ALADIN OU LA LAMPE MERVEILLEUSE (1906)
aka Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp
Article 2474 by Dave Sindelar
Viewing Date: 1-10-2008
Posting Date: 5-21-2008
Directed by Albert Capellani
Featuring Georges Vinter
Country: France

Aladdin discovers a lamp with a genie and uses it to win the hand of a princess.

Yes, it’s the basic Aladdin story told in twelve minutes as a silent. All the title cards are in French, but if you know the story, it’s no obstacle at all. My copy is in beautiful hand-tinted color and in very nice condition. It’s pretty straightforward, though I do wonder why the genie appears as an imp in most of the scenes but as a misshapen giant in the scene where they redecorate Aladdin’s home. Still, whatever you think of them, you have to admire these early silents for their efficiency; you reach the end of the story by the time most movies are just getting started.