Arabian Nights (1942)

A Great Old Style Spectacle

I've always been a sucker for, "Old Hollywood" movies, with all their grandeur, great costumes, and pomp. Arabian Nights was a wonderful trip down memory lane to a movie I last saw on Bill Kennedy at the Movies, many, many years ago.

This is a 1942 gloriously technicolor movie that was just what America needed to take it's mind off our boys fighting in WWII. It starts off in a harem, where an older gentleman is sleeping/ snoring when he is supposed to be teaching the ladies in a harem a story. When he finally awakens, the story that is unvieled is about a beautiful dancer named, "Sherazda" who sends a spurned lover off on what she thinks is an unattainable quest...to become the Caliph. Little does she know he is the brother of the Caliph and does exactly that.

Sherazada is breath-takingly played by Maria Montez, who can chill or warm a man with one look from her eyes. The girl has got it goin' on. She is a member of a traveling circus and it was foretold to her that she would marry into royalty and reign. Joining her in the circus is a wonderful diverse cast of characters, including, I was excited to see, the man who played, "Shemp" in the three stooges, and a gifted young actor named, "Sabu".

While doing what we would now call a, "pyramid", with Sabu on the very top, Sabu ( Ali ) sees the good Caliph shot with an arrow ( his brother had taken Sherazada's words to heart and started to take over the kingdom ). Jon Hall plays Haroun-Al-Roschid, the good Caliph, and he and his would be assassin tumble a couple of stories to the ground. Sabu sees this while performing and comes to Jon's rescue. Sabu hides the true Caliph's identity, knowing that the Caliph's brother would continue to hunt him down. Sabu removes the Caliph's ring and places it on his would be assissin's finger ( the assissin's face was smashed beyond recognition during the fall, thus ensuring that the Claiph's brother would think that the Caliph was dead ).

Jon's wound is tended to by Sabu and his fellow circus comrades, the only one knowing his true identity being Sabu ( Ali ). Though Sherazada wants her foretold future, she is drawn to Jon's honorableness and loyalty and begins to fall in love with him. He too feels himself falling, even though he knows this woman was what triggered his brother to try and usurp and kill him.

What follows is a great adventure with betrayals, horse chases and laughs. The acting occasionally is a bit over the top, thus the 4 out of 5 stars, but it was still a really fun, carefree way to spend a few minutes of my day.
October 3, 2008

Not the 'Thief of Bagdad'

Not by a long shot. Actually quite boring in spots. Nice to look at but not as much of the type of fantasties I am used to from this period. August 17, 2008

John and Maria in Techicolor

Mindless, five-star fun in dazzling color! If you need to let go of some stress, worries or the urge to think, don't miss this perfect antidote to the world of 2008. Only topped by Cobra Woman which is sadly and mysteriously unavailable. July 31, 2008

Arabian Nights of Yesteryear

Classic tale via Hollywood before oil and politics and tech-savvy were on our minds. Engaging romantic and spirited escapism in the exotic moods of the Casbah, the Caliphate and the Carpet! June 30, 2008

Love the Technicolor Queen

This movie is really a classic and besides been from the 1940's they have good special effects. It was a movie i used to watch as child, i used to love all the old classic movies, today is my passion.
I loved all the costumes.

By the way a clarification on a previous review.
Maria Montez was from the Dominican Republic, from the city of Barahona, not from South America.

As Dominican myself i'm very proud of what she acomplished and really sad of her passing so young.
I'll recommend this to anyone that likes oldies or classics. March 3, 2008

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