Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves (Universal Backlot Series)
by Arthur Lubin
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DVD details
Actor: Jon Hall, Maria Montez, Turhan BeyDirector: Arthur Lubin
Brand: NBC Universal
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); English (Original Language)
Format: Color, Dolby, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC, Original recording remastered, Subtitled
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 87 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2009-07-07
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Universal Studios
DVD Reviews of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves (Universal Backlot Series)
DVD Review: Lavish And Colourful Arabian Nights Tale On The Grand Scale
Summary: 4 Stars
I've always been a huge fan of Arabian Nights tales and no matter what age you are they always provide (even if it is only for an hour and a half) a much needed release from the stresses of life. Those exotic tales of far away places populated by beautiful damsels in distress just waiting to be rescued by dashing princes seem to have always been favourites with general audiences of every decade too. Certain performers such as Sabu and Turhan Bey are automatically associated with this genre of film making however on the "B" movie level one of the most loved screen teams in this field in the 1940's were Maria Montez and Jon Hall. Paired in a number of colour filled and exotic escapist yarns far from any reality audiences would ever know, they were the perfect medicine for wartime audiences trying to escape the harsh realities currently being played out in the real world. Maria Montez had the exotic looks that combined perfectly with the very masculine and virile appearance of Jon Hall and despite the limitations of each's acting skills the pair struck an immediate cord with audiences in exotically titled films such as "Arabian Nights", "White Savage", "Sudan" and especially in their biggest hit together "Cobra Woman" (badly needing to be released on DVD!). Here we have one of their best teamings in Universal's lavish "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves" made right at the peak of their popularity and it's easy to see from this production the great faith that Universal Studios had in this acting team. It is a wonderfully lavish production filled with grand sets, a stirring musical score, breathtaking costumes and hundreds of extras all rolled up in a hugely enjoyable romp never for one moment to be taken seriously which is the best way to enjoy it. I have a great affection for this childhood favourite and this superb "Universal Backlot Series" DVD release of the film certainly does it proud.
The storyline as in most of these tales is pure hokum of course which is partly what makes it such fun. After being driven out of Baghdad when his father the Caliph of Bagdad is ruthlessly betrayed and killed young Ali (Scotty Beckett) is forced to flee and finds refuge with the famous "forty thieves" who have a treasure filled cave as their headquarters and are determined to drive out the Mongol Khan (Kurt Katch) who is inflicting terror on their country. Ali grows to manhood (transforming into Jon Hall in the process!) and he sets out with the help of the forty thieves to revenge his father's death by ridding Baghdad of the evil Khan and winning back the hand of his childhood friend, the beautiful Princess Amara (Maria Montez) who has been tricked by her traitor of a father into marrying the Khan against her will. Real Saturday matinee fare is the best way to sum up the appeal of "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves". Of course no one in the cast looks even remotely Middle Eastern (gravel voiced Andy Devine playing an arab thief called Abdullah??) and everyone looks a little too well scrubbed for a story taking place in the desert but put the logistics aside and you are sure to be swept away by this rousing tale. Maria Montez certainly earned her famous title as "The Queen of Technicolour" in this epic and by the time this film came along she and Jon Hall, aided by Turhan Bey in another of his exotic roles, were a well oiled team who combined perfectly together on screen.
Universal's new DVD line being released under the title "Universal Backlot Series" is proving to be sensational in bringing some very obscure and hard to come by movies from the 1930's and '40's back into the spotlight. Although "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves" has been previously released on DVD, this new edtion is really wonderful and a definite improvement over the older release with great care taken on the overall restoration of the film. Colours seem much brighter and vivid and the rousing musical score has never sounded better. In fact the film as presented on this disc couldn't be faulted as it looks like it was made yesterday. The only drawback to this DVD release is the sad lack of any extras to make this deluxe presentation complete. I would have liked for example to have seen a documentary prepared about the screen team of Maria Montez and Jon Hall and the impact they had on audiences in the 1940's complete with some biographical information on both performers as well. I'm also a big fan of the wonderfully talented Turhan Bey and I feel he is also long overdue for a proper retrospective on his highly successful career in Universal's fantasy and horror films throughout the 1940's. This would have made another great extra for inclusion on this disk. Despite this short fall however all lovers of these Universal fantasy films like myself should be very pleased here and the obvious care that has gone into restoring the film makes me hope that more of the Montez/Hall teamings, especially the camp classic "Cobra Woman" will see a DVD release sometime in the near future. While not acting "Oscar" material "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves" is great escapist entertainment and it's excitng to see the film returned to all its gaudy technicolour splendour in Universal's new DVD release in their "Universal Backlot Series". Enjoy!
Description of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves (Universal Backlot Series)
Prepare to be dazzled as all the wonder, excitement, triumph, and treachery of the Arabian Nights come vibrantly to life in Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves! Orphaned as a young child and adopted by a band of notorious thieves, now-grown Ali Baba (Jon Hall) sets out to avenge his father?s murder, reclaim the royal throne, and rescue his beloved Amara (Maria Montez) from the iron fist of his treacherous enemy. Lushly shot in glorious Technicolor® and featuring a cast of thousands, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves is a cinematic feast for the senses to be enjoyed time and again.Bestsellers in DVD
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