Wonders of Aladdin, The (1961)

In the ancient city of Baghdad, Aladdin (Donald O’Connor) is given the legendary lamp by his mother (Adriana Facchetti) without either being aware of its magic powers.

The genie (Vittorio De Sica) first appears when Aladdin accidentally rubs it during a chase, and to frighten off his pursuers the genie temporarily turns Aladdin into a giant.

Aladdin still doesn’t know how to summon the genie, and the next time he’s in trouble it is again purely by accident that he summons the genie to rescue him from death at the hands of a tribe of Amazon women while he’s in the desert travelling to the royal wedding of Princess Zaina (Michèle Mercier) and Prince Moluk (a young Terence Hill billed here under his pre-stardom name of Mario Girotti).

Asking to be transported to his destination, Aladdin finds himself embroiled in a plot devised by the Grand Vizier (Fausto Tozzi) to kill the royal groom, marry the Princess himself, and gain control of her father’s kingdom.

One of Aladdin’s ruses is to disguise himself as a dancing, talking doll, and in his general campaign, he receives the support of his bewitching girlfriend, Djalma (Noëlle Adam) and the “bewitching” support of the genie.

An American/Italian/French co-production, The Wonders of Aladdin is a kaleidoscope of colour, spectacle, comedy and excitement with a dazzling display of cinematic magic.

Aladdin
Donald O’Connor
Djalma
Noëlle Adam
Genie
Vittorio De Sica
Sultan
Aldo Fabrizi
Prince Moluk
Terence Hill (as Mario Girotti)
Grand Vizier
Fausto Tozzi
Magician
Raymond Bussières
Omar
Milton Reid
Bandit Chieftain
Alberto Farnese
Fakir
Marco Tulli
Midwife
Giovanna Galletti
Benhai (Aladdin’s Mother)
Adriana Facchetti
Vizier’s Lieutenant
Franco Ressel
Princess Zaina
Michèle Mercier

Director
Mario Bava
Henry Levin