Le retour d'Aladin

I remember seeing this on an afternoon movie show as a kid and loved it. For a movie of its age, it actually had some decent special effects (however, maybe if I saw it today, it wouldn't be as good as we are spoiled by all the computer generated stuff they can do now).

I loved I Dream of Jeannie, and was familiar with that show before I saw this movie. It was odd seeing Barbara Eden in the non-genie role.

The scene that stands out is when Burl Ives has no effect on some girl genie and shoots all these sparks out of his hands at her (am I dreaming this??). Or when he shrinks some business men and they are floating in a glass or pitcher or something and hanging on to a pencil (that sounds weird, and maybe I'm getting senile in my old age, but that's what I remember! :) ).

Cute movie.

A pleasant surprise- watched 1964's The Brass Bottle last night. Had me smiling from ear to ear. Chock full of supporting actors you'll recognize in an instant along with fine performances by stars Tony Randall, Burl Ives and Barbara Eden of "I Dream of Jeannie" fame. Wasn't expecting much, but the comic plot twists and dialog were top notch. High production values with cars, architecture and clothing us old guys remember well. Even the optical special effects were fun to watch. Highly recommended.

I was a child when I last saw this film, probably on television ... remember it as being incredibly funny and charming and would really enjoy seeing it again!

Burl Ives was a perfect genie ... can still recall the name of the great Fakrash el-Aamash after forty years, which is to say that the film made a remarkable impression. It would be interesting to see whether my sense of humor has changed all that much in the interim.

The Brass Bottle seemed quite a bit better than the TV series "I Dream of Jeannie" that was inspired by it ... absolutely delightful, if my memory can be a reliable guide.

Magically powerful, the ancient entity known as the D'Jinn can grant a person's wildest dreams, but in this day and age, can your lifestyle stand up to it?

The flip side of THE WISHMASTER, this film is a delightful romp that is comical and heartwarming.

Burl Ives is the D'Jinn, freed from 'The Brass Bottle" by architect Harold Ventimore (Tony Randall) -- who was intent on making it into a lamp!

Based on the book by Thomas Anstey Guthrie, the story shows the chaos that engulfs Harold's life as "Mr. Fakrash" attempts time and again to reward him for freeing him from the bottle. Meaning to be kind, he systematically causes Harold to loose his job, his fiancé, and ultimately, his freedom -- as the world comes to see him as a lunatic. There is no room in this modern world for Hocus Pocus.

I will not spoil the ending -- see it; this is one of Burl Ives' finest performances!

At last --- it's on DVD!

Tony Randall hoping to impress his rather stern would be father-in-law Edward Andrews the archeology professor with a big brass urn that he says is authentic. When he sees one in Andrews's home, Randall is rather discouraged. But when he opens his brass urn at home it really is authentic because through the green smoke out pops Burl Ives as Fakrash the genie.

Of course Fakrash who has been imprisoned since the days of King Suleiman, that's Solomon to the shegetz and he wants to do all kinds of things to his new friend and master Randall. Of course he's got a few thousand years of culture to catch up on so he manages to make a hash out of Randall's professional and personal life. That includes his courting of Barbara Eden who is Edward Andrews's daughter.

Randall and Ives play well off each other. Ives with a twinkle in his eye looks like he's having a great old time hamming it up in a role that calls for some generous pork. Randall does well in a role I could see Jack Lemmon possibly as better casting. I'll bet Lemmon got offered this one.

The 20th Century wasn't quite ready for Fakrash the genie, but Ives learns as he observes. As for how it works out, look to how it all worked out for David Niven and Loretta Young after Cary Grant the angel did take his leave of them. Of course this is quite a bit different.

And a lot funnier besides.