The 19 May 1923 Motion Picture News indicated that Evelyn Brent was initially cast in the leading female role that was later assumed by Julanne Johnston. According to the 7 Jul 1923 Moving Picture World, producer and star Douglas Fairbanks selected mostly unknown actors for the remainder of the cast, believing that well-established star personas would interfere with the audience’s regard for the fantastical settings.
       The 8 Jul 1923 FD reported the start of principal photography. To accommodate the production, Fairbanks purchased several acres of land behind the Pickford-Fairbanks Studios in West Hollywood, CA, which he co-owned with his wife, actress Mary Pickford, as stated in the 4 May 1923 FD. According to a 7 Jul 1923 Exhibitors Trade Review, 700,000 feet of lumber were used to build the lavish sets. Although several contemporary sources suggested the picture was originally scheduled for a winter 1923 release, filming continued well into the new year due to the intricacies of the production design, which the 28 Jul 1923 Exhibitors Trade Review claimed to include the “latest innovations in the art of photography.” A Feb 1924 AmCin item announced the imminent completion of production, after more than thirty-two weeks. A 13 Nov 1923 FD article listed a budget of nearly $2 million.
       The New York City premiere took place 18 Mar 1924 at the Liberty Theatre. Although released with only twelve reels, film was copyrighted at fourteen reels, or 12,933 feet.
       In Dec 1924, AmCin published an obituary for Latham Moore, who reportedly assisted director of photography Arthur Edeson during production.
       It was voted one of the “Top Best Features” of 1924 by the 1929 Film Daily Year Book, as reported in the Feb 7, 1930 FD. The Jun 1924 The Educational Screen also listed The Thief of Bagdad as one of “The Ten Best [Films] for 1924-25.”
       Another film based on the tale was the 1940 United Artists release of the same title, produced by Alexander Korda, directed by Ludwig Berger, Michael Powell and Tim Whelan and starring Conrad Veidt and Sabu (see entry). More Less