calum33

This movie has to be outstanding for it has stuck in my mind since I saw it in 1950. I cannot recall it ever appearing on television for I have watched out for it ever since.

There were two good reasons why I enjoyed it so much, the first being the beautiful innocence and beauty of Odile Versois at a time when I was still in my late teens and waiting for my call up. The other attraction of the movie was the French Canals. I suppose I was into all things French at the time having just made my first visit to that country the year before. I may not have been aware of the vast network of the Canals in France, though I had seen a little of them next to the Loire at Roanne.

I see that it is billed as a comedy though that the funniest thing I remember is the Dinghy trailing behind the yacht crossing the English Channel and what is in it. Aside from the attraction of Odile there is the wonderful acting by Jack Hulbert and Michael Wilding.

If only this would appear on TV at least once or turn up on a DVD.

I was drawn to this film because the very name Yemen became a place of mystery in my mind from the time I was stationed in Aden for two years in the early 1950's. Most of the locals I worked with told many stories about their mountainous home. Few people are aware that much of the Yemen has lush green mountains with terraced fields growing produce, especially Qat, or that there are whole villages perched on top of mountain pinnacles.

The reservoir we see in the film is the new Marib Dam which will bring back life to the abandoned arid and stony valley. This land was so lush and green in Ancient days that it was thought to be the Land of Sheba. It certainly provided a living for many people and became famous for its spices. But the Marib Dam walls were neglected and fell nearly two thousand years ago and the desert reclaimed what was once a wonderful land.

I now hope that people will see what a great symbol this film is and appreciate what can be done to maintain life.