The Thief of Bagdad (1924)

My Review

“The Thief of Bagdad” is a swashbuckler silent movie that tells the story of a small-time street thief who falls in love with the daughter of the Caliph of Bagdad. Director Raoul Walsh and producer-star Douglas Fairbanks skillfully made this film into what is universally acclaimed as one of the best of the silent era. It has extravagant sets, amazing special effects for the 1920’s, outstanding performances, spectacle scenes with thousands of extras, and more.

Art director William Cameron Menzies was responsible for much of the design of the sets and other visual elements. One of the amazing special effects featured some of the scenes in blue and white, in a film that is mostly in black and white. The screenplay was written by Achmed Abdullah and Lotta Woods. They did not overwhelm the audience with too many title cards (or intertitles), as many silent films had a tendency to do.

Douglas Fairbanks felt that this was his favorite role of his career. At the age of 41, he performed his own stunts as well as the acting duties. His co-stars include Julianne Johnston, Snitz Edwards, Charles Belcher, Sojin Kamiyama, Anna May Wong, Brandon Hurst, Tote Du Crow, Noble Johnson, Sam Baker. The watchable “The Thief of Bagdad” was a big hit at the Roaring Twenties box office for Douglas Fairbanks Pictures and United Artists. It was filmed at the Pickford-Fairbanks Studios (now known as The Lot) in West Hollywood, California, at 1041 Formosa Ave.