The Wizard of Baghdad

The Wizard of Baghdad
The Wizard of Baghdad
Directed by	George Sherman
Screenplay by	Jesse Lasky Jr.; Pat Silver
Based on	story by Samuel Newman
Produced by	Sam Katzman
Starring	Dick Shawn; Diane Baker; Barry Coe
Cinematography	Ellis W. Carter
Edited by	Saul A. Goodkind
Music by	Irving Gertz
Distributed by	20th Century Fox
Release date	December 1960 (United States);
Running time	92 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$575,000.

The Wizard of Baghdad is a 1960 American comedy/fantasy film directed by George Sherman and starring Dick Shawn, Diane Baker, and Barry Coe. It was released by 20th Century Fox.^[2]^[3]

Plot

A genie turned mortal after his many failures is sent to Baghdad. As his last chance to prove himself, he must help a prince and princess fulfill a prophecy.

Cast

Dick Shawn as Genii-Ali Mahmud
Diane Baker as Princess Yasmin
Barry Coe as Prince Husan
John Van Dreelen as Sultan Jullnar
Robert F. Simon as Shamadin
Vaughn Taylor as Norodeen
Michael David as Chieftain Meroki
Stanley Adams as Warden Kvetch
Kim Hamilton as Teegra
William Edmonson as Asmodeus
Fred Scheiwiller as 1st Wrestler
Stan Molek as 2nd Wrestler

Production

The Wizard of Baghdad was the first film made by Sam Katzman's Clover Productions at 20th Century Fox. He opened offices at Fox in June 1960. (Katzman had spent the past 15 years working almost exclusively for Columbia). The script was written by Jesse Lasy Jr and his wife pat Silver based on an original by Sam Newman^[4] Katzman had worked as a set dresser at Fox in the 1920s.^[5]

It was the second movie for Dick Shawn, best known as a stage actor. Filming took place in August 1960.^[6]

Barry Coe's performance led to Robert Goldstein of Fox signing the actor to a long-term contract with the studio.^[7] The movie was part of Goldstein's short tenure while head of Fox, other movies being made including North to Alaska, The Marriage-Go-Round, Sanctuary, The Schnook, Circle of Deception, The Mark, The Millionairess, Esther and the King, The Big Gamble Return to Peyton Place and Flaming Star.^[8]

Reception

The Los Angeles Times said the film "should fill the bill as pre Christmas entertainment for the children" through "the funny lines, the slapstick and the trick photography."^[9]

The New York Times said the film "is for customers who will laugh at anything, including that singular unfunny man, Dick Shawn... the waste of energy, costumes and backgrounds is truly appalling."^[10]

References

^ Solomon, Aubrey. Twentieth Century Fox: A Corporate and Financial History (The Scarecrow Filmmakers Series). Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press, 1989. ISBN 978-0-8108-4244-1. p253
^ FILMLAND EVENTS: Katzman Company to Film 'Wizard' Los Angeles Times 1 July 1960: 24.
^ WIZARD OF BAGHDAD, The Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 28, Iss. 324, (Jan 1, 1961): 101.
^ FILMLAND EVENTS: Katzman Company to Film 'Wizard' Los Angeles Times 1 July 1960: 24.
^ Stones Preparing New Fire Thriller: Ameche in Return to Screen; Ritz Books Stripper Ann Corio Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times 24 June 1960: A9.
^ Dick Shawn in Hollywood for 'Wizard of Baghdad' Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune 16 Aug 1960: b3.
^ 'Wizard of Baghdad' Pays Off for Coe Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune 13 Aug 1960: n_a8.
^ He Holds Fox Reins: BOB GOLDSTEIN: He Reins Fox Film Empire Alpert, Don. Los Angeles Times 14 Aug 1960: F1.
^ 'Wizard of Baghdad' Pleasant Little Spoof Stinson, Charles. Los Angeles Times 16 Dec 1960: A11.
^ Neighborhood Bill Thompson, Howard. New York Times 4 Mar 1961: 16.

External links

The Wizard of Baghdad at IMDb
The Wizard of Baghdad at the TCM Movie Database
‹The template AllMovie title is being considered for deletion.› The Wizard of Baghdad at AllMovie

[1] Solomon, Aubrey. Twentieth Century Fox: A Corporate and Financial History (The Scarecrow Filmmakers Series). Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press, 1989. ISBN 978-0-8108-4244-1. p253

[2] FILMLAND EVENTS: Katzman Company to Film 'Wizard' Los Angeles Times 1 July 1960: 24.

[3] WIZARD OF BAGHDAD, The Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 28, Iss. 324, (Jan 1, 1961): 101.

[4] FILMLAND EVENTS: Katzman Company to Film 'Wizard' Los Angeles Times 1 July 1960: 24.

[5] Stones Preparing New Fire Thriller: Ameche in Return to Screen; Ritz Books Stripper Ann Corio Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times 24 June 1960: A9.

[6] Dick Shawn in Hollywood for 'Wizard of Baghdad' Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune 16 Aug 1960: b3.

[7] 'Wizard of Baghdad' Pays Off for Coe Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune 13 Aug 1960: n_a8.

[8] He Holds Fox Reins: BOB GOLDSTEIN: He Reins Fox Film Empire Alpert, Don. Los Angeles Times 14 Aug 1960: F1.

[9] 'Wizard of Baghdad' Pleasant Little Spoof Stinson, Charles. Los Angeles Times 16 Dec 1960: A11.

[10] Neighborhood Bill Thompson, Howard. New York Times 4 Mar 1961: 16.

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