The Adventures Of Hajji Baba, from Walter Wanger and Allied Artists, is not a particularly great film, but it is a fun one. Though its approach to casting and historical storytelling would be considered dated by today’s standards, viewers who can appreciate the film in the context of its time will enjoy Twilight Time’s Blu-ray release.
The Production: 3/5
The Adventures of Hajji Baba stars John Derek in the title role, a Persian barber who wishes to leave his father’s shop to seek fame and fortune for himself. Meanwhile, Princess Fawzia (Elaine Stewart), is rebelling against an arranged marriage that her father has set for her. It’s not long before Hajji and the princess cross paths, with a case of mistaken identity serving as the conduit to join their paths. Before long, the two develop feelings for each other, and Hajji must escort the princess to safety, and the princess must find her way out of her arranged marriage before she becomes trapped.
Producer Walter Wanger chose The Adventures of Hajji Baba as his next film project in part because of the popularity of its source material, an 1824 novel by James Justinian Morier that had remained in print for over a century; having a built-in audience always helps. Wanger brought on Richard Collins to write the film’s screenplay, and Collins discarded much of the novel’s original narrative, but kept the title character and his occupation intact. The direction, by Don Weis, is effective without being flashy. Thanks to the use of the then-new CinemaScope lenses (on loan from Fox) and a score by Dimitri Tiomkin, the film looks and sounds better than its production values might otherwise indicate. Though the title song (sung by Nat ‘King’ Cole) is repeated too often in the film, the music and widescreen photography give what’s ultimately a B-movie adventure a more A-list appearance.
Finally, this is a film that must be viewed in its original context if it is to be enjoyed by a modern audience. Though the film’s practice of casting white actors in non-white roles was standard industry practice at the time, viewers unprepared for this may be turned off by the choice. However, with its obviously Californian settings doubling for Persia, this isn’t a film particularly interested in realism. And though the filmmakers might be guilty of making a silly film, there doesn’t seem to be any malice or stereotyping in the portrayal of the characters. It’s probably best to treat the film as the fantasy it is rather than looking for anything deeper.
Video: 4.5/5
3D Rating: NA
The film is presented in its original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.55:1. The transfer, provided by Twentieth Century Fox, is perfectly clean and very steady. Overall, the transfer is not as sharp or colorful as might have been expected, but this is almost certainly correct; the slight touch of softness is consistent with the look of the early CinemaScope lenses. If the transfer isn’t quite demonstration material, it’s still a wonderfully solid presentation that appears accurate to the period in which the film was made.
Audio: 5/5
There are two audio tracks included with the film, both in the lossless DTS-HD MA format. The first and best option is the 5.1 surround track, but a 2.0 stereo track is also included. Both are clean and crisp, with no age-related artifacts present. The 5.1 track offers a wider soundstage. Though the dialogue is mostly centered, and though the track in general is front-oriented, the musical score takes advantage of the extra channels and sounds appropriately lush.
Special Features: 2.5/5
Isolated Music & Effects Track – Dimitri Tiomkin’s score and title song are presented in the lossless DTS-HD MA format. Effects are also included but are not obtrusive.
Original Theatrical Trailer (2:22, SD) – The film’s original trailer is presented letterboxed within a 4×3 frame.
Booklet – Julie Kirgo contributes the usual insightful essay (and seems very amused by the choice of film), which is supplemented by production stills and original poster art.
Overall: 3.5/5
The Adventures of Hajji Baba is an entertaining, if forgettable, CinemaScope adventure film. Everything here is “good enough,” from John Derek’s performance in the title role to Wanger’s production and Weis’s direction. The film’s shorter running time and simple charms make it an enjoyable bit of escapist fun, and the presentation by Twilight Time is first rate.
There are only 3,000 copies of this Blu-ray available. Those interested in purchasing it should go to either www.twilighttimemovies.com or www.screenarchives.com to see if product is still in stock. Information about the movie can also be found via Facebook at www.facebook.com/twilighttimemovies.
A note about the packaging from Twilight Time: This title was delivered to us from our supplier with a blue colored case, not the clear case as pictured. When you purchase this title we will automatically add a free clear case to your order that you can use if you wish.
Josh’s fate as a physical media enthusiast was probably sealed the moment he figured out how to operate a top-loading VCR before he even knew how to walk. Since graduating with a degree in film production, he has enjoyed a career focused on the archival and distribution side of film and television. These days, Josh thinks of himself as a proud father of twins first. He would like to thank his wife for her unwavering support, and for every typo she’s ever caught.
Post Disclaimer
Some of our content may contain marketing links, which means we will receive a commission for purchases made via those links. In our editorial content, these affiliate links appear automatically, and our editorial teams are not influenced by our affiliate partnerships. We work with several providers (currently Skimlinks and Amazon) to manage our affiliate relationships. You can find out more about their services by visiting their sites.
Similar threads