A performance in two clips by Iraqi born bellydancer Samara in a white/gold/orange bedlah.
Born in Basra Iraq, Samara moved to Lebanon as a student and took bellydance lessons from Nadia Gamal. The story is that Nadia asked her, ‘Do you want to be a dancer or do you just want the money?’ When Samara replied that she wanted to learn to dance properly, Nadia Gamal encouraged her to practice hard and develop her own personal style.
Naima Akef in an orange costume in a scene from the 1964 Egyptian colour production ‘Amir al Dahaa’. She retired shortly after making this film to care for her child and sadly she died two years later while still in her mid-30s.
The film, which is known as ‘The Prince of Cunning’ AKA ‘The Crafty One’ AKA ‘The Artful Prince’ AKA ‘The Prince of Savvy’ (well, you get the drift I’m sure) is based on French writer Alexandre Dumas’ book, ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’. Starring Farid Shawki, Shwaiker, Naima Akef, Tawfiq Daqn and Mahmoud Morsi. The film is a colour remake, complete with the same dialogue, of the black and white 1950 film ‘Amir el Antikam’ (‘Prince of Revenge’) starring Anwar Wagdy. The dance scenes from that earlier movie were performed by Samia Gamal.
Movie trivia: 1. Farid Shawki who’s the star of this film, had a small part in the earlier production. 2. Both the 1950 and 1964 versions of the story were directed by Henri Barakat. 3. The dubbed English language version of this film was released in the US with the grand title ‘Vengeance of the Desert’. (Thanks to Lynette of Serpentine.)
A performance by Lebanese bellydancer Boushra.
