Arabian Nights

MOVIE DESCRIPTION:

In a harem in a Middle Eastern palace, the guardian leads the women he protects in telling the tale of Halroun-Al-Raschid (Jon Hall), the Caliph of Bagdad, who found himself an enemy close to home in the form of his half-brother Kamar (Leif Erickson), who was ineligible for the throne because of his mother's having been a slave. Halroun and his followers initially put down Kamar's attempt at usurpation, until Halroun's ambitious vizier Nadan (Edgar Barrier) changes sides. In the confusion of the ensuing battle, Halroun is wounded -- spotted by the young acrobat Ali (Sabu), he is sheltered by a group of traveling players led by Ahmad (Billy Gilbert), whose ranks also include a player and storyteller (and, if he is to be believed, former sailor) named Sinbad (Shemp Howard) and a man named Aladdin (John Qualen) who is searching for a magic lamp -- and a dancer named Scheherazade (Maria Montez), who had beguiled Kamar and welcomes his ascent to the throne, because she has been told that she is destined to marry a king. She loves the wounded man in her care, whose identity she doesn't know, but is intent on marrying Kamar, now that he is Caliph. But her plans are thwarted by Nadan, who wants no competition from her in his sway over Kamar, and has arranged to have her killed; but when an avaricious officer (Turhan Bey)instead sells her and the entire performing troup to a dishonest slave trader (Thomas Gomez). From that moment, complications ensue for all concerned, as the new Caliph goes after his beloved, the deposed king Halroun tries to protect her and regain his throne, and Nadan hopes to come out sitting on the throne himself. Treachery and narrow escapes, and even a few thwarted plans ensue on all sides as the hero Haroun has to watch out for Scheherazade and himself from several sides at once, all while keeping his identity from her. ~ Bruce Eder, Rovi

DVD FEATURES:

• Region: 1
• Number of Discs: 1
• Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1
• Screen: Color
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 (Pre-1954 Standard)
• Features:
  • Exclusive introduction by Turner Classic Movies host and film Historian Robert Osborne
  • Theatrical trailer

AWARDS

• Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

•     Nominated Best Color Art Direction - 1942 (Russell A. Gausman, Ira S. Webb, Alexander Golitzen, Jack Otterson)
•     Nominated Best Color Cinematography - 1942 (W. Howard Greene, Milton Krasner, William Skall)
•     Nominated Best Drama or Comedy Score - 1942 (Frank Skinner)
•     Nominated Best Sound - 1942 (Bernard B. Brown)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Cast:

  
       Jon Hall - Haroun al Raschid
       Maria Montez - Scheherazade
       Leif Erickson - Kamar
       Sabu - Ali ben Ali
       Billy Gilbert - Ahmad
       Edgar Barrier - Nadan
       Richard Lane - Corporal
       Turhan Bey - Captain
       John Qualen - Aladdin
       Shemp Howard - Sinbad
       Wee Willie Davis - Valda
       Thomas Gomez - Hakim the Slave Trader
       Jeni Le Gon - Dresser to Sherazad
       Charles Coleman - Eunuch
       Adia Kuznetzoff - Slaver
       Emory Parnell - Harem Sentry
       Harry Cording - Blacksmith
       Robin Raymond - Slave Girl
       Carmen D'Antonio - Harem Girl
       Acquanetta - Ishya

• Director:

  John Rawlins

• Producer:

  Walter Wanger

• Screenwriter:

  Michael Hogan, True Boardman, Jr.

• Cinematographer:

  W. Howard Greene, Milton Krasner, William Skall

• Musical Direction/Supervision:

  Charles Previn

• Composer (Music Score):

  Frank Skinner

• Editor:

  Phil Cahn

• Production Designer:

  Alexander Golitzen, Jack Otterman

• Art Director:

  Jack Otterson

• Set Designer:

  Russell A. Gausman, Ira S. Webb

• Costume Designer:

  Vera West