The Adventures of Hajji Baba (1954)
In Ispahan, Persia, Hajji Baba is leaving his father's shop to seek a greater fortune, while the Princess Fawzia is trying to talk her father, the Caliph into giving her in marriage to Nur-El-Din, a rival prince known far and wide as mean and fickle. Her father intends for Fawzia to marry a friend and ally, and makes plans to send her to him.
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It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.
The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.
It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.
Priceless junk that is pretty much explained by its title. John Derek was a good looking man and at times an adequate actor but not here although the script such as it is doesn't really lend itself to major thesping. Elaine Stewart as the princess is even worse enacting her role with all the passion of a petulant schoolgirl and showing that her eventual participation in numerous game show as a hostess was probably the best use of her talents. The only cast member to emerge with any kind of distinction is Thomas Gomez who chews the high grade ham as an good hearted but opportunistic trader. The costumes are just about what you would expect from this sort of sword and sandal flick but keep an eye out at about the hour mark for a young slave maiden wearing what truly appears to be a mop on her head!! The most baffling aspect of the whole thing is that it has a score conducted by Nelson Riddle and an (awful) theme song sung by the great Nat King Cole that is repeated over and over again throughout the flick. Enjoyable once in a mindless colorful way.
Let me start off by saying that this movie is awful. The acting, script, and directing is some of the worst ever seen and as a result made for a very funny movie to laugh at. I didn't understand the point since i was laughing to hard at the lite motif which goes, "Hajij, Hajij.." repeatedly. It takes a lot of talent to make a movie this horrible.
The hauntingly beautiful music sung by Nat King Cole sets this movie apart from the other Arabian romance pictures, with the dashingly handsome John Derek as its hero. This is a movie that I saw many years ago when I was approximately 8 years old, and it has stuck in my memory.
Liked it then... and would like to see it again. Loved the background singing of Nat King Cole. Cant wait for it to be on video! I would be interested in anyone knowing of a source of the video or whether it is available to purchase. Please note we use the PAL system in Australia.