FAZIL is a slow paced film about an Arab prince falling in love with a French blonde bombshell. The culture difference between modern Paris and the old culture of the primitive hot desert makes marriage life difficult for the characters played by Charles Farrell and Norwegian blonde Greta Nissen. FAZIL was distributed as the sound era was breaking its silence and the film seems a bit old fashion for its time. But Fazil has some beautiful close ups of its stars and the music throughout is moody. Worth seeing for Howard Hawks direction and a glimpse of Nissens beauty. Apparently Hawks had problems convincing Farrell and Nissen to make their love scenes more steamy. So he toke them both aside and told them separately to get busy. The advice paid off. Next project for Greta Nissen was as leading lady in Howard Hughs HELLS ANGELS which first was filmed as a silent. He decided to re-shoot the dialog with sound but Nissens heavy Norwegian accent did not fit the role as an English Lady. She was replaced by newcomer Jean Harlow. FAZIL was thought lost, but has surfaced and become in demand at various film festivals.
