Watch Kismet

Kismet, released in 1955, is a colorful musical set in ancient Baghdad. The film, directed by Vincente Minnelli and produced by Arthur Freed, stars Howard Keel in the lead role, Ann Blyth as his love interest, and Dolores Gray as a seductive thief. The story follows the adventures of Hajj, a poor poet who is obsessed with winning the heart of a beautiful princess named Marsinah. Desperate to impress her, Hajj pretends to be a wealthy prince, and with the help of a few clever tricks, he manages to fool everyone in the kingdom, including the powerful Wazir.

However, things get complicated when Hajj falls in love with Marsinah and realizes that he can no longer keep up the facade. Meanwhile, the Wazir's jealous wife Lalume, who is infatuated with Hajj, becomes determined to expose his true identity and ruin his reputation.

Despite the central romance, Kismet is full of lively songs, colorful costumes, and energetic dance numbers. The most famous tune from the film is probably "Stranger in Paradise," a ballad based on a theme by Alexander Borodin. Other memorable songs include "Fate" and "Baubles, Bangles, and Beads," which was later covered by Peggy Lee and became a hit in its own right.

In addition to the main characters, Kismet also features a colorful cast of supporting players, including Sebastian Cabot as the sly thief Jawan, Jay C. Flippen as the bumbling police chief, and Monty Woolley as the Caliph, who takes a liking to Hajj's poetry.

Overall, Kismet is a delightful musical that offers a fun and fanciful glimpse into a bygone era. With its catchy songs, exotic setting, and charming performances, it is sure to entertain audiences both young and old.

Kismet is a 1955 adventure movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 53 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3.