Kismet (1931) is a strange, dusty relic

Is this thing worth a watch?

If you like old, stage-bound movies that feel like they’re trying to burst out of a soundstage, maybe. If you want a tightly plotted drama, skip it. It’s for the folks who enjoy seeing early sound-era cinema struggle with its own scale.

Honestly, it feels like a fever dream of what Hollywood thought Baghdad looked like. It’s got that weird 1930s sheen where everything feels slightly sticky and overly decorated.

The Hajj Problem

Vladimir Sokoloff as Hajj is… a lot. He’s constantly shouting or lurking in corners. He’s got this frantic energy that makes you want to check your pockets every time he’s on screen.

There’s a specific scene where he’s trying to charm the Queen, and the power dynamic is so skewed it’s just awkward. It doesn't land as romantic or even funny. It just feels like a guy who forgot he was in a movie and started doing his best stage impression.

Bits and Pieces

• The sets are huge, but they have that flat, painted look that screams cardboard.
• The dialogue sounds like it was written to be shouted over a crowd, even in quiet moments.
• There’s a moment with some jewelry that lasts way too long. I think I counted three different close-ups of a necklace.

It reminded me a bit of the frantic pacing in The Wild Party, but without the bite. Everything here is just a little too clean, a little too rehearsed.

When the movie tries to get serious, it falls apart. You can almost see the actors waiting for their cue to start moving again. It’s not necessarily bad, just stiff.

I found myself staring at the background extras during the court scenes. Half of them look like they’re trying not to laugh. One guy in the back left is just leaning against a pillar for five minutes straight. Maybe he was tired.

The whole thing feels like it belongs in the same bin as Pension Schöller—one of those films that’s mostly a curiosity for people who like to see how cinema learned to walk after the silent era.

Ultimately, it’s a weird, lopsided little film. It’s not going to change your life. But if you’ve got an hour to kill and don’t mind some dusty, over-the-top acting, it’s fine. Just don’t expect a masterpiece.