Sinbad the Sailor

Who, more than all other sons of Allah, spread glory to the name of Sinbad? Sinbad the Sailor is directed by Richard Wallace and written by John Twist and George Worthing Yates. It stars Douglas Fairbanks Junior, Maureen O'Hara, Walter Slezak, Anthony Quinn, George Tobias and Jane Greer. Music is scored by Roy Webb and Technicolor cinematography by George Barnes. Sinbad (Fairbanks Jr.) regales all about his Eighth Voyage, where he went to the fabled island of Deryabar in search of the lost treasure of Alexander the Great. There's so much good about Sinbad the Sailor, the lush colour photography, the skilfully constructed sets and paintings, Roy Webb's evocative score, costuming to dazzle the eyes and Fairbanks Junior with energy and athleticism to burn. The trouble is that RKO only push the boat out half way, for they have let the writers come up with a very verbose screenplay, one which is painfully stretched to nearly two hours of film! For a family fantasy adventure film there is a surprisingly small amount of action to entertain the masses. When it comes, in dribs and drabs, it's well put together and a merciful relief, but alas, more elongated passages of barely worthwhile dialogue is just around the corner. Still, the good points in the production are reason enough to sit through the two hours. Even the casting decisions, that sees American, Irish, Austrian & Mexican actors playing Asians, are forgiven given the gusto and charm they put into their respective roles. But don't be fooled, the poster proclaimed it as "One Of The Greatest Adventures Of All Times", that would be true, if only they had shaved about 30 minutes off of the first hour! 6/10