Watched the 1940 Thief of Bagdad (a new release from Criterion) last night. Story rickety, songs naf, and Ahmad seemed a very English idea of a deposed monarch, rather as if the Duke of Windsor had been released in the desert wearing only his underpants. Abu (the thief of the title) cute but I wonder if having him turned into a dog and licking hands showed sufficient cultural sensitivity. A lot of dialog on the order of "Speak up, O toothless one!" There is a genie, a flying carpet, pointy shoes, scimitars, etc. Ho hum.And then there is the Silver Maid:
