Ali Baba Goes to Town

Ali Baba Goes to Townis a 1937 Americanmusicalcomedy filmdirected byDavid Butlerand starringEddie Cantor,Tony Martin,andRoland Young.Cantor plays ahobonamed Aloysius "Al" Babson, who walks into the camp of a movie company that is making theArabian Nights.He falls asleep and dreams he is inBaghdadas an advisor to the Sultan (Young). He organizes work programs, taxes the rich, and abolishes the army, in aspoofof Roosevelt'sNew Deal.This film was the second of three in which Shirley Temple and Cesar Romero appeared together, second wasWee Willie Winkie(1937) andThe Little Princess(1939).

Ali Baba Goes to Town
Lobby card
Directed by	David Butler
Written by	C. Graham Baker Gene Fowler Gene Towne Harry Tugend Jack Yellen
Produced by	Darryl F. Zanuck David Hempstead
Starring	Eddie Cantor Tony Martin Roland Young
Cinematography	Ernest Palmer
Edited by	Irene Morra
Music by	Robert Russell Bennett
Production company	20th Century Fox
Distributed by	20th Century Fox
Release date	October 29, 1937(1937-10-29)
Running time	80 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

The cast also includesGypsy Rose Lee,using the stage name of Louise Hovick, as the Sultana. TheRaymond ScottQuintette also appears, performing "Twilight In Turkey."

Cast

• Eddie Cantoras Ali Baba/Aloysius 'Al' Babson
• Tony Martinas Yusuf/Announcer at Premiere
• Roland Youngas Sultan
• June Langas Princess Miriam
• Gypsy Rose Leeas Sultana
• Raymond Scottas Orchestra Leader
• John Carradineas Ishak/Broderick
• Virginia Fieldas Dinah
• Alan Dinehartas Boland
• Douglass Dumbrilleas Prince Musah
• Maurice Cassas Omar, The Rug Maker
• Warren Hymeras Tramp
• Stanley Fieldsas Tramp
• Paul Hurstas Captain
• Sam Hayes as Radio Announcer/Assistant Director
• Sidney Fieldsas Assistant Director
• Ferdinand Gottschalkas Chief Councilor
• Charles Laneas Doctor
• Jeni Le Gonas Specialty Dancer
• The Peters Sistersas Specialty Act
• The Pearl Twins as Specialty Dancers

Uncredited Guests At Premiere:

• Phyllis Brooksas Herself
• Dolores del Ríoas Herself
• Douglas Fairbanksas Himself
• Jack Haleyas Himself
• Sonja Henieas Herself
• Victor McLaglenas Himself
• Tyrone Poweras Himself
• The Ritz Brothersas Themselves
• Cesar Romeroas Himself
• Ann Sothernas Herself
• Shirley Templeas Herself

Production

Two men were killed and two injured on August 27, 1937, when the flying carpet rig collapsed in the studio. The "carpet" was a 1,500-pound (680 kg) platform suspended high above the floor by piano wires attached to the four corners. The platform fell while it was being tested; none of the actors were on set. Three workmen had been riding on the carpet, with one, camera grip Harry Harsha, dying from his injuries the next day, and 48-year-old actor and prop man Philo Goodfriend was crushed to death underneath. Goodfriend had also been the commodore of Santa Monica Yacht Club.

Cultural references

A clip fromAli Baba Goes to Townis shown in the filmThe Day of the Locust(1975), in whichKaren Blackplays an aspiring actress in 1930s Hollywood. A brief shot of Black is edited into theAli Babafootage to create the impression that her character played a bit role in that film.

Some scenes fromAli Baba Goes to Townare described in detail inSwing TimebyZadie Smith.The character Tracey resembles the dancerJeni LeGon,who performs in the film.

See also

• List of American films of 1937

External links

• Ali Baba Goes to TownatIMDb