Chu Chin Chow (1934)
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33% of users liked it
(34 ratings)
The timeworn British stage musical Chu Chin Chow had already been made into a silent picture when this talkie version made its bow in 1934. Based on Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves, the film stars corpulent music-hall comedian George Robey as Ali Baba, sinister Fritz Kortner as robber captain Abu Hahan,… More The timeworn British stage musical Chu Chin Chow had already been made into a silent picture when this talkie version made its bow in 1934. Based on Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves, the film stars corpulent music-hall comedian George Robey as Ali Baba, sinister Fritz Kortner as robber captain Abu Hahan, and exotic Anna May Wong as slave girl Zahrat, who saves Ali's life by properly applying oil to a collection of not-so-empty barrels. The obligatory romantic subplot is handled by John Garrick and Pearl Argyle, while comedy relief is supplied by a vaudevillian named Jetsam (that's right, of the team of "Flotsam and...") Director Walter Forde does little to "cinematize" the old property, which is just as well. Originally released at 93 minutes, Chu Chin Chow was shorn of about 5 minutes before its American release; presumably some of the sexier "nautch" dances were among the excised scenes. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Karl Grune, Walter Forde
- Genres
- Drama, Musical & Performing Arts, Classics, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Sep 1, 1934 Wide
- On DVD
- Sep 21, 1934
- Studio
- VCI
Critic Reviews
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Variety Staff, Variety
This lavish musical from the British studios is a colorful, extravagant costume film that makes its bid for attention purely on an extravaganza platform, and makes the grade.
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, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Musical retelling of the story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves is well done, if a bit slow.
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Phil Hall, Film Threat
An old stinker.
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Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
This 1934 talkie gives Ms. Wong a couple of powerful scenes to play, looking both dangerous and sexy either dancing or brandishing a dagger.
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Cast
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George Robey
as Ali Baba
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Fritz Kortner
as Abdul Hamid II, Abu Hassan
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Anna May Wong
as Zahrat
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John Garrick
as Nur-al-din
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Pearl Argyle
as Marjanah
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Sydney Fairbrother
as Mahbubah
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Dennis Hoey
as Rakham
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Lawrence Hanray
as Kasim Baba
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Frank Cochrane
as Mustafa
- Gibb McLaughlin
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Francis L. Sullivan
as Caliph
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Kiyoshi Takase
as Entertainer
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Nils Asther
as Kadar Pash
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Adrienne Ames
as Therese Alder
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John Stuart
as Talak Pash
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Walter Rilia
as Hassan Bey
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Patric Knowles
as Omar
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Annie Esmond
as Lady
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Arthur Hardy
as Ambassador
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Clifford Heatherley
as Doctor
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Eric Portman
as Conspirator
- Warren Jenkins
