Arabian Nights (1942)

The caliph of Baghdad must go into hiding with a group of traveling performers when his brother usurps the throne. Both brothers desire a beautiful dancing girl, who is torn between power and true love.

Director:

John Rawlins

Writers:

Michael Hogan (story), Michael Hogan (screenplay),

Stars:

Jon Hall, Maria Montez, Sabu

Nominated for 4 Oscars.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jon Hall	...	Haroun-Al-Baschid
Maria Montez	...	Scheherazade
Sabu	...	Ali Ben Ali
Leif Erickson	...	Kamar (as Leif Erikson)
Billy Gilbert	...	Ahmad
Edgar Barrier	...	Nadan
Richard Lane	...	Corporal
Turhan Bey	...	Captain of the Guard
John Qualen	...	Aladdin
Shemp Howard	...	Sinbad
William 'Wee Willie' Davis	...	Valda
Thomas Gomez	...	Hakim
Jeni Le Gon	...	Dresser
Robert Greig	...	Eunuch
Charles Coleman	...	Eunuch

Storyline

Dancer Sherazade was told by the stars that she will become wife of the kalif in Bagdad. She tells Kamar, brother of kalif Haroun. He planned a coup d'etat, which failed at first, but supported by the wasir he finally succeeds. Haroun is injured and gets help from Ahmad's actor troupe, where he is nursed by Sherazade, who doesn't recognise him. When she hears that Kamar is looking for her she goes to him, but is sold with the complete troupe of actors to slavery. They're able to escape, but Haroun is still in danger. To save him, Sherazade agrees to poison Kamar, but Haroun tries to establish his rulership first.

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Plot Keywords:

dancing | performer | dancing girl | poison | slavery | 

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Taglines:

Dashing Thieves of Baghdad...riding out of the magic and splendor of

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Genres:

Action | Adventure

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 January 1944 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

Arabische Nächte

Filming Locations:

Kanab, Utah, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walter Wanger Productions, Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Film debut of Acquanetta.

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Quotes

Scheherazade: I would swear I have seen this man before. But where?
Ali Ben Ali: Maybe in your dreams.

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Connections

Featured in The Universal Story (1995)

User Reviews

action-packed adventure

This action-packed adventure film is worth a watch, but it is not exactly a memorable film, and the story line suffers - secondary to all of the action taking place. (The basic summary is about a man who ends up getting revenge and banding together with some close friends, including a slave girl who is his love interest.) It is a fun film, and the picture (shot in Technicolour) is beautiful. (Excellent landscapes, colourful costumes, and much more come to life in the vibrant colour that this film was shot in.) If you want to watch something fun that doesn't require much thinking, then this movie won't let you down.

5/10