The Garden of Allah (1936)

44% of critics liked it
(9 reviews)
53% of users liked it
(424 ratings)

Marlene Dietrich stars as the noble Domini Enfilden in this third film version of Robert Hichens' 1904 novel. After caring for her dying father, Domini is told by her Mother Superior (Lucille Watson) that she should go to the Algerian desert to rest and seek sanctuary. On her way to the town of… More Marlene Dietrich stars as the noble Domini Enfilden in this third film version of Robert Hichens' 1904 novel. After caring for her dying father, Domini is told by her Mother Superior (Lucille Watson) that she should go to the Algerian desert to rest and seek sanctuary. On her way to the town of Beni-Mora, Domini meets the ill-tempered and mysterious Boris Androvsky (Charles Boyer), a Trappist monk who has forsaken his vows and also seeks the Algerian desert for salvation. Domini is attracted to this moody monk, but continues on. Her desert guide, Batouch (Joseph Schildkraut), takes Domini to a cabaret, where a riot breaks out during a production number. Boris re-appears to rescue her from the trashed club. Domini and Boris fall in love, marry, and travel to the desert for their honeymoon. There the newlyweds encounter a unit of the French Foreign Legion, whose commander, De Trevignac (Alan Marshal), holds a secret to Boris's past. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 25 min.
Directed By: Richard Boleslawski
Written By: W.P. Lipscomb, Lynn Riggs
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Romance, Classics

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1936 Wide
On DVD: Oct 19, 2004

Critic Reviews

Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
Lacks a fresh point of view and its people lack individuality.
John Hartl, Seattle Times
Just another contract-player time-killer.
Marc Mohan, Oregonian
More a collection of character vignettes than a full-blown story, Garden Party nonetheless shows as much promise for its makers as it gives to its characters.
Bob Strauss, Los Angeles Daily News
Nothing new in writer-director Jason Freeland's Garden Party, then, nor anything particularly insightful about the mercenary business of getting by and ahead out here.
Maitland McDonagh, TV Guide's Movie Guide
It's familiar stuff if you've sampled the vast body of work devoted to LA-dammerung.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The stars talk gibberish in this romantic melodrama as if they have sand in their mouth.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Exotic romance in early three-strip Technicolor with great stars.

Read all 7 critic reviews

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Cast

            Marlene Dietrich as Domini Enfilden

            Charles Boyer as Boris Androvsky

            Basil Rathbone as Count Anteoni

            C. Aubrey Smith as Father Roubier

            Tilly Losch as Irena

            Joseph Schildkraut as Batouch

            John Carradine as Sand diviner

            Alan Marshal as De Trevignac

            Lucile Watson as Mother Superior

            Eric Alden as Anteoni's Lieutenant

            Harlan Briggs as American tourist

            Nigel De Brulier as The Lector

            Pedro de Cordoba as Gardener

            Marcel dela Brosse
            
            Helen Jerome Eddy as A Nun

            Irene Franklin as Wife

            Robert W. Frazer as Smain

            Ann Gillis as Convent girl

            Ferdinand Gottschalk as Hotel clerk

            Betty Jane Graham as Convent girl

            Bonita Granville as Convent girl

            Edna M. Harris as Oasis girl

            Marcia Mae Jones as Convent girl

            Jane Kerr as Ouled Nails Madam

            Leonid Kinskey as Voluble Arab

            Henry Kleinbach
            
            Michael Mark as Coachman

            Louis Mercier
            
            Russell Powell as Ouled Nails Proprietor

            Adrian Rosley as Mustapha

            Bob Stevenson as De Trevignac's Patrol

            John Bryan as Brother Gregory

            Corky the Dog as Bous-Bous

            Barry Downing as Little Boris

            Dave Scott as Larby

            Henry Brandon
            
See full cast

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