On the Brink of Paradise (/ transl: On the Ruins of Paradise) is a 1920 German 90-minute film directed by Josef Stein and featuring Carl de Vogt in the title role of Kara Ben Nemsi. Béla Lugosi was thought to have appeared in a supporting uncredited role, but this is disputed.
The film was an adaptation of part of the 1892 Karl May novel Von Bagdad nach Stambul and is now considered to be lost. This film was followed by a sequel Caravan of Death (1920), which went on to adapt the latter part of the same Karl May novel (Bela Lugosi did co-star in the sequel, playing a shiek).
Plot
Kara ben Nemsi and his servant Halef Omar come across a group of Persians headed to Baghdad, led by Prince Hassan Ardžir-Mírza. The Persians are attacked by their enemies, the Kurds. Prince Hassan discovers there is a traitor among his people. Kara ben Nemsi offers to help guard the caravan on its journey to Baghdad.
Cast
Carl de Vogt as Kara Ben Nemsi / Abdul Malik
Meinhart Maur as Hadschi Halef Omar / Saduk
Gustav Kirchberg as Prince Hassan Ardzir-Mirza / Hussein Mohammed
Dora Gerson as Dzana Ardschir Mirza
Cläre Lotto as Benda Ardschir Mirza
Tronier Funder as Selim Aga
Erwin Baron as Omram / Jesid Abu Sufian
Beate Herwigh as Hafsa
Fred Berger as Obeidullah
Anna von Palen as Marah Durimeh
Curt Bry as Piano
Helga Hall
Béla Lugosi? (his appearance in the film is unconfirmed/ disputed)