The Wonders of Aladdin (Italian: Le meraviglie di Aladino) is a 1961 Italian-French-American comedy fantasy film directed by Henry Levin (with second unit direction by Mario Bava—uncredited in U.S. prints but credited as sole director in Italy) and produced by Joseph E. Levine for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The film stars Donald O'Connor as the title character. Cast Donald O'Connor as Aladdin Nöelle Adam as Djalma Vittorio De Sica as Geni Aldo Fabrizi as Sultan Michèle Mercier as Princess Zaiha Milton Reid as Omar Mario Girotti as Prince Moluk Fausto Tozzi as Grand Vizier Marco Tulli as Fakir Production O'Connor signed to make the film in October 1960. O'Connor said "The story of Aladdin has been done by everyone but this is its first time around as a comedy." The Wonders of Aladdin was produced in tandem with two Steve Reeves vehicles, Morgan, the Pirate and The Thief of Baghdad, with producer Joseph E. Levine, set designer Flavio Mogherini, cinematographer Tonino Delli Colli and special effects artist Mario Bava working on all three films; Levine packaged and sold their worldwide distribution rights to MGM. Shooting The film was shot in location in Tunisia with studio work in Rome. Filming started December 1960. The Tunisian government were keen to attract filmmakers to the region and provided much assistance, including the loan of their army as soldiers. According to camera operator Marcello Gatti, Henry Levin directed "80%" of The Wonders of Aladdin, while Bava's on-set contributions consisted of second unit direction and supervising the film's special effects. Because Bava was also in charge of the film's post-production process in Italy, such as its dubbing, Italian and French prints use the credit "A film by Henry Levin, directed by Mario Bava". English language prints only credit Levin with direction. Tim Lucas notes in his 2020 audio commentary for the Kino Lorber DVD and Blu-Ray that the use of a mosque as a shooting location caused a violent revolt that led to the killing of five people, followed by the killing of a security guard at the American embassy that had cleared the location for the shoot. Lucas notes that Bava himself had numerous spears pointed at his head during the attack, which he considered the most frightening moment in his life. While filming in Tunisia in December, Donald O'Connor suffered a blood hemorrhage on this throat and had to be rushed to hospital. Vittorio De Sica