The Desert Song (1929): cast, story & where to watch
1929 · Film · ★ 4.5
Released in 1929, The Desert Song is a romance and music film directed by Roy Del Ruth, running about 123 minutes. “Warner Brothers' spectacular SINGING success” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. French General Birabeau has been sent to Morocco to root out and destroy the Riffs, a band of Arab rebels, who threaten the safety of the French outpost in the Moroccan desert. Their dashing, daredevil leader is the mysterious "Red Shadow". Margot Bonvalet, a lovely, sassy French girl, is soon to be married at the fort to Birabeau's right-hand man, Captain Fontaine. Birabeau's son Pierre, in reality the Red Shadow, loves Margot, but pretends to be a milksop to preserve his secret identity. Margot tells Pierre that she secretly yearns to be swept into the arms of some bold, dashing sheik, perhaps even the Red Shadow himself. Pierre, as the Red Shadow, kidnaps Margot and declares his love for her.
Who’s in it. The Desert Song stars John Boles as The Red Shadow, Carlotta King as Margot, Louise Fazenda as Susan and Johnny Arthur as Benny Kidd, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 4.5/10, The Desert Song has proved divisive with audiences. It went on to earn $3M at the box office.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Desert Song page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Desert Song tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Your Name., Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Cinema Paradiso.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Desert Song (1929)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Desert Song change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Desert Song worth watching?
- The Desert Song holds an audience score of 4.5 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy romance and music. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Desert Song?
- The Desert Song stars John Boles, Carlotta King, Louise Fazenda, Johnny Arthur and Edward Martindel.
- When was The Desert Song released?
- The Desert Song was released in 1929, with a runtime of about 123 minutes.