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MAX LIEBMAN PRESENTS: THE DESERT SONG (TV)

Summary

One in this irregularly scheduled series of musical comedies and revues. This episode presents a televised version of the operetta “The Desert Song.” The story begins in 1925 in French Morocco, where French efforts at colonization are continually stymied by the local Riff people, led by a mysterious outlaw know as the “Red Shadow.” The outlaws prepare for further conflict, blowing up French-built dams in revenge for them tampering with their water supply (“The Riff Song”). The “Red Shadow,” in actuality a Frenchman named Pierre, works at a café in the French fort, where a number of women at a café discuss the difficulties of life there (“Why Did We Marry Soldiers?”). They are soon joined by the returning soldiers (“French Military Marching Song”). Pierre’s father, the French General Birabeau, visits the café and meets with Pierre, who keeps trying to convince him to make peace with the Riffs, although General Birbeau disagrees. One of General Birbeau’s captains, Paul Fontaine, introduces him to his Parisian fiancée, Margot Bonvalet (“Margot”). Margot and Paul sit down with Pierre and General Birabeau, and Pierre is quite taken with her. General Birabeau invites them to be his guests until their wedding; Margot’s desire to tour the desert surroundings is shot down by Paul, who insists that it is too dangerous for her to travel while the Red Shadow is about. Margot and Pierre discuss her relationship with Paul (“Romance”). General Birabeau holds a gala in honor of Margot (“Azuri’s Dance”), and Paul gets a report from the dancer Azuri, who is working for him as a spy in the Moroccan camps. General Birabeau and Paul are called away to investigate a group of Riff horsemen passing near the fort, leaving Margot alone with Pierre. Pierre tries to get Margot to admit that she doesn’t actually love Paul, and tries to endear himself to her (“Then You Will Know”). Paul returns and announces that he and Margot are to be married that coming Sunday, although Margot is distressed that it is coming so soon. Pierre assumes the Red Shadow identity and asks his lieutenant Hassi to ready the men. He narrowly avoids being capture by French soldiers; Margot is alerted by the commotion and desires to see the Red Shadow for herself. Pierre, still in disguise, manages to find her and tries to convince her to come away with him into the desert (“The Desert Song”). Despite her attraction towards him she does not agree, and Pierre carries her away as she screams for help. However, once they reach the desert, Margot’s resistance falters. At the desert fortress of outlaw Ali Ben Ali (“My Little Castagnette”), a group of captured Spanish women are inspected by Ali for inclusion in his harem. Pierre brings Margot to the outpost blindfolded and she is put into Ali’s custody, much to her displeasure. Ali and his men express concern, believing that Pierre’s actions will provoke the French, but he claims he has his reasons. Ali deduces that he loves Margot and chides him for what he perceives as foolishness (“Let Love Go”). Ali’s lieutenant Sid gives his own opinion (“One Flower in Your Garden”), but Pierre refutes their arguments (“One Alone”). Meanwhile, General Birabeau organizes search parties to track down Margot. Azuri tries to visit Paul, but is brought to see General Birabeau, who bribes her into revealing the Red Shadow’s location. She advises that General Birabeau not to send his troops, but to go alone so as not to incite the Red Shadow’s wrath. Pierre, as the Red Shadow, continues to try to win over Margot, and despite her protestations seems to be succeeding. The Red Shadow is called away to deal with the arrival of General Birabeau while Margot muses to herself, trying to determine her true feelings (“The Sabre Song”). General Birabeau arrives and meets with Ali, who says that he must negotiate with the Red Shadow directly for Margot’s release. He informs General Birabeau that the Red Shadow will take orders from no one unless he is beaten in single combat, a feat thought to be impossible. However, Pierre is unwilling to kill his own father, and when the challenge is issued he drops his sword and allows Margot to return. The Moroccans, ashamed by this display, have no choice but to abandon him in the middle of the desert with nothing but a broken sword. Pierre, broken-hearted, watches her go (“One Alone [reprise]”) and wanders out into the desert. General Birabeau sends Paul and his men out to find the Red Shadow and force him to stand for execution by the French military for his crimes. Azuri tries to get General Birabeau to keep his promise and give her the reward money for leading him to the Red Shadow, and she reveals the Red Shadow’s true identity to him. Paul returns with his men and Pierre, who claims to have killed the Red Shadow and produces his paraphernalia as proof. Margot is beside herself with grief, and Paul is disgusted to learn that she fell in love with him, breaking off their engagement. In private, Pierre reveals to Margot that he and the Red Shadow are one and the same (“You Love Me”), and they embrace. Includes commercials Features an in-studio commercial for Oldsmobile automobiles performed by Lee Bowman and Bob LaMont.

Details

  • NETWORK: NBC
  • DATE: May 7, 1955 9:00 PM
  • RUNNING TIME: 1:29:34
  • COLOR/B&W: B&W Copy of Color Telecast
  • CATALOG ID: B:22926
  • GENRE: Music
  • SUBJECT HEADING: Music
  • SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1954-1956
  • COMMERCIALS:
    • TV – Commercials – Oldsmobile automobiles
    • TV – Promos – “Caesar’s Hour”
    • TV – Promos – “Max Liebman Presents: Promenade”

CREDITS

  • Max Liebman … Producer, Director
  • Bill Hobin … Associate Producer, Director
  • Otto Harbach … Writer, Lyrics
  • Oscar Hammerstein II … Writer, Lyrics
  • Frank Mandel … Writer, Lyrics
  • William Friedberg … Adapted by
  • Neil Simon … Adapted by
  • Will Glickman … Adapted by
  • Sigmund Romberg … Music by
  • Clay Warnick … Music by
  • Mel Pahl … Music by
  • Charles Sanford … Conductor
  • Rod Alexander … Choreographer
  • Bambi Linn … Dancer
  • Rod Alexander … Dancer
  • Lee Bowman … Host
  • Bob LaMont … Host
  • Nelson Eddy … Cast, Pierre Birabeau/The Red Shadow
  • Gale Sherwood … Cast, Margot Bonvalet
  • Otto Kruger … Cast, General Birabeau
  • John Conte … Cast, Captain Paul Fontaine
  • Salvatore Baccaloni … Cast, Ali Ben Ali
  • Viola Essen … Cast, Azuri
  • Earl Williams … Cast, Hassi
  • Felisa Conde … Cast, Castagnette Dancer