Kismet

Unlikely these days that Baghdad would be presented in these mystical, romantic tones, the opening of the 1955 MGM musical based on 1953 Broadway show rather than the 1944 MGM fantasy, introducing Howard Keel as the Poet and Ann Blyth as daughter Marsinah, from Kismet.

Left in the Baghdad bazaar by her impoverished poet father (Howard Keel, not seen) Ann Blyth as Marsinah pretty-much solos the tune, already famous from Broadway, from music by Alexander Borodin, adaptation and lyrics by Bob Wright and Chet Forrest, in MGM’s Kismet, 1955.

Romantically inclined Caliph (Vic Damone) hasn’t revealed his identity though he’s dazzled by Marsinah (Ann Blyth), whom he’s assumed is a gardener, not that it matters much, as they join in MGM Baghdad for the hit song, adapted by Bob Wright and Chet Forrest, in Kismet, 1955.

The "king of the beggars" infiltrates high society when his daughter is wooed by a handsome prince in Kismet (1955), starring Howard Keel & Ann Blyth.