Chu Chin Chow (1934)

Director:

Walter Forde

Writers:

Oscar Asche (play)
Edward Knoblock (screenplay) ...
(more)

Release Date:

21 September 1934 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Fantasy | Musical | Romance

Tagline:

Mighty Arabian Nights of Splendor and Adventure! (USA re-release poster)

Plot:

Musical retelling of the "Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves" Arabian Nights tale.

Plot Keywords:

Brother | Cave | Arabian Nights | Spy | Violence

Cast

George Robey	...	Ali Baba
Fritz Kortner	...	Abu Hasan
Anna May Wong	...	Zahrat
John Garrick	...	Nur-al-din Baba
Pearl Argyle	...	Marjanah, servant girl
Malcolm 'Mr. Jetsam' McEachern	...	Abdullah, Kassim's major-domo (as Jetsam)
Dennis Hoey	...	Rakham, chief henchman
Sydney Fairbrother	...	Mahbubah Baba, Ali's wife
Laurence Hanray	...	Kasim Baba
Frank Cochrane	...	Mustafa
Thelma Tuson	...	Alcolom Baba, Kassim's wife
Francis L. Sullivan	...	The Caliph (as Francis Sullivan)
Gibb McLaughlin	...	The Caliph's Vizier
Kiyoshi Takase	...	Entertainer at Feast (as Kyoshi Takase)

Directed by
Walter Forde

Writing credits
Oscar Asche		(play)
Edward Knoblock		(screenplay) and
L. du Garde Peach		(screenplay) and
Sidney Gilliat		(screenplay)

Produced by
Michael Balcon	....	producer
Phil C. Samuel	....	assistant producer (uncredited)

Original Music by
Hubert Bath		(uncredited)

Cinematography by
Mutz Greenbaum		(as M. Greenbaum)

Film Editing by
Derek N. Twist		(as D.N. Twist)

Art Direction by
Ernö Metzner

Costume Design by
Cathleen Mann

Production Management
Victor Peers	....	unit production manager

Sound Department
A. O'Donoghue	....	sound recordist (as A.C. O'Donoghue)

Camera and Electrical Department
Cyril J. Knowles	....	assistant camera (uncredited)

Editorial Department
Lionel Hoare	....	assistant editor (uncredited)

Music Department
Hubert Bath	....	conductor
Louis Levy	....	musical director
Hubert Bath	....	music arranger (uncredited)

Other crew
Anton Dolin	....	choreographer
Roy Ward Baker	....	runner (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Gainsborough Pictures

Distributors

• Gaumont British Distributors (1934) (USA) (theatrical)
• Gaumont British Picture Corporation of America (1934) (USA) (theatrical)
• Lippert Pictures (1953) (USA) (theatrical) (retitled re-release)
• VCI Entertainment (2005) (USA) (DVD)

Also Known As:

"Ali Baba Nights" - USA (reissue title)

Runtime:

UK:103 min | USA:76 min (re-edited version) (reissue) | USA:95 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:U | USA:Approved (re-release) | USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Islington Studios, Islington, London, England, UK

Company:

Gainsborough Pictures

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Manchurian Candidate (1962)

Any Time's Viewing Time

This one works in all departments – a 1930's British film of a British stage musical that ran from 1916 to 1920 – the sheer artistry involved in this production disguised the staidly primitive techniques. And the production is breathtaking at times – it shows just what can be achieved with a little money but plenty of intelligence. George Robey, three decades past his Prime Minister Of Mirth heyday was perfect in the main role of Ali Baba. Just in case you ever wonder: even when young he never had a singing voice, it was his down to Earth silliness playing with words that endeared him to British Music Hall audiences.

It's the story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves and his sudden rise to wealth and power, from the finding of their cave and robbing the robbers of their treasures. The magnificent Chu Chin Chow of the title and his coterie travelling to Baghdad are reduced to dust in double quick time, leading to the imposture by Abu Hasan and his Thieves at the court of Kasim Baba. The sets are astounding, probably gossamer but believable. Fritz Kortner as Head Thief is suitably savage, and Anna May Wong (again playing the treacherous insider, as in Fairbanks' Thief Of Bagdad) as his … slave is in a difficult position for the entire film. Along the way are some lovely songs: The Cobblers Song, the incredibly romantic Corraline (sung in the sparkling "moonlight" to every camera angle imaginable), I Love Thee So (languid and atmospheric photography) but especially the gorgeous Any Time's Kissing Time. Robey and Thelma Tuson gave it their all and succeeded in creating the most delicious idiotic/romantic 2 minutes in film history – just look at the slaves laughing in the background!

It's one of the best British films from the decade even so I don't expect UK TV to ever show it again, but it's one I trot out on video to watch every few years with no loss of enjoyment. It might have been better in Technicolor because a lot of people who might have liked it today could be put off by the black and white photography. But if you can sink into the first 10 minutes or so you'll find a little gem worth the taking.