Ali Baba et les 40 Voleurs [Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves] *** (1954, Fernandel, Samia Gamal, Dieter Borsche, Henri Vilbert) – Classic Movie Review 8674

Director Jacques Becker’s 1954 Eastmancolor French comedy fantasy romance film Ali Baba et les 40 Voleurs [Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves] stars lovely old Fernandel, who is inspired casting as Ali Baba.

His rich oriental lord master Cassim (Henri Vilbert) sends Ali Baba to find a new slave girl wife for him, but Ali Baba brings the dancer Morgiane (Samia Gamal) and falls for her instead. Ali Baba finds the 40 thieves’ treasure cave and steals the loot so he can buy Morgiane and a residence for them and his beggar friends. But both Cassim and Abdel the bandit chief (Dieter Borsche) have other ideas.

Fernandel is extremely likeable and entertaining in a pleasant, lively French version of the Arabian Nights tale, though he is virtually the whole show as the co-stars are less ingratiating, the script is occasionally a bit flat and the production lacks the Hollywood gloss. Still, it is as least as good as Universal Pictures’ entertaining 1944 Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.

It is one of Becker’s few colour films. He is very much a black and white kind of guy.

Fernandel performs the song Ali Baba (music by Paul Misraki, lyrics by Jean Manse).

Filming took place between 12 April 1954 and 14 July 1954. The street scenes were filmed in Taroudant, Morocco.

Also in the cast are Édouard Delmont, Edmond Ardisson, Manuel Gary, Julien Maffre, Yôko Tani, Gaston Orbal, Bob Ingarao and José Casa.

It is made by Les Films du Cyclope, and was released by Cinédis in 1954 in France.

Ali Baba et les 40 Voleurs [Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves] is directed by Jacques Becker, 95 minutes, is made by Les Films du Cyclope, is released by Cinédis (1954) (France), is written by Jacques Becker (screenplay), Marc Maurette (screenplay), Maurice Griffe (screenplay), Cesare Zavattini (story) and André Tabet (dialogue), shot in Eastmancolor by Robert Lefebvre, produced by Adry De Carbuccia and Roland Girard, scored by Paul Misraki, and designed by Georges Wakhévitch.

Fernandel [Fernand Contandin] (1903–1971) was awarded the French Legion of Honour medal for being a ‘marchand de bonheur’ (a trader in happiness).

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8674

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com