Tickle Me: The Sword of Ali Baba (1965)

U.S. One Sheet Poster

The Sword of Ali Baba, directed in color by Virgil W. Vogel, is a remake by Universal of its Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves (which was released in January of 1944). In the 13th century, Hulagu Khan (Gavin MacLeod), the grandson of Genghis Khan, has invaded Baghdad and deposed its ruler, Abdullah, who is betrayed by Prince Cassim (Frank Puglia) and led into a trap, where he is killed by Khan's men. Abdullah's young son Ali, however, escapes down the river and is eventually taken in by a band of forty thieves. The leader of the thieves gives Ali has last name, thus calling him Ali Baba.

In the films opening, we see young Ali with a young girl, Princess Amara (Cassim's daughter), and the two children promise themselves to each other. After Ali Baba becomes part of the thieves that raid and terrorize Khan and his men through the years, they have become heroes. At one point, Ali leads an excursion to intercept a caravan carrying a woman that is to be the bride of Khan and is captured. The remainder of the film follows his escape and learning that the bride-to-be is the grown and beautiful Princess Amara (Jocelyn) who feels compelled to marry Khan to help her father and her people. After much action and adventure, Ali Baba recaptures his rightful throne, saves Amara from Khan, and the couple presumably lives happily ever after.

The Sword of Ali Baba is a very odd film. I recall watching the original as a boy, but I do not remember much about it and have not watched it since. From what I have read, however, the remake used significant amounts of footage from the original film. Apparently, the entire opening sequence up to the point where Ali is grown was lifted from the original film, and all or virtually all of the outdoor shots are from the original. Frank Puglia even plays Prince Cassim in both films! The new sequences were filmed entirely on the Universal lot. The result is a film that has an older 1940's vibe to it, except for the fact that Amala's outfits are a little skimpier and several of the faces would become familar to U.S. TV audiences in the 1960's and 1970's. Greg Morris would have a long TV career, best remembered for Mission Impossible, and Gavin MacLeod achieved TV immortality on The Mary Tyler Moor Show and The Love Boat. Irene Tsu never became a big star, but she had a long career in film and TV.

MacLeod is rather absurd as Khan, and Greg Morris seems completely out of place. Peter Mann apparently had a short acting career in the 1960's, and he certainly shows no signs of stardom here, though he's not bad. None of the cast remotely resemble or sound like people of the region in which the story is set. It seems that Universal decided to throw a bunch of contract actors together into a film that could be shot as cheaply as possible, resulting in a modest profit with little effort. In a way, it is almost like a Universal screen test for Jocelyn, who had been recently signed.

With all of the negative aspects aside, the film is actually OK entertainment, as long as you accept it for what it is and don't take it too seriously. The story is dated but interesting, there is action and sword fights, there is the stunning Jocelyn, and the film does not overstay its welcome at 81 minutes. She delivers an acceptable performance, with a British accent that gives something of a royal air, I suppose, to Amara, even if it is out of place. Don't over-think trying to understand how young, black-haired Amara would grow into stunning, red-haired Amara. I would have liked this movie as a boy, and I enjoy it as an adult because of Jocelyn and seeing familiar actors in such odd roles. Jocelyn fans should definitely check this one out.

Shot entirely on the Universal back lot (except for perhaps one day on location), filming commenced on July 3, 1964. Upon signing by Universal, Jocelyn was initially to be known as Laura Lane, so that is how she is initially billed in the trade papers with regard to this film, originally to be called Adventures of Ali Baba. Presumably the film was completed within a few weeks, and by the fall, Jocelyn was being billed as Jocelyn Lane, not Laura Lane.

IMDB shows a release date of April 1965. I am not sure if the film ever played as a single feature. By the summer of 1965, it was being shown as a double bill with films such as Shenandoah and Fluffy.

Variety reviewed Sword of Ali Baba in the March 31, 1965 edition based on a March 19, 1965 viewing at the Universal home office in N.Y., observing "Hoping that boxoffice lightning will strike twice in the same spot, this Universal loose remake of its 1951 'Prince Who Was a Thief' is meant to introduce new talent Peter Mann and Jocelyn Lane as the earlier film did Tony Curtis and Piper Laurie. While nothing great as a cinematic offering, 'Sword of Ali Baba' is a pleasant trifle that should make an adequate showing in the general market." It also noted that "William Margulies' camerawork was concerned more with matching recent footage with color work of stock shots used plentifully throughout the film, not always successfully." Finally, it concluded: "Carefully slotted, film as adventure appeal to youngsters and adults who aren't too selective. Dramatically, it will likely do little to further anyone's career."

The U.S. 30x40, three sheet, half sheet, and insert posters, along with the lobby card set: