying climax. An excellent adventure from the days of classic Hollywood, Princess of the Nile is as enchanting as it is exciting and a colorful showcase for the wonderful talents of Debra Paget.

Basic plot: Set in 13th Century Egypt, Princess Shalimar (Debra Paget) wishes to see the band of Bedouin conquerors, led by the ruthless Rama Kahn (Michael Rennie), ousted from her city. While disguised as dancing girl Taura, Shalimar sees an opportunity when Prince Haidi (Jeffrey Hunter), son of the Caliph of Bagdad, pays a visit. Shalimar, Haidi, and a band of thieves form an alliance to fight back against the tyranny of Rama Kahn.Princess of the Nile is 100% Grade-A Saturday matinée popcorn fun. If you're looking for a serious drama or high art, pass on by. Instead, you'll find sword fights, secret passages, dancing girls, intrigue, a young Jack Elam, a young Lee Van Cleef, and a lot of other hokum that all add up to a good time. At 71 minutes, the movie is quick-paced and never drags. And to top it all off, Princess of the Nile is in glorious Technicolor. What's not to love?One of the biggest draws for me is the cast. Rennie is so deliciously over-the-top evil as Rama Kahn. He's easy to root against. Hunter is equally good as Prince Haidi. Paired with Paget, there's not a more beautiful couple. And, then there's Debra Paget. She is the star of every scene in which she appears. Her dance numbers as Taura are . . . WOW! Just . . . WOW!Overall, Princess of the Nile is a winner with me. I've got not problems giving it a 7/10.

Even the Maria Montez/Jon Hall technicolored baubles of the '40s are eclipsed by "Princess of the Nile," Fox's entry in Hollywood's mid-'50s obsession with things Egyptian (see "Land of the Pharoahs," "Valley of the Kings," etc.) Pure, unadulterated, mindless hokum, lavishly produced (low-budgeted, actually, but using sets and costumes left over from "The Robe," this Technicolored spectacle looks like it cost millions). 71 minutes of eye-candy (the plot, having something to do with nefarious derrings-do in ancient Egypt, is beside the point) offers the cinematographer and audiences the delectable sight of Debra Paget wearing an assortment of see-thru veils, most of which hit the ground when she shakes and shimmies thru a slave-girl production number unparalleled in film history. Female moviegoers were not shortchanged: Fox's handsomest young contract player, Jeffrey Hunter, is as photogenic as Ms. Paget, while Michael Rennie lurks around in the background, stirring up evil doings in the land of the pyramids. For those who might think Paget & Hunter can't act and were only hired for their physical attributes, check out their subtle, overlooked, heartbreaking work together a few years later in "White Feather" (another Fox production that has sadly vanished into the realm of "lost films"). "Princess of the Nile" still stands in a class by itself as a cheerfully mindless, breathlessly fast-paced, dazzling testament to the glories of 3-strip Technicolor--and the seductive charms of Ms. Paget (all of 20 at the time). Put this one-of-a-kind kitsch classic at the top of your "guilty pleasures" list, and enjoy. Satisfaction guaranteed!

With looks that could kill, and a willingness to display her charms, Paget's sensuality leaves no doubt as to where her assets lay... She plays a sultry-innocent 13th-century princess who rouses her people to save Egypt from the ambitions of a powerful Beduin (Michael Rennie) and joins her forces with the son of the Caliph of Baghdad (Jeffrey Hunter) to save her trembling throne... She also finds time to fulfill a great deal of exotic dancing... Her luscious legs make her hard to forget!The emphasis is not on the plot, but on the visual pleasure of a great number of beautiful girls in sensual Technicolored costumes...