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.
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 GambleReturn 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]
^Solomon, Aubrey. Twentieth Century Fox: A Corporate and Financial History (The Scarecrow Filmmakers Series). Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press, 1989. ISBN978-0-8108-4244-1. 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.
