Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves (Universal Backlot Series)

Such a fun little throwback of a movie. Open sesame :)

Very, very fun movie. This came dangerously close to what my friend Mike called a Universal Studios "Backlot picture" but that was just the opening, it is excitingly crafted with plenty of outdoor adventure, chases, magical little moments ("Open sesame!" stuff). Lots of sword fighting and a plethora of pretty slave girls in danger. Technicolor print on this DVD is amazing sharp and colorful, audio is excellent. English subtitles available. Will watch many times I am sure.

Another of the half-dozen "exotic" Technicolor extravaganzas starring Maria Montez, John Hall and Sabu from the WWII years! Lots of A-list B-movies fun!

good cast in another battle against Genghis Khan by Alibaba and the 40 thieves.

A Maria Montez fun fantasy Enjoy!

I've always loved this movie since I was a teen. Jon Hall is a living doll! Maria Montes is such a lovely lady~ Terban Bey is an interesting actor, 'like him. Plus, Maria Montes' lady servant is beautiful as well, n she looks like a promising actress in her time. Kirk Katch played a great jerk of a mongol tyrant! Lol.. An exciting movie with lots of action n suspense! For years I have always liked this movie!~ It was great to locate it again!~ It's on my list to be watching it again soon~👌

I was very surpised. I was expecting the usual mish mash of the two bros Kassim and Ali Baba, one poor and one rich and the thieves in jars, etc. Instead it was more akin to Thief of Baghdad which was based on the 1922 anime film Prince Ahmed. In fact in many of the Thief films, Ahmed is the name of the prince or the thief in the 1961 version w/ Steve Reeves. I loved the film and the price was much lower than I would have expected for such a rare film.

Any resemblance between the film and the actual story from the Arabian Nights is purely coincidental. The villains become the heroes, led by Ali Baba who is promoted from a simple merchant (in the story) to a prince (in the film) and leads the pack. Add to that Thieves' uniforms that could be spotted across the desert, harem girls in 1940's shoulder pads, and some stereotyping, lack of cultural knowledge and you have a film far less interesting than the original story. It is a fairly lush period piece and should be taken for no more than that.