The Dancer of the Nile explained

The Dancer of the Nile
Director:William P.S. Earle
Starring:Carmel Myers
Malcolm McGregor
Sam De Grasse
Cinematography:Jules Cronjager
Studio:William P.S. Earle Productions
Distributor:Film Booking Offices of America
Runtime:60 minutes
Country:United States
Language:Silent (English intertitles)

The Dancer of the Nile is a 1923 American silent drama film directed by William P.S. Earle and starring Carmel Myers, Malcolm McGregor, and Sam De Grasse.[1] The film was produced in response to the public fascination following the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun in November 1922.

Plot

As described in a film magazine review,[2] an Egyptian Princess is infatuated with Karmet, a Syrian prince who is disguised as a merchant. He, however, loves Arvia, a dancer. The Princess plots to sacrifice Arvia to the sacred crocodiles. Arvia is saved by her father and united to Karmet. The princess weds Prince Tut, who afterwards becomes King of Egypt.

Production

To give the film an authentic historical look, the film used double exposures on detailed paintings with blacked areas where actors would be added, and by filming through transparent painted glass for the background settings.[3] [4] Originally titled Tutankhamen and produced after the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun in November 1922, distributors in belief that public interest in the Egyptian king had waned requested a change in the title and plot.[5] As a result, the film was edited to change its focus from Prince Tut to the dancer Arvia.[5]

Preservation

With no copies of The Dancer of the Nile located in any film archives,[6] it is a lost film.

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. Munden p. 162
  2. Pardy . George T. . Feature Previews: The Dancer of the Nile . Exhibitors Trade Review . 15 . 3 . 24 . Exhibitors Review Publishing Corporation . 15 December 1923 . New York . 27 April 2022.
  3. Cortlett pp. 231-34
  4. Bryan p. 137
  5. Corlett p. 239
  6. http://lcweb2.loc.gov:8081/diglib/ihas/loc.mbrs.sfdb.4563/default.html Library of Congress American Silent Feature Film Survival Database: The Dancer of the Nile