Salome

Hollywood may not have invented the idea of using sex to sell products, but may have perfected it with this astonishing item.

On the cover we get the eye-popping image of Rita Hayworth as Salome. Those who know their Bible, Oscar Wilde or Richard Strauss will expect Hollywood to follow the familiar story line and have Rita dance for Herod so that he will grant her wish that John the Baptist have his head lopped off.

Well, that plot may have been OK for the Bible or for those decadent Europeans, but Columbia Pictures had other ideas. In this version, the noble girl dances not to slay the Baptist but to save him. (Unfortunately for John, her dancing was more effective when she wanted him dead.)

The most impressive thing about this record (other than Hayworth's chest) is the excellent music by George Duning, although for some reason, the dance of the seven veils music is by Daniele Amfitheatrof. I could do without the shriek at the end of that track, which signifies the entrance of the Baptist's head on a platter. That apparently spoiled the atmosphere at the party, which beheadings tend to do.

When this record came out, it wasn't common for LP covers to feature color photos. Those were generally reserved for the likes of Hollywood stars and Frank Sinatra. Black and white photos and illustrations were the norm until a few years later.

REMASTERED VERSION