Discount Adventures of Marco Polo (1938)

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You simply can't take "The Adventures of Marco Polo" seriously...but as a light-hearted, glossy, tongue-in-cheek adventure, the film is great fun, from the same year as Warner's "The Adventures of Robin Hood".

With producer Samuel Goldwyn's biggest box office star, Gary Cooper, in the lead, as a drawling, skirt-chasing Polo, the film opens with an opulent, Hollywood version of 13th century Venice, then quickly moves to the steppes of central Asia, and finally the equally opulent court of Chinese Emperor Kublai Khan (George Barbier), where Cooper and his groaning comic relief (Ernest Truex) encounter Khan's exotic, if not particularly Oriental-looking, daughter (Sigrid Gurie...who learns how to kiss from the obliging Polo), and Khan's ruthless adviser, Ahmed (another terrific villainous portrayal by Basil Rathbone), who has designs on both China and Gurie.

Screenwriter Robert Sherwood tosses in a bit of history (the Chinese inventions of spaghetti and gunpowder, introduced to Polo by H.B. Warner, channeling his "Lost Horizon" persona), but clearly treats the storyline as farce, adding a feared (but henpecked) tribal chief (a heavily made-up Alan Hale), and his jealous wife (Binnie Barnes, who also falls under Polo's spell). Also, watch for 17-year-old Lana Turner in a small but showy role as a most desirable Chinese handmaiden (this is the infamous film where Goldwyn's makeup department burned off her eyebrows, permanently).

Directed by veteran director Archie Mayo (who lacked Michael Curtiz' flair for epic period adventure), the action scenes are a bit flat, and Cooper's climactic fight with Rathbone is somewhat disappointing (truthfully, he seems out-of-place confronting a swashbuckling villain). Certainly, 1938 audiences weren't 'buying' Cooper as an Italian adventurer (it WAS a stretch!), and the film flopped, but if you're in the mood for pure escapism, from Hollywood's 'Golden' age, "The Adventures of Marco Polo" is certainly worth a look!

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The problem with Marco Polo is that it couldn't make up its mind whether it was a comedy or swashbuckler. Although I like him, Gary Cooper is miscast in this role (Ronald Colman or Robert Donat would have been better) and the screenplay needed to be more sober. George Barbier's Kubla Khan (sp?) is better suited to a Paramount farce with W.C. Fields. Ernest Truex, with that whiny voice, is almost unbearable. Who comes out on top as usual?....Basil Rathbone. He is the only reason I would watch this film.

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It is obvious from the photo that this particular movie does not feature Gary Cooper as Marco Polo. It is a more recently produced movie about Marco Polo, and the most famous actor is Jack Palance who plays Beezlebub, a self-proclaimed nastiest ruler of Armenia. This movie also does not take place on the water, rather Mr. Polo and company travel overland, seeking the way to China. Great costuming and excellent lighting for the beautiful terrain. If you're looking for an afternoon's or evening's entertainment, this is the one. No guarantees of historical correctness.

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Just checked this out on Prime and I truly was surprised. A mild action/adventure/comedy that can be enjoyed by the whole family. A light hearted swashbuckler that tells a story of how Marco Polo went in search of his father and ended up rescuing a princess. It's a reminder of the old Sinbad films but without the lavish fx. It's unfortunate that Oliver Reed's role is rather short but Jack Palance is unforgettable as Beezlebub. The true stand out in this picture is Cas Anvar. Yup, Altair ibn La-Ahad from Assassins Creed Revelations. He plays the comic relief and true saviour of the film, Youssef. Be the judge for yourself and check this fun film out!

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Ok, I know that there is a lot about this film that is silly, but I can't help it..... I loved this when I saw it as a kid, and I loved it just as much seeing it again 45 years later.

Maybe it's because I'm one of those folks who is completely willing to suspend belief and let the film makers take me into their world, but I thoroughly enjoy adventures like this one.

The transfer was good, the film making was technically satisfying, and the story.... well..... what could be more fun than traveling through strange foreign lands with your ever faithful servant by your side, partaking of the wonders along the way and battling the likes of the absolutely evil Basil Rathbone.

Ok, I'll admit that when I saw Alan Hale as the leader of the rebel tribe I had to laugh..... and yes, we was totally unbelievable, but hey, an actor has got to work, and he was in just about every other picture made during this time period so what the heck : )

As long as you don't take it to seriously, it's a fun Saturday afternoon adventure filled romp.