Cole Porter's version of the story of Aladdin--his only musical written especially for television.
Writing
Cole Porter's final complete score—witty, decadent, slightly unhinged
Acting
Basil Rathbone playing emperor with full Shakespearean ham energy
Production
Lavish NBC color broadcast that bankrupted the budget
Director
Ralph Nelson
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was NBC's first full-color musical spectacular, airing February 21, 1958—Porter was so ill he couldn't attend and died eight months later.
The 'Chinese princess in Arabia' chaos reflects 1950s America's lazy conflation of all 'exotic' cultures—Porter reportedly fought to keep some of his racier lyrics about harems.
US
