Salomé

The Judean princess in Oscar Wilde’s play.

The court of Herod, the Tetrarch.

Her dance reduces him to a drunken clown, she desires of all things the man who has seen God.

“I will give thee whatsoever thy soul desireth,” says the Tetrarch.

A dark film stage, bare floor, two islands for the prophet in the abandoned well and the court on a raised dais (the high palace wall is seen).

A very great presentation.

J. Hoberman’s absurd remarks in the Village Voice have nothing to do with it, Time Out Film Guide likewise, Variety and The New Yorker and Halliwell are decidedly out of touch.

Ken Russell’s careful studies have provided some especially fine moments.

The great Nazimova.