The 15 May 1926 Motion Picture News announced that Samuel Goldwyn had purchased screen rights to Rudolph Lothar’s 1904 novel, König Harlekin (King Harlequin), which he would produce under the title The Vagabond Prince. Henry King was named as the director, and Vilma Banky and Ronald Colman were set to star. The 8 Aug 1926 FD reported that Bess Meredyth would write the adaptation, and production would begin following King’s completion of filming on The Winning of Barbara Worth (1926, see entry).
       According to the 20 Aug 1926 FD, United Artists Corp. (UA) was releasing a feature with the working title The Vagabond Prince at that time, starring John Barrymore. That film was ultimately released as The Beloved Rogue (1927, see entry). However, the 2 Oct 1926 Moving Picture World stated that UA would be releasing Goldwyn’s picture, The Vagabond Prince. Consequently, the 20 Oct 1926 FD indicated that Goldwyn’s film was now titled King Harlequin.
       Five months later, the 27 Mar 1927 FD announced the final title change to The Magic Flame, and noted that principal photography was underway at De Mille Studios in Culver City, CA.
       The Mar 1927 AmCin named George Barnes as chief cinematographer, and the 30 Mar 1927 Var and the 10 Apr 1927 FD added William Bakewell, Victor De Linsky, and Florence Roberts to the cast.
       On 29 Jun 1927, Var indicated that filming as well as editing had been completed, but the release would be delayed until Sep 1927.
       The Magic Flame opened at the Rialto Theatre in New York City on 17 Sep 1927, according to the 19 Sep 1927 FD. Reviews were positive. The 11 Sep 1927 FD praised the “well-knit” story and noted King’s expert direction and Colman’s performance. The 21 Sep 1927 Var deemed the picture “splendidly produced” and a “class boxoffice picture,” and highlighted the “highly satisfactory” partnership of Colman and Banky.
       As part of the first Academy Awards in 1929, cinematographer George Barnes received a certificate of honorable mention, in part for his work on this film and on The Devil Dancer (1927) and Sadie Thompson (1928, see entries).