

The Desert Song
1953, English. Directed by H. Bruce Humberstone.
The Best Loved of all Musical Adventures!
Shiek Yousseff, poses as a friend of the French while secretly plotting to overthrow them. Apposing Yousseff are the Riffs, whose secret leader, The Red Shadow, is Paul Bonnard, a professor who is studying the desert, and whose attacks on the supply trains intended for Yousseff keep the Riff villages in food. Foreign Legion General Birabeau arrives to conduct an investigation, accompanied by his daughter, Margot. Birabeau hires Bonnard to tutor her, and she is attracted to a Legionaire captain, Claud Fontaine. While the general, Bonnard and Fontaine pay a visit to Yousseff, an American newspaper man, Benji Kidd, discovers a secret way in and out of Yousseff's palace, with the aid of Azuri, a dancing girl in love with Bonnard. The latter is forced to resume his role as the Riffs leader, and kidnap Margot until he can convince her of Yousseff's treachery. But Yousseff's men attack the Riff camp and take Margot prisoner.
- Runtime
- 1h 50m
- Post-credits
- None listed
- Language
- English
- Rated
- Check local
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Where to watch The Desert Song
The Desert Song isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 30 May 1953.
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Cast & crew
- H. Bruce HumberstoneDirector
- Kathryn GraysonMargot Birabeau
- Gordon MacRaeEl Khobar / Paul Bonnard
- Steve CochranCaptain Claude Fontaine
- Raymond MasseySheik Yousseff
- Dick WessonBenjamin 'Benjy' Kidd
- Allyn Ann McLerieAzuri
- Ray CollinsGen. Birabeau
- Paul PicerniHassan
- Frank De KovaMindar
- William ConradLachmed
- Trevor BardetteNeri
- Mark DanaLt. Duvalle
Details
- Released
- 30 May 1953
- Country
- United States of America
- Written by
- Roland Kibbee
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News & fan talk
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The Desert Song: quick answers
Is The Desert Song worth watching?
The Desert Song doesn’t have enough ratings for a verdict yet.
How long is The Desert Song?
The Desert Song runs 110 minutes (1h 50m).
Does The Desert Song have a post-credits scene?
None is listed for The Desert Song. Viewers tag these on TMDB, so a brand-new film may not be tagged yet.
The Desert Song parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
No age rating is listed for The Desert Song yet.
Which OTT platform is The Desert Song on?
The Desert Song isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 30 May 1953. (Checked 11 November 2026.)
What movies are like The Desert Song?
If you liked The Desert Song, try Brigadoon, Salsa, Roustabout.
Who directed The Desert Song?
The Desert Song (1953) was directed by H. Bruce Humberstone and stars Kathryn Grayson, Gordon MacRae, Steve Cochran.