Kismet
About Kismet
In one day in Baghdad, the beggar Hajj cheats, robs, and tries to kill the Caliph. The Caliph, Abdullah, walks the streets as a gardener and has been courting Hajj's daughter Marsinah, who does not know who he is. She is delivered to the vizier's house. Hajj, posing as another man, gets in with Abdullah, stabs the vizier, and drowns him. Abdullah reveals himself and marries Marsinah. Hajj swears he will go to Mecca, then falls asleep on the mosque steps where the day began.
Cast & crew
More about Kismet
Louis J. Gasnier directed. Charles E. Whittaker wrote the scenario from Edward Knoblock's 1911 play. Tony Gaudio, Glen MacWilliams, and Joseph du Bray photographed it. Carl Edouarde wrote the music. Waldorf Film Corporation made it. Robertson-Cole released it on 14 November 1920, in five reels. A timed copy runs 88 minutes 58 seconds. Otis Skinner plays Hajj, his stage part. Elinor Fair plays Marsinah. Leon Bary plays Caliph Abdullah. Rosemary Theby plays Kut-al-Kulub.
Themes
Making
Gasnier filmed Knoblock's one-day Baghdad play with Skinner repeating Hajj. Kennedy's Boston opening was the New England launch.
Look
Tony Gaudio, Glen MacWilliams, and Joseph du Bray photographed the streets, the prison, and the vizier's house.
Music
Carl Edouarde wrote the score.
Preservation
A print survives. Grapevine Video released it on VHS.
Notes
- Cornelia Otis Skinner, the star's daughter, plays a small part.
- Joseph P. Kennedy handled New England and opened it in Boston.
- Nicholas Dunaew plays Nasir. Herschel Mayall plays Jawan. Marguerite Comont plays Nargis.
- Skinner played Hajj again in a 1930 talkie. That picture is lost. Its Vitaphone discs survive.
- Grapevine Video issued this 1920 film on VHS.
Scenes
- Abdullah, dressed as a gardener, courts Marsinah.
- Hajj drowns the vizier.
- Hajj sleeps on the mosque steps.
Influenced by
- Edward Knoblock's Kismet
Influenced
- Kismet (1930)
Also available
- Wikimedia Commons (Kismet (1920).webm)
- Grapevine Video VHS
