Review of Salome (1953) by Gregory M — 27 Oct 2016

With her alabaster skin, apple-red cheeks and hair of spun gold, Rita Hayworth probably doesn't spring to mind when thinking of a typical Mediterranean beauty and so makes for an unbelievable Salomé.

As she shimmies her way, all angular tits and chiffon, through the climatic dance of the seven veils to the obvious delight of a slavering Charles Laughton, poor Rita really seems to have lost any shred of dignity she had been clinging on to.

Salomé was churned out of the 1950s studio system as part of that eras love affair with the biblical epic. This is one that falls resolutely into the "so bad it's good" category. Whether it be the uncannily clean streets of ancient Galilee, the overtly polite rioting masses or Stewart Granger's concrete hairdo, this movie is so ripe for parody and had me in stitches throughout.

The cast give a masterclass in how to ham things up. Champion of the technique has to be Judith Anderson as the scheming Queen Herodias who is still giving us her Mrs. Danvers. However, mention must also be made of the unhinged performance given by Alan Badel as John the Baptist.

In his costume made of two sheepskin rugs, bad wig and unnerving stare he delivers some cringe-making dialogue with the utmost conviction. After seeing him in this, I now know where Monty Python got their inspiration from.

This is a gloriously ludicrous film which makes no attempt at accuracy and any sense of drama is purely coincidental.