The 20 Most Historically Inaccurate Movies Ever

[intaglio]

39. The Conqueror - Starring John Wayne as

Ghengis Khan

Salome - Where she Danced starring Yvonne de Carlo
Synopsis, please be aware that the film makes this even sillier than it sounds.

Just after Lee's surrender an American journalist meets a Prussian officer in Virginia. It is established that the Prussian is an arrogant twit but a deadly duelist.

Scene then shifts to Vienna where the journalist meets a dancer with whom the Prussian has become infatuated. She, in turn falls for the journalist who persuades her to spy on the Prussian High Command of whom the officer is a member. They give the plans they have found to the Austrians who the Prussians are about to invade - but it is hopeless and they have to flee to the USA pursued by the Prussian.

In the USA they start a touring theatre company which debut the exciting and risqué new show called Salome in a lawless Arizona town. The town and the show are held up by a bandit but .... the leader is an ex-Confederate gentleman who is persuaded to give the money back by Ms de Carlo and in her honour the town is renamed "Salome, Where She Danced." Ms de Carlo then takes up with the reformed bandit who leads her to San Francisco.

In San Francisco she falls for a Russian count who gives her many things including funding for her career but ... who should show up but the nasty Prussian. IIRC the final duel is fought in the snow, in Alaska.

I have no doubt that Lola Montez (on whose life this film is supposedly based) was spinning in her grave. It was Lola's performance as Salome that made an Arizona town call themselves by that name.