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-Raschid
Maria Montez	...	Sherazade
Sabu	...	Ali Ben Ali
Leif Erickson	...	Kamar (as Leif Erikson)
Billy Gilbert	...	Ahmad
Edgar Barrier	...	Nadan
Richard Lane	...	Corporal
Turhan Bey	...	Captain
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 Scheherazade was told by the stars that she will become wife of the caliph in Bagdad. She tells Kamar, brother of caliph Haroun. He planned a coup d'etat, which failed at first, but supported by the wazir he finally succeeds. Haroun is injured and gets help from Ahmad's actor troupe, where he is nursed by Scheherazade, who doesn't recognize 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, Scheherazade agrees to poison Kamar, but Haroun tries to establish his rulership first.

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Plot Keywords:

1001 nights | arabian nights | two word title | arabia | persia | 

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Taglines:

BAGDAD...Desert Port of Forbidden Allurements!

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Comedy

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1943 (UK)

Also Known As:

Arabische Nächte

Filming Locations:

Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$3,706,000

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$7,528,446

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Walter Wanger Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The artwork shown behind the opening and closing credits was the uncredited work of Mary Blair (1911-78), an artist best known for her contributions to the Walt Disney Studio from the 1940s-'60s.

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Goofs

In the 'city' in the desert, there is a sulphur-crested cockatoo in the harem. This bird is a native of Australia, and not known elsewhere until several centuries later.

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Quotes

Aladdin: [to Corporal] If you have to leave, don't go until you come back.

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Connections

Referenced in Sabu: The Elephant Boy (1993)

User Reviews

Spectacular spectacle

I remember seeing this film when it appeared in 1942, during WWII, a time of tension and uncertainity. It was great escape. The villains were villainous, the heroes heroic. The drama was dramatic and the storyline warm and fuzzy. Seeing it on video has allowed me to revisit that past time when as a child the world was uncertain and it was possible to escape into a costume-splendoured fantasy where the hero gets the girl, saves the kingdom and justice is served. There's nothing ever wrong with that.