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S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

Directed by John Rawlins
USA 1942

 

Get swept away on a magical carpet ride! Prepare for every wish to be answered in the dazzling film spectacular Arabian Nights! See the passionate romance, lavish riches and exotic splendor of this classic fable that was “beautifully mounted in Technicolor” (Leonard Maltin) and is now magically brought to life in HD. Jon Hall (Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves), Maria Montez (Cobra Woman) and Sabu (The Jungle Book) star in this lush, epic story of two half brothers who battle each other for the power of the throne and the love of a sensual, gorgeous dancing girl. Directed by John Rawlins (Sudan) and co-starring Leif Erickson (The Lady Gambles), Billy Gilbert (The Great Dictator), Shemp Howard (Pittsburgh) and Thomas Gomez (Force of Evil). This thrilling adventure, the first of six films starring Montez and Hall, was nominated for four Academy Awards: Best Cinematography (Color), Best Art Direction-Interior Decoration (Color), Best Sound and Best Music Score.

***

 

Dancer Sherazade was told by the stars that she will become wife of the kalif in Bagdad. She tells Kamar, brother of kalif Haroun. He planned a coup d'etat, which failed at first, but supported by the wasir he finally succeeds. Haroun is injured and gets help from Ahmad's actor troupe, where he is nursed by Sherazade, who doesn't recognise him. When she hears that Kamar is looking for her she goes to him, but is sold with the complete troupe of actors to slavery. They're able to escape, but Haroun is still in danger. To save him, Sherazade agrees to poison Kamar, but Haroun tries to establish his rulership first.

Posters

Theatrical Release: December 25th, 1942

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Comparison:

Universal - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

Box Cover

  

  

Bonus Captures:

Distribution Universal Home Video - Region 1 - NTSC Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray
Runtime 1:26:27       1:26:47.201 
Video 1.33:1 Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 6.24 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

1.37:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 27,768,004,765 bytes

Feature: 27,193,669,632 bytes

Video Bitrate: 37.91 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

Bitrate:

Bitrate Blu-ray:

Audio English (Dolby Digital mono)

DTS-HD Master Audio English 1553 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1553 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit)
Commentary:

Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps

Subtitles English, None English, None
Features

Release Information:
Studio: Universal Home Video

Aspect Ratio:
Original Aspect Ratio 1.33:1

Edition Details:

• Robert Osborne Introduction
• Trailer

DVD Release Date: February 6th, 2007

Keep Case
Chapters: 17

Release Information:
Studio:
Kino

 

1.37:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 27,768,004,765 bytes

Feature: 27,193,669,632 bytes

Video Bitrate: 37.91 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:

• NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historian Phillipa Berry
• Theatrical Trailer (2:07 in SD)


Blu-ray Release Date:
July 21st, 2020
Standard Blu-ray Case

Chapters 9

 

 

Comments:

NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Kino Blu-ray (July 2020): Kino have transferred 1942's Arabian Nights to Blu-ray. It is absolutely gorgeous in 1080P. This film marks the first use of 3-strip Technicolor by Universal and little expense was spared in the film's production. Detail rises, there is more information in the frame and colors shift to accuracy in the blue skies and sands via the new HD transfer. The BD presentation is exquisite showing brilliant Technicolor hues and a smattering of grain texture. There are a very few scenes where alignment may be off, but for the most part this image quality is top-shelf.

NOTE: We have added 60 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Kino use a DTS-HD Master dual-mono track (16-bit) in the original English language. It is another advancement in the film's audio effects - ie. sword conflicts, horses plus a fine score by Frank Skinner (The Sleeping City, The Lady Gambles, The Appaloosa, Madame X, Magnificent Obsession, Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, All That Heaven Allows, Thunder Bay, and The Naked City) sounding clean, and a bit deeper with more consistent dialogue. Kino offer optional English subtitles on their Region 'A' Blu-ray.

The Kino Blu-ray has a new commentary by Film Historian Phillipa Berry. She does a solid job - fully prepared and keeping excellent pace sharing anecdotes on cast, crew and production - highlighting Jon Hall - his suicidal death at age 64, Maria Montez ("The Queen of Technicolor") and Sabu, son of an Indian mahout (elephant rider) and pointing out Turhan Bey, Stooge Shemp Howard and Acquanetta (who was originally considered for the part of Sherazade) nicknamed "The Venezuelan Volcano" known for her role as a transformative ape in Captive Wild Woman, and Jungle Woman. There is also an SD trailer. 

Arabian Nights is renowned for its lush appearance with grandiose sets and costuming - winning awards for color cinematography and art-direction. It's one of the most visually satisfying of the Arabic-adventure 'One Thousand and One Nights' folk-tales put to film. I am very happy to own on Blu-ray. Sure... recommended! 

Gary Tooze

 


Universal - Region 1 - NTSC

 

Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray


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1) Universal - Region 1 - NTSC  TOP

2) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 


1) Universal - Region 1 - NTSC  TOP

2) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 


1) Universal - Region 1 - NTSC  TOP

2) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 


1) Universal - Region 1 - NTSC  TOP

2) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 


1) Universal - Region 1 - NTSC  TOP

2) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 


1) Universal - Region 1 - NTSC  TOP

2) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 


 

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Box Cover

  

  

Bonus Captures:

Distribution Universal Home Video - Region 1 - NTSC Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray


 


 

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