Tony Randall hoping to impress his rather stern would be father-in-law Edward
Andrews the archeology professor with a big brass urn that he says is authentic.
When he sees one in Andrews's home, Randall is rather discouraged. But when he
opens his brass urn at home it really is authentic because through the green smoke out pops Burl Ives as Fakrash the genie.
Of course Fakrash who has been imprisoned since the days of King Suleiman, that's Solomon to the shegetz and he wants to do all kinds of things to his
new friend and master Randall. Of course he's got a few thousand years of
culture to catch up on so he manages to make a hash out of Randall's professional and personal life. That includes his courting of Barbara Eden who
is Edward Andrews's daughter.
Randall and Ives play well off each other. Ives with a twinkle in his eye looks
like he's having a great old time hamming it up in a role that calls for some
generous pork. Randall does well in a role I could see Jack Lemmon possibly
as better casting. I'll bet Lemmon got offered this one.
The 20th Century wasn't quite ready for Fakrash the genie, but Ives learns as he observes. As for how it works out, look to how it all worked out for David
Niven and Loretta Young after Cary Grant the angel did take his leave of them.
Of course this is quite a bit different.
And a lot funnier besides.