The 15 Dec 1960 DV announced producer Bert I. Gordon’s upcoming project, provisionally titled St. George and the 7 Curses, to be distributed by United Artists Corporation (UA). The screenplay was adapted from a story by Gordon, “based partially on English legend.” Filming was expected to conclude in twenty-five days. Principal photography began 11 Jan 1961 at Goldwyn Studios in West Hollywood, CA, according to 13 Jan 1961 DV production charts. The 18 Jan 1961 DV noted that lead actress Anne Helm wore a “flesh-colored suit” for her supposed nude swimming scene.
       On 24 Mar 1961, DV reported that composer Richard Markowitz was in the process of scoring the film. Two months later, the 22 May 1961 DV announced the official title as The Magic Sword. As stated in the 18 Jul 1961 DV, Gordon finished “several months” of special effects photography the previous day, at an estimated cost of $220,000.
       The 8 Dec 1961 DV reported that UA delivered press kits to exhibitors five months prior to the film’s scheduled Easter 1962 release. Fred Goldberg, executive director of publicity for the company, briefed journalists on the advertising campaign, which labeled the picture as a fairy tale for younger children, and as an adventure story for older children.
       The Magic Sword opened 11 Apr 1962 in Los Angeles, CA. Reviews were generally positive, particularly regarding special effects. The 9 Aug 1962 DV noted that it received a certificate of merit from the Southern California Motion Picture Council. The film was double-billed in several locations with the Italian production, Mighty Ursus (1962).