This week’s mystery movie was the 1927 United Artists picture “Two Arabian Knights,” with William Boyd, Mary Astor, Louis Wolheim, Ian Keith, Michael Vavitch, M. Visaroff, Boris Karloff, De Witt Jennings, Nicholas Dunaev, Jean Vachon and Denis D’Auburn. Screenplay by Wallace Smith and Cyril Gardner, from the story by Donald McGibeny, continuity by James O’Donohue, titles by George Marion Jr., art direction by William Cameron Menzies, photography by Antonio Gaudio, technical direction by Ned Herbert Mann, interior decorations by Casey Roberts, assistant director Nate Watt, editing by Douglas Biggs, production managers Walter Mayo and Leeds Baxter. Produced by Howard Hughes and John W. Considine Jr. Directed by Lewis Milestone.
Turner Classic Movies in association with the University of Nevada Las Vegas, digitally restored by Flicker Alley, music by Robert Israel, dedicated to Irvin Kershner.
“Two Arabian Knights” was digitally restored by Flicker Alley but has not been commercially released. It airs occasionally on TCM, which is where I got it in 2016, during the William Cameron Menzies retrospective hosted by Robert Osborne and James Curtis. The restoration is quite good, but the nitrate damage is still apparent in some segments.
Writing in the New York Times (Oct. 24, 1927), Mordaunt Hall said:
“Two Arabian Knights,” the current picture at the Paramount Theatre, is a genuinely clever comedy in which the principals scorn the usual fractious tactics and rely on intelligent acting. The two actors who supply the fun in this bright piece of work are William Boyd, the hero of DeMille’s “Volga Boatman,” and Louis Wolheim, a stage and screen portrayer of choice villainy who figured as Captain Flagg in the play “What Price Glory.”
This production has been expertly handled by Lewis Milestone, who has performed his task with a degree of sanity that is most welcome. Who knows but what this photoplay may serve to discourage silly and boisterous efforts and encourage this same restrained type of comedy? This film is filled with splendid photographic effects that have evidently been made at no small cost. Where a number of men are needed to add to the impression of a sequence, Mr. Milestone has not stinted himself, for he shows an imposing array of “extras,” all suitably costumed.
Note: If I had to pick a phrase to describe “Two Arabian Knights,” it would not be a “restrained type of comedy,” but that’s how it was viewed at the time.
I would love to get into the backstory on “Two Arabian Knights,” but it’s a long saga and ongoing.
Here are some links:
Silent Era: Howard Hughes Films Donated to UNLV to Air on TCM
TCM Diary: The Strange Case of “Two Arabian Knights”
Lantern search results for “Two Arabian Knights”
William Boyd (sans gas mask) and Mary Astor (sans veil).
Monday’s mystery gent approves of such goings-on. Whether the rest of the mystery cast approves of his goings-on is quite another question.
Update: This is Michael Visaroff.
For Tuesday, we have a mystery woman. Very mysterious.
Update: This is Mary Astor. And yes, those eyes are a giveaway.
For Wednesday, we have a mystery gent.
Update: This is Boris Karloff.
Brain Trust roll call: Beachgal (mystery movie and both mystery guests), David Inman (Tuesday’s mystery woman), Mike Hawks (mystery movie and Tuesday’s mystery woman), Dan Nather (mystery movie and Tuesday’s mystery woman; your mystery gent is in the movie but has another role), Mary Mallory (mystery movie and both mystery guests), Tucson Barbara (mystery movie and both mystery guests) and Sylvia E. (mystery movie and both mystery guests).
For Thursday, we have a mystery gent. And would you believe it? He does not approve of such goings-on.
Update: This is Ian Keith.
Brain Trust roll call: Tucson Barbara (Wednesday’s mystery gent), Mary Mallory (Wednesday’s mystery gent), Beachgal (Wednesday’s mystery gent), Mike Hawks (Wednesday’s mystery gent), Dan Nather (Monday’s and Wednesday’s mystery gents), Sue Slutzky (mystery movie and all mystery guests), Howard Mandelbaum (mystery movie and all mystery guests), Don Danard (Wednesday’s mystery guest), Sylvia E. (Wednesday’s mystery guest), Benito (Wednesday’s mystery guest) and Thom and Megan (mystery movie and all mystery guests).
For Friday, we have an outtake of Alan Ladd in “This Gun for Hire.” Actually, this is one of our famous leading men.
Update: This is William Boyd.
Also this non-mysterious chap is our other leading man.
Update: And finally, the unmistakable face of Louis Wolheim.
Brain Trust roll call: Tucson Barbara (Thursday’s mystery gent), Mary Mallory (Thursday’s mystery gent), Mike Hawks (Thursday’s mystery gent), Sue Slutzky (Thursday’s mystery gent), Howard Mandelbaum (Thursday’s mystery gent), Don Danard (Thursday’s mystery gent), Sylvia E. (Thursday’s mystery gent), Beachgal (Thursday’s mystery gent) and Dan Nather (Thursday’s mystery gent).
ladailymirror.com 
Richard Alexander in SCARLET DAWN.
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An excellent guess. But, alas, I’m afraid not.
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Eli Wallach?
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A good guess! But he’s a little too easy for a Monday.
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Rex Harrison trying to scare Mrs. Muir?
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I’m sure she would have been terrified! But alas, I’m afraid not.
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John Hodiak?
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An interesting guess. But alas, I’m afraid not.
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I agree with Norman. This guy is definitely channeling John Hodiak.
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Is it Felix Knight?
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An interesting guess! But, sadly, no.
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Monday is M. (Michael) Visaroff I think. Our film this week is Two Arabian Knights.
Tues we have Mary Astor
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I didn’t know our PM used to be in the movies but here goes. Tuesday – Theresa May.
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Best one I’ve heard all week. Thanks!
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Julia Faye for Tuesday?
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Those eyes — Mary Astor?
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Greta Nissen in Lady of the Harem.
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Right era for sure! But alas, no.
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Mary Astor in TWO ARABIAN KNIGHTS.
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For Tuesday’s gal, I’m thinking Mary Astor in TWO ARABIAN KNIGHTS . . .
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And I’m thinking that’s Ian Keith on Monday.
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Mary Astor today?
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On Tuesday, Julia Faye?
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Excellent guess. But….
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TWO ARABIAN KNIGHTS. Michael Visaroff MOnday and Mary Astor today.
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“Two Arabian Knights”
Monday – Michael Visaroff
Tuesday – Mary Astor
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Every once in a while, I’ll be incredibly lucky and get to the movie and maybe one of the actors on Tuesday. Hit the jackpot this time.
I am so looking forward to Saturday and your breakdown on this movie: the wonderful cast combinations story (who would think: the future Hopalong Cassidy and the future Frankenstein monster together!,) the Oscar category story, the Howard Hughes story and the ‘music on a silent film’ story. Will you have enough room to comment on it all?
Also, did you know that the film is airing on TCM next Friday, May 3? Anyhooooo…
Movie – Two Arabian Knights 1927
Monday – Michael Visaroff (I think)
Tuesday – a “keeping herself mysterious for awhile” Mary Astor
This was a great choice.
Thanks
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Boris Karloff
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Boris Karloff.
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Wed we have Boris Karloff
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Boris “THE MAN” Karloff.
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Ah yes, there he is — Boris Karloff today. And I’m going to guess Michael Visaroff for Monday.
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The movie is Two Arabian Knights. Monday – Michael Visaroff, Tuesday – Mary Astor, Wednesday – Boris Karloff.
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TWO ARABIAN KNIGHTS:
Monday: Michael Visaroff
Tuesday: Mary Astor
Wednesday: Boris Karloff
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Is the man on board a young Boris Karloff? Sure looks like him.
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Wednesday is a very young Boris Karloff.
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Boris Karloff?
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Our movie is Two Arabian Knights with Michael Visaroff for Monday, Mary Astor for Tuesday, and Boris Karloff for today,
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Ian Keith
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Ian Hunter.
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Oops, meant Ian Keith. Do you know why the blog isn’t showing how many times posts have been shared? I don’t see shares on either mac or pc, even after reloading.
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Ian Keith.
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Ian Keith?
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Ian Keith.
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I don’t think I’ve ever seen a photo of this chap so young, but it sure looks like Ian Keith on Thursday.
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Thursday – Ian Keith (gotta love the hat)
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Thurs is Ian Keith.
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Is Thursday’s Mystery Man a young Ian Keith? Kinda looks like him.
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Ian Keith on Thursday. I think I have it right today!
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William Boyd and Louis Wolheim.
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William Boyd and Louis Wolheim.
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William Boyd and Louis Wolheim
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William Boyd and Louis Wolheim.
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William Boyd, Louis Wolheim.
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For Friday – our stars are William Boyd and Louis Wolheim
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Two Arabian Knights. Finally recognize a familiar face: Louis Wolheim.
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Friday’s #1 mystery guy must be William Boyd and our #2 (mug shot) guy is Louis Wolheim.
Looking forward to Saturday’s breakdown and Mary Astor sans veil.
This was a lot of fun.
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Wolheim was memorable in ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT. Sad that he died relatively young.
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