SLAVE GIRL

US, 1947, 79 minutes, Colour.
George Brent, Yvonne de Carlo, Albert Decker, Broderick Crawford, Lois Collier, Andy Devine, Carl Esmond, Arthur Treacher.
Directed by Charles Lamont.

Slave Girl is an oddball spoof of Middle Eastern style movies. Its star, Yvonne de Carlo, had appeared in many similar types of movie (Salome where she danced, Song of Scheherazade). George Brent looks rather too old for the hero role - but probably fits in with the atmosphere of the send-up. The supporting cast includes Broderick Crawford and Albert Decker. The most odd aspect of all is the introduction of Humpy the talking camel, who gives zany comments on the proceedings - as well as providing one of those send-up endings.

The film has the usual colour style of studio-made Universal romps.

1. Enjoyable send-up? '40s style? In retrospect?

2. Universal production values, colour photography, studio sets, the cast, the score?

3. The title and expectations? Francesca as a slave girl - or not?

4. The talking camel, the anticipation of Francis the talking mule? Visuals, verbal comedy, comment and parodying of the action? The ending? The camel's involvement in the plot?

5. The background of American presence in Tripoli, the Marines, imprisonment, potentates, intrigues and wars?

6. Francesca, her place in Tripoli, engaged to the chief, her betrayal, the betrayal of her loyalties, her attraction to Matthew, helping, the quest, the battle? Happy ending? Yvonne de Carlo's style?

7. Matthew, his reputation, the senator, going to Tripoli, in charge, success and failures at diplomacy, in prison, the Marines and their attack, the rescue, intrigue, the help of Francesca, relationship with his bodyguard, the fights, the battles, the finale?

8. The bodyguard, the fight with Matthew, supporting him, the stoushes in Tripoli, the battles? The Marines, initial hostility, battling with Matthew?

9. The powers of Tripoli, battles, intrigues, betrayals? The Tuaregs? The battle - and each side killing off the other?

10. Slave girls, members of the court, soldiers - the supporting cast of this kind of desert romp?