ENJOYING MY SUMMER HIATUS...

WILL RETURN JUST AFTER LABOR DAY

HAVING A WONDERFUL TIME.

WISH YOU WERE HERE!

Long before CGI, IMAX and all of this generation’s special effects gadgetry, jaws were dropping in theaters around the world when Alexander Korda unveiled THE THIEF OF BAGDAD in 1940. And lucky for us, Criterion has just released a beautifully restored 2-disc edition. Packaging and extras are quite nice (including commentary from Scorsese and Coppola), but it’s the movie itself –drunk on the excesses of early Technicolor and a lush Miklos Rozas score – that matters, and its rewards are many.

It won three Oscars (Cinematography, Art Direction, and Special Effects) for its delirious evocation of this fantasia spun from The Arabian Nights and it’s worth noting that the original UK title was THE THIEF OF BAGDAD – AN ARABIAN FANTASY IN TECHNICOLOR. Whew. The movie went through more directors than GONE WITH THE WIND (three are listed in the credits, including Michael Powell) and features a wonderfully over-the-top Conrad Veidt as the evil Jafeer (think of Addison DeWitt in a turban) and an exuberant Sabu in the title role. Rex Ingram is also on hand as the genie. Technically, it’s a stunner, maybe even a little groundbreaking for its time. And, like THE WIZARD OF OZ and THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD, two other classic storybook adaptations from that era, it also has a pretty big heart.

Don’t miss this one. And be sure to share it with the kids.