Kismet


1h 30m 1930

Brief Synopsis

Hajj, a rascally beggar on the periphery of the court of Baghdad, schemes to marry his daughter to royalty and to win the heart of the queen of the castle himself.

Film Details

Genre
Adventure
Fantasy
Release Date
Oct 30, 1930
Premiere Information
not available
Production Company
First National Pictures
Country
United States
Screenplay Information
Based on the play Kismet by Edward Knoblock (New York, 25 Dec 1911).

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 30m
Sound
Mono
Color
Black and White, Color (Technicolor)
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
2.13 : 1
Film Length
8,253ft (10 reels)

Synopsis

Hajj, beggar and thief, schemes with a guide to obtain gold from the famous bandit, the White Sheik, who is searching for his long-lost son; but Hajj recognizes the White Sheik as his enemy, Jawan, and refuses the guide his share; and the guide has Hajj arrested. Mansur, the Wazir of Police, offers Hajj the choice of losing his hand and his daughter, Marsinah, or assassinating the caliph. Saved from Hajj's dagger by his coat of mail, the caliph sends the beggar to prison, where he encounters Jawan, kills his enemy, exchanges clothing, and is released. Hajj is soon again in Mansur's clutches for trying to spirit his daughter from the wazir's harem, but Hajj kills Mansur (Jawan's son) just as the caliph enters. Rather than receiving further punishment, Hajj is released--for the caliph, who has disguised himself as his gardener's son, is about to marry Marsinah

Film Details

Genre
Adventure
Fantasy
Release Date
Oct 30, 1930
Premiere Information
not available
Production Company
First National Pictures
Country
United States
Screenplay Information
Based on the play Kismet by Edward Knoblock (New York, 25 Dec 1911).

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 30m
Sound
Mono
Color
Black and White, Color (Technicolor)
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
2.13 : 1
Film Length
8,253ft (10 reels)

Quotes

Trivia

This film is presumed lost. Please check your attic.

So far, only the Vitaphone (soundtrack) discs are known to survive.

Notes

First National also produced a German-language version, with the same title, in 1931. For information on other adaptations of the story, please consult the entry for the 1944 M-G-M production of Kismet, directed by William Dieterle and starring Ronald Colman and Marlene Dietrich in ^AFI Catalog of Feature Films, 1941-50 .