THE GOLDEN BLADE (1953)
Article #1653 by Dave Sindelar
Viewing Date: 9-23-2005
Posting Date: 2-20-2006
Directed by Nathan Juran
Featuring Rock Hudson, Piper Laurie, Gene Evans

A young man from Basra named Haroun vows to avenge his slain father. In his quest, he comes upon a sword that makes him invincible.

No, you won’t want to confuse this movie with Bert I. Gordon’s THE MAGIC SWORD. This is an Arabian Nights movie with its most interesting aspect being that the sword of the title (which isn’t really used all that much) ends up being stuck in a wall and playing something of the same role that Excalibur plays in the King Arthur legends. George Macready makes a fine villain (and when doesn’t he?), Piper Laurie is suitably cute (and what princess in an Arabian Night movie isn’t?), it’s all very colorful (and what Arabian Nights epic isn’t?), but the best thing about it is Rock Hudson’s performance, as he manages to strike just the right balance between seriousness and fun. It’s actually quite well done and may be one of the better movies of this ilk, but to be honest, I’ve pretty much had my fill of Arabian Nights adventures at this point, and unless one pops up with an unusually compelling plot (which this one doesn’t have) or has the presence of someone like Harryhausen (ditto), I’m afraid I’ll be a little bored by it. Incidentally, one of the handmaidens to the princess is Anita Ekberg.