SWASHBUCKLER MOVIES OF DALE ROBERTSON

Though mostly associated with westerns, Dale Robertson managed to squeeze in a couple of swashbuckler films during his Hollywood career.

SON OF SINBAD (1955) – Dale Robertson stars as Sinbad II, son of the original hero of the seven seas.  Vincent Price plays his sidekick, the poet Omar Khayyam, so if anachronisms bother you, stay far away from this movie, because there are plenty more on the way. But Price steals the flick!

When Sinbad is in Baghdad between his adventures he sneaks into the Khalif’s palace to seduce a few harem girls or dancers. This time though, he makes the mistake of exercising his charms on one of the Khalif’s wives, Nerrissa (Lili St. Cyr). Sinbad and his wing-man Omar wind up imprisoned by the angry Khalif (Leon Askin) to await execution.

Also in the ruler of Baghdad’s clutches are the Greek Simon Aristides and his daughter Kristina (Mari Blanchard). Simon knows the secret of Greek Fire (which we in the modern world have still not been able to duplicate), and when Tamerlane and his Mongol armies draw near intent on conquering Baghdad, Simon demonstrates Greek Fire to the Khalif, who wants to use it to drive off the Mongols.

Traitors kill Simon and make off with Kristina, who alone holds the secrets of Greek Fire now. The Khalif agrees to set Sinbad and Omar loose to find and return with Kristina. Assorted action scenes follow, and ultimately the Son of Sinbad joins forces with the Daughters of the Forty Thieves – beautiful women warriors who rob caravans and the like.

After much action, Sinbad, Omar and the Forty Daughters return to Baghdad with Kristina and use Greek Fire to help themselves defeat the invading Mongols. Sinbad marries Ameer (Sally Forrest), Omar marries Kristina and our title character is made the new chief of the Khalif’s Royal Guards, consisting of the Forty Fabulous Femmes. Watch for Kim Novak as one of the Forty! 91 minutes.

LYDIA BAILEY (1952) – Robertson stars as two-fisted master swordsman and lawyer (?) Albion Hamlin from Boston. Anne Francis is his beautiful client Lydia Bailey. Hamlin arrives in Haiti to obtain Lydia’s signature on documents finalizing her late father’s affairs but they both get caught up in the rebellion against France led by THE Toussaint L’Ouverture (Ken Renard). Yes, a black actor plays him, not a white guy in blackface!

Lydia is a very strong-willed woman, and as she and Albion are thrown together to try surviving the apocalyptic action breaking out all around them, she grows to prefer the swashbuckling lawyer (hey, so was Scaramouche) to her French officer fiance. Said fiance is part of the French forces trying to put down ‘L’Ouverture’s revolution by holding onto Haiti until his expected reinforcements arrive.

Plucky Americans Albion and Lydia can’t help but side with the Haitian people as they strive against European Colonial forces, so they wind up aiding the rebels and their friend King Dick (William Marshall himself!). Our hero and heroine pull off some daring strikes on behalf of the revolution while the rebels help them get to the ship that brought Albion to Haiti so they can flee back to the U.S.

The misleading title seems to have helped hide this very enjoyable actioner, which is a damn shame. In addition to the fairly unique setting for an American swashbuckler flick, several black performers of the 50s are in the cast. Alvin Ailey dances, Woody Strode appears, plus we get Juanita Moore, Mildred Boyd, Suzette Harbin, Roy Glenn and Bill Walker!

Who does this movie have to sleep with to get the attention it deserves? As of this writing there are only 8 user reviews at IMDb. 89 minutes of escapist fun.