Bowery to Bagdad

Slip and Sach get their hands on a magic lamp with a genie (Eric Blore) inside. It's the thirty-sixth entry in the series and, while it's far from the best, it is enjoyable enough thanks in large part to the inimitable Eric Blore in his final film. Leo Gorcey and Huntz Hall mostly go through the motions but they do have some amusing moments. Of course, Bernard Gorcey is funny as Louie. The rest of the gang is, as usual, background furniture. Although David Gorcey manages to get a few lines this time, so good for him. The supporting cast is what keeps the movie afloat. There's Robert Bice, Dick Wessell, and Michael Ross as three gangsters who want the lamp for themselves. Joan Shawlee plays a sexy moll and handles herself quite well with the comedy, including a couple of fun scenes bantering with Hall. Pretty much all of the movie's highlights involve Blore, a wonderful comic actor who played in over eighty films in his twenty plus years in Hollywood.

Either you like The Bowery Boys or you don't....and this film clearly is for devoted fans. Its silly quotient is certainly higher than normal, that's for sure!

When the film begins, Sach (Huntz Hall) has found a magic lamp and when he rubs it, out pops a very odd genie (Eric Blore). It offers to grant him any wish (not just three) but because Sach is an idiot, he offers to share it with Slip (Leo Gorcey). But then Slip gives him an odd order--the genie can only grant wishes if BOTH he Sach and Slip agree on it. This is interesting because soon two teams of crooks show up and try to take the lamp. But even when they get it, the genie is bound by Slip's command...he cannot do any wishes until both of the 'boys' (actually both were in their mid-late 30s) agree.

Even for a Bowery Boys film, having a genie appearing and disappearing is highly unusual and rather dumb. Overall, the film does nothing to convert non-fans and might actually make a few fans think twice about their love for the Boys! Only okay...with lots of folks bonking each other on the heads, a goofy genie and nothing more.

In a New York City hock-shop, Huntz Hall (as Sach Jones) purchases the legendary "Aladdin's Lamp", which had been missing from Bagdad. He brings it to "Sweet Shop" owner Bernard Gorcey (as Louie Dumbrowsky) as a gift. While polishing the lamp, Mr. Hall discovers its magic powers. Hall's first wish is for six malted milkshakes; although, lamp slave Eric Blore (as the Genie) suggests gold, diamonds, and dancing girls. Upon meeting Leo Gorcey (as Slip Mahoney), Mr. Blore must serve two masters. But, before "The Bowery Boys" can wish up a million dollars, criminal elements conspire to steal the magic lamp…

Once again, "The Bowery Boys" fight off the frequently evident (as recently as "Jungle Gents") law of diminishing returns. As usual, ageing "Boys" Gorcey and Hall make an unequal quartet, with David "Condon" Gorcey (as Chuck) and Benny "Bennie" Bartlett (as Butch) taking the way back seat. Still, the "Bowery to Bagdad" story moves well, and hits a few high marks. The "special effects" (Genie "magic" and a "ledge" sequence) are nicely staged, and add to the entertainment. Best of all is Blore's droll, boozy "Genie" - it's a swell career-ending role for the retiring Eric Blore.

****** Bowery to Bagdad (1/2/55) Edward Bernds ~ Huntz Hall, Leo Gorcey, Eric Blore

Still watching the Bowery Boys these days, and they're still fun. BOWERY TO BAGDAD has to be one of their more kooky episodes, only because as the series progressed, particularly in the 1950s, the plots became more insane and Huntz Hall was unleashed to do whatever he wanted to do!

Credit veteran comedy writer and director Edward Bernds, whose name may be familiar because he directed scores of Three Stooges shorts. There was a marked difference between the Bowery Boys films of the 1940s and the 1950s. Originally, the films had a comedy/drama slant, but by the next decade, all that went by the wayside with the Bowery Boys more comic book characters and with a sci fi or supernatural theme, case in point here. They conjure up a magical genie.

The series also had many notable character actors and Eric Blore, in his last film role, was well cast and probably well paid for his funny portrayal of a genie, who also gets drunk. Gorcey's father, Bernard, who played Louie, worked well with Blore; they both chewed up the scenery in one super scene.

But it's Leo Gorcey and Huntz Hall who set off the fireworks with a host of one liners and crazy situations. Thankfully, Warner Brothers acquired the rights to these comedies and first sold part of the series on vhs, but now all episodes come in dvd box sets and in mint condition, with no edits. So, yes, still crazy after all these years. We love them.

The usual bowery boys capers, and this one has ERIC BLORE as the genie! in his very last role. Somehow.... Sach buys the magic lamp in a pawn shop, and that's the beginning of all the trouble. Leo Gorcey, his brother, and his dad of course. and Huntz Hall as the sidekick. the main plot revolves around thugs threatening Louie if he doesn't give up his shop. lots of fighting and clunking on the head. shooting. running around in circles. and Genie gets drunk with Slip's dad. yeah, who knows?? this one is a little juvenile. but it DOES have eric blore. in his very last role! so much silliness. directed by Edward Bernds. was nominated for High Society, 1957.