Kismet on AllMovie

This first film version of the Edward Knoblock theatrical chestnut Kismet stars the actor who made the play famous (and virtually his life's work): Otis Skinner. As he had so many times before, Skinner plays Hajj, the Arabian Nights beggar-magician who enjoys the amorous attentions of the wazir's wife. Hajj manages to secure his daughter's marriage to the young caliph, rid the land of the evil wazir, and bedeck himself in splendiferous clothing, all between sunrise and sunset. Otis Skinner was 61 when he appeared in this film, and looks it; he also looked his age ten years later when he starred in the first sound version of Kismet. Nonetheless, he carries off his trademarked role with the energy and aplomb of a man half (nay, one-third) his age. Though primitively directed by Louis J. Gasnier, Kismet was one of the first significant successes for the young production firm Robertson-Cole, which later matriculated into RKO Radio Pictures.