[PLEASE READ] The queen to be seen is played by Arlene. Part the bamboo curtain and gaze upon actress Arlene Dahl in clips from the 1953 adventure film THE DIAMOND QUEEN. Set in India in the 17th century, the film chronicles the adventures of French jeweler Jean Baptiste Tavernier (a typically doltish, but hearty Fernando Lamas) and French nobleman Baron Paul de Cabannes (gallant Gilbert Roland) whose mutual object is to obtain a precious gem for the coronation crown of French king Louis XIV. The men spy on, offend, save, scheme and fall in love with Maya, Queen of Nepal—played improbably, but with demure effectiveness by voluptuous Arlene Dahl. Their plans put them in conflict with the romantic Mogul (urbane, restrained Sheldon Leonard), possessor of the unique and covetable blue diamond The Eye of the Goddess.
THE DIAMOND QUEEN—for all its colorful pageantry and settings—is not a rousing adventure movie. The heroes are less than heroic, the villain is a mere sketch, the heroes goal constitutes a ridiculous exaltation of the trivial (capping the crown of France with a jewel?), the few action scenes lack believable fervor, the dialogue is flat and conventional, and—however luscious—Dahls Maya is centuries-removed from the thrilling, provocative female rulers (cf. Ayesha in She) created by preeminent adventure-fiction writer H. Rider Haggard. And how can I resist mentioning that most red-blooded viewers will be sure to regret not only Mayas inexplicable apparel during her shower scene under a waterfall, but also that Tavernier and de Cabannes regard her clad ablution as a voyeurs ideal! (wink) However, the films blue-diamond premise (cf. the Blue Water sapphire in Percival Wrens Beau Geste) is intriguing and curiosity alone will compel most viewers to watch the entire film.
Contributing two unique solo dances to THE DIAMOND QUEEN are Sujata and Asoka, husband and wife specialists in the traditional dances of India. One feathery-fingered clip—of Asoka—is featured here.
In this video, Ive striven alternately to uplift and gently ridicule the promising, but too-often flat material of THE DIAMOND QUEEN—presumably, YouTube audiences will enjoy at least this much of the film.
My original version of this video debuted on YouTube on May 31, 2008, accumulating 11,755 views. It was one of the first videos I ever created for YouTube. With this inspired HD revision, it is now one of my last (for this channel).
My primary incentive for once again uploading this video remains Arlene Dahl. In an (incredibly) exotic role demanding beauty, poise, refinement, and sensuousness, she delivers a flawless performance. Diamonds like Dahl are forever.
IMPORTANT: This is a video of goodwill and great admiration. Questions or comments are sincerely welcome—but only if they are nice, clean, and comprehendible. If you are a professional and want credit Ive neglected to give OR prefer that I delete this video, please contact me and it will promptly be done.
Music credits: paTala; John Barry.
Video dedicated to every lusty, adventurous spirit that responds with great joy to the classic exotica and erotica of films like THE DIAMOND QUEEN (1953) and PRINCESS OF THE NILE (1954).
Duration : 0:10:42
Technorati Tags: Adventure, Arlene Dahl, Ayesha, Bollywood, Classic Movies, Debra Paget, Diamond Queen, Fantasy, Fernando Lamas, H. Rider Haggard, India, James Bond, Nepal, northbreed1, northbreed1a, Princess of the Nile
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