The Brass Bottle (1964 film)
A modern man befriends a genie released from a brass bottle.
The 1964 American fantasy-comedy *The Brass Bottle* follows a contemporary man who accidentally befriends a genie who has been out of circulation for centuries. The cast includes Tony Randall, Burl Ives, and Barbara Eden. The movie adapts Thomas Anstey Guthrie’s 1900 novel of the same name, which had already been turned into two silent films, one in 1914 and another in 1923. This film later inspired the American fantasy sitcom *I Dream of Jeannie*, which starred Eden.
The story centers on Harold Ventimore, an eccentric and unsuccessful architect who has just gotten engaged to Sylvia Kenton. Her father, an Egyptology professor, rushes back from Europe to stop the marriage. To impress his future in-laws, Harold buys a large oriental brass bottle at an auction, only to learn they had purchased the same bottle the day before; he takes it home anyway. When he opens the lid, he releases the djinn Fakrash Al-Amash, imprisoned in the container by King Solomon three thousand years earlier. Harold initially thinks it is a joke and calls the police, but the djinn vanishes. The next day, a client named Samuel Wackerbath visits Harold with a generous advance for a new settlement project, which the djinn later admits he inspired. Harold’s boss, William Beevor, fires him for working behind his back, so Harold uses the advance to start his own firm.
One evening, Harold invites Sylvia and her parents to dinner, only to find his living room transformed into an oriental dining room with slaves, harem girls, and a belly dancer. The horrified Kentons leave, and when Harold tells Anthony about the djinn, the professor accuses him of insanity. Fakrash tries to break up Harold’s relationship by offering him many women, but Harold refuses, saying polygamy is illegal in the U.S. The djinn then conjures Tezra, a beautiful princess of the blue djinn, but Harold remains faithful to Sylvia. Fakrash cannot send Tezra away because blue djinns have their own magic. The next day, Sylvia visits with a psychoanalyst, sees Tezra, and assumes Harold is cheating. Harold asks Fakrash to reveal himself to Anthony, who rudely rejects him; Fakrash turns Anthony into a mule. Harold drives the mule to Fakrash, who only reverses the spell when Harold agrees to start a property company with him.
Six months later, they have built over a thousand houses.
- Release year
- 1964
- Country
- United States
- Genre
- Fantasy-comedy
- Director
- Not specified in source
- Starring
- Tony Randall, Burl Ives, Barbara Eden
- Based on
- 1900 novel by Thomas Anstey Guthrie
- Notable legacy
- Inspired the TV series I Dream of Jeannie
Lore & Background
The film follows Harold Ventimore, an eccentric, unsuccessful architect who becomes engaged to Sylvia Kenton. Her father, an Egyptology professor, returns from Europe to prevent the marriage. Harold buys a brass bottle at auction, unwittingly releasing the djinn Fakrash Al-Amash, imprisoned by King Solomon 3,000 years earlier. The djinn attempts to help Harold by influencing a client, transforming his home into an oriental setting with slaves and harem girls, and conjuring a female blue genie named Tezra, all of which complicates Harold's relationship with Sylvia.
Harold's attempts to convince others of the djinn's existence lead to him being committed to a psychiatric ward. Fakrash defends him in court by displaying his powers, but this causes new problems. Ultimately, Fakrash resets everything to before they met, erasing Harold's memory. Harold then meets a new business partner and his wife, not recognizing them as Fakrash and Tezra.
The film was made on a modest budget, shot primarily on the back lot of Universal Studios with rear screen projection, giving it the look of a standard sitcom from the era. Critical response was mixed: The New York Times found it 'about as funny as your own funeral,' while later reviewers called it 'not a bad little movie' and 'pleasant, amiable and diverting.' Jack G. Shaheen criticized the film for its stereotypical images of Arabs.
Reader's Guide
The Brass Bottle holds significance primarily as a precursor to the popular television series I Dream of Jeannie, which starred Barbara Eden. Although Eden did not play a genie in this film, her role was instrumental in getting her cast as the star of that series. The film itself is a modest fantasy-comedy that reflects early 1960s Hollywood filmmaking, with a sitcom-like aesthetic due to its low budget and studio-bound production. Its legacy includes a 1967 Tamil remake, Pattanathil Bhootham, directed by Javar Sitaraman. The film also drew criticism for its exoticized and stereotypical portrayal of Arab culture, particularly in its depiction of a harem and the transformation of Harold's home into an inaccurate 'Baghdad' setting. Despite mixed reviews, it remains a notable entry in the genie-themed film genre.
Did You Know?
- The film is based on a 1900 novel by Thomas Anstey Guthrie, which had been adapted twice before in the silent film era (1914 and 1923).
- Barbara Eden's role in this film helped her get cast as the star of I Dream of Jeannie, though she did not play a genie here.
- The film was remade in Tamil in 1967 as Pattanathil Bhootham.
- The djinn Fakrash Al-Amash was imprisoned in the bottle by King Solomon 3,000 years before the film's events.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who stars in The Brass Bottle (1964)?
Tony Randall leads the cast as Harold Ventimore, an eccentric architect, while Burl Ives and Barbara Eden round out the principal players in this 1964 American fantasy-comedy.
What is the genie's role in The Brass Bottle (1964)?
The genie is a centuries-old spirit that has been out of circulation before being released from a brass bottle and befriended by Harold Ventimore. The film's plot centers on their unlikely partnership and the genie's involvement in Harold's personal life.
What is The Brass Bottle (1964) based on?
The screenplay adapts Thomas Anstey Guthrie's 1900 novel of the same title, which had already been turned into two earlier silent-film versions in 1914 and 1923.
Why is The Brass Bottle (1964) significant in film history?
The movie is best remembered for directly inspiring the long-running American fantasy sitcom I Dream of Jeannie, which featured Barbara Eden in a starring role. It also stands as the third screen adaptation of Guthrie's original story.
Who is the main character in The Brass Bottle (1964)?
Harold Ventimore, played by Tony Randall, is a contemporary, unsuccessful architect who has just become engaged to Sylvia Kenton when he accidentally befriends a long-lost genie.
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