A huge production; just the height of William Cameron Menzies' sets is staggering. (As a minor carp I did notice that all the streets and floors in Bagdad are completely flat, giving it all a slightly artificial feeling.) Let alone all the artful mechanics that make those great gates open and close.
The acting - particularly Fairbanks - is of the theatrical overdone big gestures sort, but there's no arguing with his agility and athleticism. (I daresay seeing him spend the entirety of the film topless might have encouraged the odd woman or two to see it.) He was the producer, very closely involved in all aspects of pre-production and production, would rehearse his stunts carefully. Future director Mitchell Leisen designed the costumes. Arthur Edeson filmed it. The makeup's by George Westmore.
Some of Sinbad's 'trials' are a bit much - fake monsters everywhere - but the climax, with his magical summoning of a huge army, and the magic carpet flight over the crowds, still work. It's a fun film.
Other colour tints were available:
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| With Julanne Johnston |
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| Sojin Kamiyama strangely likeable as evil prince; with Mathilde Comont (!) and Nobel Johnson |
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| Anna Mae Wong in mouse ears up to no good |
That giant ape was a (good) trick - the guards next to it are played by children to make it look bigger.
"Defile" = steep gorge or passage.
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