I never had a chance to see the play and would like to someday. In the meantime, I have a DVD copy of the movie with Tony Randall, Barbara Eden, and Burl Ives (1964, Harry Keller). I would like the other movie versions also.
The story is simple but becomes complex. Mild-mannered, obscure architect Horace Ventimore (Tony Randall) is in love with Sylvia Kenton (Barbara Eden,” I Dream of Jeannie”). In an attempt to impress his potential father-in-law, Professor Kenton (Edward Andrews), Horace purchases a KumKum (ancient brass bottle). Upon opening it, you guess it's a djinn, Fakrash (Burl Ives), pops out; in his gratitude, Fakrash helps Ventimore in a way you would not believe; neither did Ventimore.
The story was slightly modified from the book, but the modifications add to the plot. It is as if the actors were born for the parts they play. Burl Ives makes a believable Fakrash; you would think F. Anstey had him in mind when he wrote the novel in 1900.
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