Aladdin (1990 film)
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| Aladdin | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Micky Dolenz |
| Produced by | Martin Tahse Donald Kushner Peter Locke |
| Written by | Martin Tahse Jim Eiler |
| Based on | Aladdin by The Prince Street Players |
| Starring | Barry Bostwick Brent Sudduth Susan Egan Richard Kiley |
| Music by | Jeanne Bargy Jim Eiler |
| Cinematography | William H. Meurer |
| Edited by | Jerry Eisenberg |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | The Disney Channel |
Release date | 1990 |
Running time | 69 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
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Aladdin is a 1990 American musical television film produced for The Disney Channel, and directed by Micky Dolenz.
Plot[edit]
The musical centers on Aladdin, a young man who struggles against the weight of his mother's expectations that he take on a trade ("Aladdin"). During one outing with his friends ("Fly My Kite") Aladdin's kite lands in the Emperor's yard, where, in retrieval, he meets the beautiful Mei-Ling. Kept away from the outside world and particularly male suitors, a flustered Mei-Ling resorts to discussing the weather in order to keep talking to Aladdin ("A Lovely Morning"). The encounter leaves both smitten with one another ("A Lovely Morning" reprise), however Aladdin's joy is tempered by the fact that he will need money and power to impress the Emperor and marry Mei-Ling.
Aladdin is soon approached by an evil Magician, who wants to use him for his own purposes as he needs a patsy to enter a dangerous cave and retrieve a magic lamp ("Hi Di-Di-Di"). The Magician lulls Aladdin into a false sense of security using magic and by claiming to be his long lost uncle. That night Aladdin leaves home and ventures into the desert with the man. He successfully enters the cave and gains the lamp. Upon trying to exit the cave Aladdin realizes that the Magician's true intent was to steal the lamp and leave Aladdin to die inside the cave. Unwilling to allow Aladdin to leave, the Magician lets the cave close upon him. Now trapped in the cave, Aladdin discovers that the lamp contains a Genie, who informs him that he can now make wishes upon the lamp. ("Free" and "I Am a Genie") Aladdin wishes to be freed from the cave and to have enough wealth to marry Mei-Lin, which the Genie eagerly grants. ("Up Up Up High" and reprise) Now back at the Emperor's palace, Aladdin wins over the Emperor by giving him Fatima the Dancing Doll as part of a dowry. Overjoyed, Aladdin and Mei-Ling marry amidst cheers ("A Lovely Evening") while the Genie builds the two a new palace. ("Palace/A Lovely Evening")
Their joy is short lived, as the Magician is eventually able to trick Aladdin's mother into trading the Genie's lamp for a shiny new one, as neither she nor Mei-Lin were ever told of the Genie's existence. The Magician then quickly uses the Genie to destroy Aladdin's home and force Mei-Lin to become his bride. Aladdin, who had been away during this, convinces Mei-Lin to drug the Magician ("Tea Time") while he gloats about his seeming victory ("The Lamp Song"), however her attempts are quickly discovered ("Tea Time" reprise) Just as all seems lost, Fatima gives Aladdin a ring that also contains a Genie, which he uses to overpower the Magician and restore all to right. ("Genie Like Me")
Cast[edit]
- Barry Bostwick as Genie of the Lamp / Genie of the Ring
- Brent Sudduth as Aladdin
- Susan Egan as Princess Mei-Ling
- Richard Kiley as The Magician
- I.M. Hobson as The Emperor
- Jane A. Johnston as Aladdin's mother
- Donna McKechnie as Fatima the Dancing Doll
- Lu Leonard as Mrs. Chang
Production[edit]
The film is based on a stage production by the Prince Street Players, a Manhattan-based children's acting troupe, founded by Jim Eiler in 1965.[1] Barry Bostwick, Richard Kiley and Donna McKechnie were brought on to perform in the musical. This production marked Bostwick's first time performing in a musical since starring as The Pirate King in a stage run of The Pirates of Penzance in the early 1980s.[2] Susan Egan, who plays the female lead of Mei-Ling, would go on to star as Belle in Disney Theatrical Group's 1994 Beauty and the Beast stage production, as well as Megara in Hercules (1997).[citation needed]
Production for the musical took place in early 1990.[2]
Music[edit]
The film features 17 songs composed by Jeanne Bargy and Jim Eiler, based on those from the stage production.
| No. | Song | Performer(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Fly My Kite" | Aladdin Male Ensemble |
| 2 | "A Lovely Morning" | Mei-Ling Aladdin |
| 3 | "A Lovely Morning" (reprise) | Mei-Ling |
| 4 | "Hi-Di-Di-Di" | The Magician |
| 5 | "Aladdin" | Aladdin's mother |
| 6 | "Now We Stand" | The Magician |
| 7 | "Free" | Genie of the Lamp |
| 8 | "I Am a Genie" | Genie of the Lamp Aladdin |
| 9 | "Up Up Up Up High" | |
| 10 | "Up Up Up Up High" (reprise) | |
| 11 | "Aladdin" (reprise) | Mrs. Chang Aladdin's mother Genie of the Lamp |
| 12 | "A Lovely Evening" | Company |
| 13 | "A Palace / A Lovely Evening" (reprise) | Genie of the Lamp Company |
| 14 | "Tea Time" | Mei-Ling Aladdin |
| 15 | "The Lamp Song" | The Magician |
| 16 | "Tea Time" (reprise) | Mei-Ling The Magician |
| 17 | "Genie Like Me" | Genie of the Lamp Genie of the Ring Aladdin Mei-Ling Aladdin's mother The Emperor Company |
Release[edit]
Aladdin premiered on The Disney Channel in 1990, followed by a home video release that summer.[3] The movie was given a DVD release in 2012 through independent distributor Multicom Entertainment Group[citation needed] and in 2020 RiffTrax released the film with a feature-length commentary.[4]
Reception[edit]
Aladdin premiered on The Disney Channel to negative reviews, which largely criticized poor special effects and its cast of predominantly Caucasian actors in an ancient China setting.
References[edit]
- ↑ "History & Photo Gallery". Prince Street Players. Retrieved 2023-01-26.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Buck, Jerry (February 25, 1990). "Barry Bostwick explores other worlds in 'Challenger' movie". The Sacramento Bee (Newspapers.com).
- ↑ "Top Videos". Logansport Pharos-Tribune (Newspapers.com). June 14, 1990.
- ↑ "Aladdin". RiffTrax. RiffTrax. Retrieved 2023-01-26.
External links[edit]
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- English-language films
- 1990 films
- 1990 television films
- 1990s children's films
- 1990s television films
- American musical fantasy films
- American romantic fantasy films
- American romantic musical films
- Films based on Aladdin
- Films set in ancient China
- Musical television films
- Disney Channel original films
- 1990s comedy film stubs
