THE THIEF OF BAGDAD (1940)

Prime, early TechniColor Arabian Nights fantasy, a triumph for producer Alexander Korda who kept it going in the face of war, multiple directors (including Michael Powell), cash shortages, and a mid-shoot move from Britain to Hollywood. The story skips about, as if told by an excited child who'd just rushed home from the cinema to tell you all about Sabu’s little thief and John Justin’s King-on-the-run as they overcome all obstacles. And such enchanted wonders!; with effects that either hold up beautifully (cityscapes!; bluer than blue skies!; pageantry!) or, where technically dated, delight thru color & fancy. There’s magpie method to the mad narrative, held together by the trio of Miklós Rózsa’s score; acting turns topped by Sabu’s charm offensive heroism and Conrad Veidt’s deadly glamor as villain; and the look of the thing as designed by co-producer William Cameron Menzies*, drawn by Vincent Korda and caught by lead cinematographer Georges Périnal. Criterion’s 2008 restoration is almost good enough, color slightly understated (to match the British release?) and with occasional TechniColor registration issues. Still, probably the best yet seen. So too this version of the story.

DOUBLE-BILL: *Menzies the one creative holdover from the famous 1924 Doug Fairbanks/Raoul Walsh silent version. (see below)