Solemplex To me, this movie is perfection.

Matialth Good concept, poorly executed.

Aneesa Wardle The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Sarita Rafferty There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

JohnHowardReid NOTES: Nominated for the following prestigious Hollywood awards: Krasner, Skall and Greene for Color Cinematography, losing to Leon Shamroy's The Black Swan; Golitzen, Otterson, Gausman and Webb for Color Sets, losing to My Gal Sal; Bernard Brown for Sound Recording, losing to Yankee Doodle Dandy; Frank Skinner for Scoring of a Drama or Comedy, losing to Now, Voyager.Universal's first three-strip Technicolor feature, and the studio's top domestic box-office attraction of 1942-43.As for the writing credits, producer Walter Wanger stated at the time of the film's New York release that the story was written by Michael Hogan, True Boardman and Eddie Hartmann from a general outline by Alexander Golitzen. Its only similarity to Burton's classic is the title as Mr. Wanger found the original "dull and dirty".VIEWER'S GUIDE: Adults. The story is certainly silly enough for kids, but they're likely to take it seriously.COMMENT: "The woman whose beauty shames the glory of the sunset" (to quote some of the rich dialogue in this delightfully escapist yet ultra-lavish and regally elegant slice of eye-dazzling fantasy), namely Maria Montez, here makes her Technicolor debut. Shortly to be crowned "Queen of Technicolor", Montez presents an exotically fiery, tantalizingly tempestuous personality, extravagantly costumed, exquisitely groomed. That she can't act for toffee and that her accent is often almost impenetrable simply adds to her more-than-mortal allure. Interestingly, as her box-office appeal was as yet unknown, she is not allowed to dominate the Nights as she did her subsequent films, like White Savage, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, Cobra Woman, Gypsy Wildcat, Sudan and Pirates of Monterey. Here, there's still plenty for Jon Hall and his seemingly acrobatic sidekick Sabu to get their hands on. Turhan Bey, later to take precedence over Jon Hall as the romantic lead, is also in the cast; Leif (pronounced "Life") Erikson and Edgar Barrier enact the villains; whilst some additional comedy relief (the whole film is just one vast howl) is skilfully provided by our favorite (if impermanent) Stooge, Shemp Howard, plus John Qualen and Sneezy Gilbert.The trailer for this one is also a real hoot, the best of the lot. "Bagdad, city of temptations, where ruler and rogue, slaver and sinner fight for the forbidden Sherazad. A story rich and exotic as the East itself!" And that's just for openers. Mind you, the trailer for Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves runs this one pretty close. How about: "See Bagdad enslaved by Hunnish hordes!" or, as the off-screen commentator breathlessly informs us, "see Romance in the shadow of the torture rack!" Cut to hero Jon Hall as he remarks (with a perfectly straight face) to heroine Maria Montez, "I'm curious why a girl so young, so lovely, should marry the ruthless Khan?" OTHER VIEWS: Lush color, attractive sets and costumes and plenty of action, somewhat offset by corny dialogue and juvenile plotting. - G.A.

delta-em With mediocre acting, sets that appeared to be made out of cardboard and very corny dialogue, I don't see how anyone could recommend this movie. While the story of 1001 Nights (or otherwise called, Arabian Nights) is usually fascinating, this retelling, or rather gross distortion, is totally unbelievable and sometimes even boring. While some of the characters had the same names as some of those from the book or other movies, their resemblance to anyone in the original story is virtually non-existent. There were a couple plot parallels that helped the story, but even those could not save this movie. It's very had to believe this movie was nominated for several Academy Awards. Save your money and get the book or at least another retelling, called Arabian Nights, with Mili Avital, John Leguizamo and Jason Scott Lee.

preppy-3 This takes place in ancient Arabia. Something about a handsome man (Jon Hall) and his brother both in love with beautiful Scheherazade (Maria Montez). One is rich and powerful and the other one is poor but really loves her. Who will she choose? The plot isn't really important here. This was made to entertain audiences and giving them colorful mindless escapism...and it does that! It's shot in absolutely beautiful Techicolor--every single frame looks gorgeous. The picture never stops moving, there's plenty of action and a loud pounding score driving things along. As for the acting it's not that great. Hall and Montez are incredibly beautiful to look at but neither of them were good actors. Sabu pops up here and there helping things along. He can't act either but he's so full of energy and youth he's hard not to like. But worst of all is Shemp Howard (late one of the Three Stooges!) playing Sinbad!!!! To say he's miscast is an understatement. Still this is colorful and fast-moving--lots of fun! I give it an 8.

artzau 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.