The Wonderfully Bizarre History of The Magic Voyage of Sinbad

So there's this Russian film called Sadko (1953) that won a bunch of awards in Russia. Roger Corman's film company in the States went and bought the rights (or something, the history isn't exactly clear) to the film and the company remade it. According to Wikipedia Francis Ford Coppola helped write the new script. 

They changed it from a Russian adventure film with nothing to do with the Nights into a 1001 Nights Sinbad film, changing the dialogue and dubbing it into English. It's not clear how much of the plot they changed but the company did cut some of the original. The resulting film is The Magic Voyage of Sinbad, which didn't do well at all in terms of reception. It's sort of tolerated in B-movie/camp fans and was featured on Mystery Science Theater 3000.

From wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadko_(film)) - 

"The film was re-released in the United States in 1962 in an English-dubbed and modified form by Roger Corman's Filmgroup under the title The Magic Voyage of Sinbad. It retains the plot structure of Sadko but includes several changes: the total running time is reduced from approximately 85 to 79 minutes (most of the deleted footage consists of scenes in which songs are performed, though one song is retained and sung in English), voice-over narration is added, the protagonist "Sadko" is renamed "Sinbad," and other characters and places are renamed to disguise the film's Russian origin and transform the film into a story about Sindbad the Sailor (perhaps most significantly, the city of Novgorod is renamed "Copasand"). The English dubbing in this version arguably gives the film a slightly "campier" tone than the original version, in which the dialogue has a more polished and "literate" tone. Cast and credits were also altered to made-up "American-sounding" names. The "Script Adaptor" for this version of the film, uncredited, was a young Francis Ford Coppola.

This version of the film was featured in Season 5, Episode #505 of Mystery Science Theater 3000 in 1993, despite the fact that Kevin Murphy, voice of Tom Servo, has professed a love for the "breathtaking" visual style of this and other films by Aleksandr Ptushko in multiple interviews.^[1][2] Paul Chaplin, another writer of the show, has also expressed admiration elsewhere, but not regrets for the mockery."

If you like, you can watch it here: 

Sinbad The Fifth Voyage (2014)

Here is the trailer for the new film Sinbad The Fifth Voyage ("Inspired by the Arabian Nights!") from Giant Flick Films. Many thanks to Paul for passing this on.




Some of the exaggerated accents by the actors in the clip are particularly interesting ("Sunbod"?). The effects seem like a mix of Harryhausen inspired monsters and costumed actors with model sets ala Godzilla. AKA "Epic!"

Sinbad The Fifth Voyage was released February 7 of this year in limited screenings in the USA.

Patrick Stewart stars as a narrator.

More information (including "behind the scenes" video clips) at - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1403862/

Learn Arabic with Sinbad

Learn Arabic with "Sindibad" - this person on youtube has uploaded the 40 minute video with both Arabic and English subtitles.  It is basic Arabic but a helpful refresher.  You can learn how to say useful things like "mother," "father" and "are you a policeman?"!!

Sindibad is/was a hugely popular animated series (outside of the US and particularly in the Arabic speaking world) originating in the 80s or maybe even the 70s.

A new company called "Arabian Sinbad" has produced a number of these videos featuring an updated riff on the old Sindibad. Their website is here - http://arabiansinbad.com/store/index.php

Sinbad's Restaurant SF

Sinbad's is an ancient restaurant in San Francisco with a great view.  They have the name and the character greeting you at its entrance.  I'm not sure what the story is with this life size mannequin or his costume and its relationship to any Sinbad film (actual costume? etc.) but I'm certainly curious.

We went just for a quick drink, the inside was a bit stale and it has seen better days overall, but the old place is definitely worth peeking into as you head to the nearby Ferry Building.

If anyone has info on their Sinbad do please post below.

 

Sinbad (SKY 1 - 2012) Coming to the USA

Many thanks to Paul for keeping me up to date with Sinbad, the SKY 1 (though AdWeek says it's also BBC Worldwide owned - who can keep track) series which he has been watching up in Canada but which I, across the border down south, have been sorely missing out on.

Until now!

The Sci Fi channel, now known as Syfy, (as an aside - my undergraduate house had the tv on for about 24 hrs with the countdown to the launch of this channel, I think Star Wars (the real one, episode IV) was the first thing they showed, and their countdown was tantalizing to us (hey it was the 90s we didn't have much to do) and thanks to wikipedia that day was September 24, 1992!), is set to launch the series in the USA.

Unfortunately it won't air until next April (2013) though, I suppose they have to have meetings about things for a year first? Or Americanize it?

 It stars Naveen Andrews of Lost fame.

Here's the news from AdWeek:  http://www.adweek.com/news/television/bbc-worldwide-americas-sinbad-says-open-sesame-syfy-143421

"Finally, a show with the word "Sinbad" in the title that won't make you think of Jingle All the Way. BBC Worldwide America's Arabian Nights riff Sinbad is coming to NBCUniversal's cable network Syfy in April of next year. The 12-segment series stars Elliot Knight as the eponymous sailor and follows him on his voyages as he evades bad guy Lord Akbari (Naveen Andrews, of Lost) along with the rest of the crew aboard the Providence."

Here is the trailer:



 Here is wikipedia on the show:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinbad_%28TV_series%29

Ras Al Khaimah Sinbad Stamp

Here's a picture of a stamp with an illustration from "Sinbad," (or at least the suggestion of one!), from Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates, a onetime home of mine for almost five years (Abu Dhabi, UAE)!

Sinbad: Rogue of Mars

Many thanks to Paul for passing on this picture for the upcoming film Sinbad: Rogue of Mars, set to be released in 2012.

Sinbad in space!  It's based on an old Ray Harryhausen produced comic and the film is related to Harryhausen as well.  Imax & 3D (When will the new 3D revival stop?!).

From 1001 Nights

Sinbad on Sky 1

British television channel Sky 1 has begun production for a 13 part series based on Sinbad the Sailor.

A mix of 24 and Lost featuring Sinbad adventures?  Sounds like a recipe for something I guess.  I wonder who will hit the screen as Sinbad first, The Rock (in the upcoming 3D Arabian Nights)?  Or the as yet unchosen Sky1 version?


Here are a slew of related articles and clips:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/aug/03/sinbad-the-sailor-sky1

"Sky1 is has commissioned a multimillion-pound remake of Sinbad the Sailor, to be produced by Primeval makers Impossible Pictures, which it promises will have "the ambition of Lost and the pace of 24".

The commission is one of a slate of new shows unveiled today by the Sky1 director of programmes, Stuart Murphy, who is keen to shed a reputation for relying on foreign imports and "shifting the budget around to put terrestrial levels of spend behind our commissioned shows". Sinbad, which will start photography in Malta in February, is a 13-part series that features a 21-year-old Sinbad fleeing from his home in Basra, Iraq."

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From Sky1's initial announcement:

" Breaking news (Tuesday 3 August, 2010):

Today  we are announcing a brand new 13 part hour long series called Sinbad. It's from the Emmy® and BAFTA® winning Impossible Pictures (Primeval). The new production promises a 21st century take on the classic 8th century iconic hero, Sinbad, reinvigorating the hero’s adventures for a contemporary audience.

On the run from his home town of Basra and under a curse for a killing that led to the death of his much-loved brother, the streetwise Sinbad finds himself cast out to sea. Surviving a violent and magical storm, both Sinbad and his intriguing fellow ship-mates are forced to band together to face their inner demons, hopes, loves and fears. Our flawed hero embarks on an epic and emotional quest to rid himself of the curse and embrace his destiny. When mystical meets muscle anything can happen.

Elaine Pyke, Head of Drama at Sky 1 HD commented: “Our Sinbad is 21, reckless, utterly charming and cursed. Mysticism, magic, monsters and high octane action adventure, this Sinbad is always exciting and sometimes challenging. This unique series will have the ambition of Lost, the pace of 24 and take the viewer to visually stunning locations on both sea and land. Sky’s Sinbad will be a multi-layered series for today’s prime time audience.”

Sinbad is part of Sky1's multi-million pound HD drama investment fund. The search is now on to find an actor to play the iconic role!"

http://sky1.sky.com/brand-new-sky1-hd-show-sinbad-announced-today

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from Impossible Pictures:

http://impossiblepictures.co.uk/sinbad-for-the-21st-century/

SINBAD. Hero or Villain? On the run from his home town of Basra and under a curse for a killing that led to the death of his much-loved brother, the streetwise SINBAD finds himself cast out to sea. Surviving a violent and magical storm, both SINBAD and his intriguing fellow ship-mates are forced to band together to face their inner demons, hopes, loves and fears. Our flawed hero embarks on an epic and emotional quest to rid himself of the curse and embrace his destiny. When mystical meets muscle anything can happen….

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Times of Malta (Malta is the location of the shooting):

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100805/local/sinbad-to-be-shot-here-for-sky1

"Sinbad will be shot in Malta for Sky1 next year, marking the first time an entire series of a television production is being filmed on the island.

Usually, only individual episodes, or parts of them, are filmed here, Malta Film Commissioner Luisa Bonello pointed out.

The series is being produced by Impossible Pictures, a multi-award-winning independent television production company for Sky1 and BBC Worldwide."

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From The National, Abu Dhabi (scouts are looking for Middle Eastern actors for the show)

http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/sinbad-hopefuls-reach-for-the-sky

"DUBAI // Dozens of Emiratis and expatriates are vying for the lead role in a 13-part television series about Sinbad the Sailor for the British channel, Sky1.

Their self-taped video auditions as the Basra-born seafarer form part of a worldwide casting call that ends this week. The producers are looking for actors who look "Middle Eastern/Arabic", are 21 years old and fit.

"There's a good chance" someone from the region will be picked because he has to look the part, said Gemma Sykes, a casting associate with Hubbard. "Ideally we want someone who looks like they're from Basra and has that sort of sensibility.""

In Bad With Sinbad

"In Bad With Sinbad" - by Frank Dailey & his Stop & Go Orchestra (1930s).

This is a great big band era song that I don't know too much about, if anyone can add any info about the song or the band please do in the comments section. The song might be related to the book by the same name by Arthur Stringer though again I'm not sure at the moment!



some more info on Frank Dailey:

http://www.parabrisas.com/d_daileyf.php

The Rock as Sinbad

Casting has already begun for the upcoming 3D blockbuster based on the Nights and brought to you by several of the people who were responsible for The Mummy and its offspring.

The latest news has Dwayne Johnson (aka the wrestler known as "The Rock") set to play Sinbad.  Just when the poor hapless (and largely lucky) seafarer felt like he needed more muscles Hollywood steps in to chisel them out.  The more action/adventure warrior Sinbad is remade as the further his character gets away from the original sailor.

This movie is setting up to be even more bizarrely related to the stories of the Nights than the film it is purported to be based on (Maria Montez and Sabu's 1942 Technicolor Arabian Nights (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabian_Nights_%281942_film%29)).

Here's more about the Rock's role:

From Screenrant:  (http://screenrant.com/dwayne-johnson-sinbad-arabian-nights-benm-80871/)

"Sinbad will be one of three main characters in the upcoming 3D film adaptation of Arabian Nights, directed by Chuck Russell (who previously directed Johnson in The Scorpion King). If Dwayne Johnson agrees to play the badass sailor, he’ll be joining Liam Hemsworth (brother of Thor star Chris Hemsworth) as the main protagonist and Anthony Hopkins as the evil sorcerer Pharotu, murderer of Sinbad’s mermaid girlfriend.

And they say movies aren’t realistic anymore…

The overall plot for Arabian Nights, according to Russell (via Variety), is as follows:

“[A] young commander who, after his king is killed in a palace coup, joins forces with Sinbad, Alladin, and his genie to rescue Scheherazade and her kingdom from dark powers.”

Russell goes on to say that using top of the line 3D technology he’ll be giving audiences a carpet ride like they’ve never seen before. Really, Russell? I mean, is it even possible to top Disney’s Aladdin? Highly unlikely!"

and from Worst Previews.com:  http://www.worstpreviews.com/headline.php?id=19175&count=0

and cinemablend:  http://www.cinemablend.com/new/The-Rock-May-Play-Sinbad-In-Arabian-Nights-20897.html

New Manuscript Discovery for 101 Nights

I'm not too familiar with the story collection known as "One Hundred and One Nights" which, according to The Arabian Nights Encyclopedia originated from North Africa and contains some elements of the familiar stories from some of the oldest versions of the 1001 Nights.  If someone can point toward a copy for sale somewhere online or elsewhere I'd appreciate it (it's only in Arabic and French I believe).

From the encyclopedia:  "The work is structured as a frame story resembling the frame story of the Arabian Nights, with the motifs of adultery, the cycle of marriage and execution, and the figures of Shahrazad and Dinarzad (Dunyazad).  The collection contains eighteen stories.  These stories are similar to well-known stories in the Arabian Nights such as Uns al-Wujud and al-Ward fi'l-Akman, Ni'ma and Nu'm, The Three Apples, and Hasan of Basra.  The Mi'at Layla wa-layla also contains versions of the Book of Sindbad, The Ebony Horse, and The City of Brass" (vol 2 594-5).

The encyclopedia also says these stories were written in the 19th century, well after the main known Arabic versions of the 1001 Nights.

A recent news article featuring German scholar and translator Claudia Ott suggests that she has found a manuscript of the 101 Nights which predates even Galland's Syrian manuscript which is, if true, one of the most significant manuscript findings in the Nights' history.  The article suggests that this 101 Nights' manuscript dates from the 13th century which, apart from the Nabia Abbott fragment, would be the oldest manuscript for any stories relating to the 1001 Nights.

Whether or not this manuscript is indeed as old as they are claiming and what stories it contains remains to be seen but it is a very very interesting development nonetheless.

Here is the link to the article/interview with Ott:  http://www.qantara.de/webcom/show_article.php/_c-310/_nr-761/i.html

from the article:

"However, there are divergent opinions on the relationship between the two books. There is already a critical edition of the "101 Nights" based on much more recent manuscripts from the late 18th and early 19th centuries, whose publisher, Mahmud Tarshuna, claims that "101 Nights" is the substantially older and more original text. His argument uses motifs from the framing narrative to claim that the "101 Nights" is closer to the Sanskrit and Pali texts of their old Indian literary sources than "1001 Nights" is.

But we also have some very old sources for "1001 Nights". In Chicago in 1949, a double sheet of paper was discovered in a pile of papyrus that had been brought back from Egypt. It bore the title "Thousand Nights" ("alf layla" in Arabic) and the beginning of a description of one night. The double sheet is a palimpsest dated 879. Its origins are evidently not Egyptian, where papyrus was still preferred to paper at that time, but Syrian."

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"This also fits with what the Arabic sources tell us. Contemporary booksellers reports make it clear that a complete version, with 1000 Nights, must already have existed in the 9th century. Over the centuries several fragments of the work have been found, each of which have probably looked rather different from one another. The 1001st night was probably added in the early 12th century. In a notebook, discovered by chance in the Geniza in a synagogue in Cairo, there is the first known mention of the complete title on a lending note from around 1150: "Alf layla wa-layla" – "The Thousand and One Nights".

So I am convinced that "101Nights" and "1001 Nights" are part of a parallel tradition. "The Hundred and One Nights" and "The Thousand and One Nights" were contemporaneous with one another, the one probably better known in the west, the other in the east of the Arabian world. But all of this is something that requires further investigation. A magnificent chapter in Arab literary history has just been reopened."

Sinbad and the Minotaur (2011)

In one of the latest incarnations of Sinbad as action hero/martial arts expert we have the Australian film Sinbad and the Minotaur set to be released in 2011, not sure how widely.

I'm interested in these recreations of Nights tales particularly Sinbad because there are so many and because Sinbad has been remade so often into a muscular fighting swashbuckling hero and not the original sort of passive adventurer.

This film goes overboard in its scope and reels in some Greek mythology (why not! - some speculate Sinbad is a retelling of The Odyssey anyway) as well as martial arts.

From the article here: http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2010/02/09/186605_gold-coast-news.html

"The action-fantasy film follows Sinbad and his shipmates as they battle against the vicious minotaur of Greek mythology, a 3 1/2m tall hybrid of man and bull which stalks a labyrinth on the isle of Minos."

and

"Australian actor Manu Bennett, whose past credits include 30 Days of Night and Lantana, plays Sinbad.

The film's action involves sword fighting and stunt work for Bennett, who rumbled with professional wrestlers John Cena and 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin in the Queensland-shot films The Marine and The Condemned.

"The idea is that Sinbad, as a sailor, will have picked up bits and pieces of different fighting styles in his travels," said Bennett yesterday.

"There's so much action in the script it's going to be a very physical shoot.

"We're all expecting to cop a few knocks along the way but that's all part of the fun."

Bennett said he spent pre-production time mastering Sinbad's unique fighting style, which was designed specifically for the film and draws on a mix of Chinese sword choreography, stick fighting, European rapier and bar-room brawling."

additional children's books on wax

JC passes on a couple of books on record (that come with books to read along with) from his collection:

Little Golden books. They produced a series of books that included a 45 rpm record. Ali Baba was part of the series. Narrated by Dave Teig.

A 1970 record of Sinbad the Sailor. Story by Jimmy Johnson.

Sinbad Radio Show

Here is an old radio show archived online with Basil Rathbone as Sinbad. The Internet Archive is really amazing, I hope it turns people away from cable TV and this stuff becomes popular again.

Here is the recording:



Here is the website with the full playlist:

http://www.archive.org/details/otr_columbiamasterworksbasilrathbone

Sinbad the Sailor Comic Covers

More comic covers sent by JC of Wollamshram (thanks!) - these are all Sinbad comics.

Dell Comics
The 7th Voyage of Sinbad, 1958 (SN13):



Gold Key Comics
The Fantastic Voyages of Sindbad, 1 & 2, 1967. (SN35, SN38):



From Wikipedia: Marvel Comics published a two-issue adaptation in Worlds Unknown #7-8 (June & Aug. 1974). Titled The Golden Voyage of Sinbad: Land Of The Lost, it was by writer Len Wein and artists George Tuska and Vince Colletta:







Marvel Spotlight, #25, 1975 (SN36, SN37)
featuring "The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad":

"Dr. K" also has a review of a comic version of Sindbad and the film version as well with links to the trailer (you must see this great trailer if not the whole film!) and more pictures here:

http://doctor-k100.blogspot.com/2008/07/movies-of-my-childhood-captain-sindbad.html

Sinbad Poster (1918 Musical)

Adam Shankman to direct new Sinbad Movie

Adam Shankman, director of Hairspray and Bedtime Stories (Adam Sandler 1001 Night-esque holiday flick), is set to direct Columbia's latest incarnation of the "Nights," The 8th Voyage of Sinbad:

http://www.animationmagazine.net/article/9364

copied and pasted from the above article:

Director Sets Sails for Sinbad
Thursday, December 18, 2008
By: Ryan Ball

After trolling the waters of development hell for a few years, Columbia Pictures’ new Sinbad movie appears closer to actually being made. The studio is in talks with Adam Shankman to develop and direct its fantasy epic The 8th Voyage of Sinbad, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Neal Moritz of Original Film is producing the movie, which will involve animated monsters and other mythical elements, much like the earlier Ray Harryhausen Sinbad films.

Inspired by the 1958 classic The 7th Voyage of Sinbad, The 8th Voyage of Sinbad reportedly has the famous Persian sailor and crew marooned off the coast of China on a quest to find the Lamp of Aladdin when they cross paths with a beautiful princess afoul of a Chinese general with ill intent. The most recent version of the story was penned by screenwriters Cormac and Marianne Sellek Wibberley.

Directors John Singleton (Boyz in the Hood) and Rob Cohen (The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor) have each been attached to the project at one time, with actors Keanu Reeves and Vin Diesel ready to suit up in the title role. There’s no word on which actors Shankman is considering for Sinbad.

Shankman most recently directed the upcoming Adam Sandler family fantasy Bedtime Stories, which opens on Christmas Day. His previous efforts include the romantic comedy The Wedding Planner and the drama A Walk to Remember. He plans to also produce Sinbad with producing partner Jennifer Gibgot and Toby Jaffe.