View source for Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum 1956 film

{{Short description|1956 film by T. R. Sundaram}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2021}}
{{good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Infobox film
| image          = Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum 1956 poster.jpg
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| director       = [[T. R. Sundaram]]
| producer       = T. R. Sundaram
| writer         = Modern Theatres Story Department
| based_on       = {{based on|''[[Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves]]''}}
| starring       = [[M. G. Ramachandran]]<br />[[P. Bhanumathi]]
| music          = [[Susarla Dakshinamurthi]]
| cinematography = W. R. Subba Rao
| editing        = L. Balu
| studio         = [[Modern Theatres]]
| distributor    = <!-- don't add without source -->
| released       = {{Film date|df=y|1956|1|14}}
| runtime        = 149–160 minutes{{efn|The 2017 book ''Contes et légendes d'Orient'' by Hervé Dumont gives the runtime as 149 minutes,{{sfn|Dumont|2017|p=94}} while ''Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema'' gives its runtime as 160 minutes.{{sfn|Rajadhyaksha|Willemen|1998|p=339}} }}
| country        = India
| language       = Tamil
}}

'''''Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum''''' ({{translation|Alibaba and the Forty Thieves}}) is a 1956 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[Fantasy film|fantasy]] [[swashbuckler film]] directed and produced by [[T. R. Sundaram]] of [[Modern Theatres]]. The film stars [[M. G. Ramachandran]] and [[P. Bhanumathi]], with [[K. Sarangapani]], [[P. S. Veerappa]], [[K. A. Thangavelu]], [[M. N. Rajam]], Sushila, Vidhyavathi, and [[M. G. Chakrapani]] in supporting roles. It revolves around [[Ali Baba (character)|Alibaba]], a woodcutter who becomes wealthy after finding a secret treasure cave, but must keep his source of wealth a secret to lead a peaceful life.

''Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum'' was shot in [[Gevacolor]] and is notable for being the first [[Tamil cinema|Tamil]] and [[Cinema of South India|South Indian]] full-length colour film. It is a remake of the 1954 [[Hindi]] film ''[[Alibaba Aur 40 Chor (1954 film)|Alibaba Aur 40 Chor]]'', itself based on the story ''[[Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves]]'' from ''[[One Thousand and One Nights]]''. It is also the second Tamil film adaptation of that story, after the [[Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum (1941 film)|1941 film]] of the same name. Filming took place mainly at [[Mysore]] and [[Yercaud]]. The soundtrack was composed by [[Susarla Dakshinamurthi]], and re-used many songs from ''Alibaba Aur 40 Chor''.

''Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum'' was released on 14 January 1956, during the festive occasion of [[Pongal (festival)|Pongal]]. It was a milestone in Ramachandran's career and became a success at the box office which was largely attributed to it being the first full-length colour film in South India. The songs also attained popularity. The film won the Film Fans' Association Award for Best Tamil Film.

== Plot ==
<!-- https://web.archive.org/web/20180319092807/http://i59.tinypic.com/11t4lg3.jpg -->
[[Morgiana (character)|Marziana]], a [[Baghdad]]-based dancer, is abducted by the tyrant Sher Khan, commander of the notorious king [[List of One Thousand and One Nights characters#Cassim|Amir Kasim Khan]], to his palace. She is rescued by [[Ali Baba (character)|Alibaba]], a woodcutter who fights with Sher Khan and vanquishes him. Marziana and her sidekick Dowlath find refuge in Alibaba's house who lives with his sister Ayisha and servant Bulbul. Marziana learns that they are the siblings of Kasim, who had driven them out at the instigation of his cruel wife Salima. Marziana and Alibaba later fall in love. When Alibaba goes to cut wood, he chances upon the cavernous hideout of Abu Hussain, the leader of forty [[Dacoity|dacoits]], and overhears the secret code to enter and exit the cave. After the dacoits leave, Alibaba uses the code word, enters the hideout, and takes some of the cave's wealth which he uses to help poor people nearby. Both Alibaba and Marziana become wealthy overnight.

Kasim becomes jealous when he hears about his brother's fortune and wishes to uncover the secret behind it. Under Salima's guidance, he invites Alibaba and his household to a feast. After cunningly discovering the secret of the dacoits' cave, Kasim sentences Alibaba to death, falsely accusing him of attempted murder. Marziana pretends to heed Kasim's order, declaring that Alibaba has been unfaithful to her and deserves this retribution. Taking a knife, Marziana acts as though she intends to kill Alibaba, but instead cuts the ropes binding his hands. A fight ensues between Alibaba and Kasim's thugs, during which Salima is accidentally killed. However, Alibaba manages to subdue them and escapes with his allies.

Kasim enters the cave and greedily begins collecting treasures. He soon forgets the code word and finds himself trapped. The dacoits return and kill him for trespassing into their secret cave. Alibaba later visits the location and is shocked to find his brother dead; he takes the corpse away. After Kasim's death is publicly announced, Alibaba is proclaimed the new king of Baghdad, and everyone rejoices. Meanwhile, the dacoits return to their cave and discover that Kasim's corpse is missing. Realising that someone else has entered their cave, they begin searching for this mysterious intruder. From the cobbler Ghulam's assertion that the woodcutter Alibaba has become wealthy overnight, Abu Hussain deduces that it was Alibaba who uncovered the secret of the cave, but then kills Ghulam. He subsequently plots to kill Alibaba.

Having his men hide inside barrels, Abu Hussain approaches Alibaba's house disguised as an oil merchant seeking shelter for the night. However, Marziana overhears him whispering to his men, recognising his true identity. While she dances at a banquet hosted by Alibaba in honour of the guest, Dowlath and Bulbul roll the barrels one by one towards the waterfall as per their plan. After Marziana attempts unsuccessfully to stab the "oil merchant," she exposes him as Abu Hussain, shocking Alibaba. This revelation leads to a confrontation between the two men, culminating in Abu Hussain kidnapping Marziana and fleeing to the cave. Alibaba pursues him and reaches the cave, where he kills Abu Hussain after an intense battle. After rescuing Marziana, they marry and continue their social work.

== Cast ==
<!-- As per the opening credits and songbook.-->
{{Col-begin|width=70%}}
{{col-break|width=50%}}
;Male cast<ref name="songbook" />
* [[M. G. Ramachandran]] as [[Ali Baba (character)|Alibaba]]
* [[K. Sarangapani]] as Dowlath
* [[P. S. Veerappa]] as Abu Hussain
* [[K. A. Thangavelu]] as Ghulam
* [[M. G. Chakrapani]] as [[List of One Thousand and One Nights characters#Cassim|Amir Kasim Khan]]
* Boopathi Nandaram as Sher Khan
* [[O. A. K. Thevar]] as Hameed
* [[K. K. Soundar]] as Abdullah
* Gundu Mani, Gopal, Muthu, Janakiram as [[sepoy]]s
{{col-break|width=50%}}
;Female cast<ref name="songbook" />
* [[P. Bhanumathi]] as [[Morgiana (character)|Marziana]]
* Vidyavathi as Salima
* [[M. N. Rajam]] as Bulbul
* P. Sushila as Ayisha
;Dance<ref name="songbook" />
* [[Sayee–Subbulakshmi|Sayee & Subbulakshmi]]
* [[Waheeda Rehman]]
{{col-end}}

== Production ==
<!-- https://www.hindutamil.in/news/literature/530414-vennira-ninaivukal.html -->
<!-- http://www.goldentamilcinema.net/index.php/mgr/articles/93-2012-08-05-14-37-59 -->

=== Development ===
After the success of the Hindi film ''[[Alibaba Aur 40 Chor (1954 film)|Alibaba Aur 40 Chor]]'' (1954), based on the story ''[[Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves]]'' from ''[[One Thousand and One Nights]]'', [[Modern Theatres]] bought the rights to remake the film in Tamil as ''Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum''.<ref name="dtnext">{{Cite web |last=Ramakrishnan |first=Venkatesh |date=2 July 2022 |title=Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves: The first colour Tamil film |url=https://www.dtnext.in/city/2022/07/03/ali-baba-and-the-forty-thieves-the-first-colour-tamil-film |access-date=20 November 2022 |website=[[DT Next]]}}</ref> The film's story is credited to the Modern Theatres' Story Department.<ref>{{Cite AV media |title=Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum |type=motion picture |language=ta |publisher=[[Modern Theatres]] |year=1956 |author-link=T. R. Sundaram |time=0:33}}</ref> ''Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum'' became the second major Tamil film adaptation of the story of Ali Baba; the first was the [[Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum (1941 film)|1941 film of the same name]].{{sfn|Rajadhyaksha|Willemen|1998|p=339}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=Guy |first=Randor |author-link=Randor Guy |date=1 May 2011 |title=Ali Babavum Naarpathu Thirudargalum 1941 |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.hindu.com/cp/2011/05/01/stories/2011050150341600.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=3 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109063837/http://www.hindu.com/cp/2011/05/01/stories/2011050150341600.htm |archive-date=9 November 2012}}</ref> While that version was a [[Comedy film|comedy]], this one was more [[Action film|action]]-oriented.<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 July 2017 |title=பிளாஷ்பேக்: என்.எஸ்.கிருஷ்ணன் ஹீரோவாக நடித்த அலிபாபாவும் 40 திருடர்களும் |language=ta |trans-title=Flashback: ''Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum'', where N. S. Krishnan played hero |work=[[Dinamalar]] |url=https://cinema.dinamalar.com/tamil-news/61305/cinema/Kollywood/Before-mgr,-nsk-also-act-in-alibabavum-40-thirudargalum.htm |url-status=live |access-date=29 July 2017 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170726120626/http://cinema.dinamalar.com/tamil-news/61305/cinema/Kollywood/Before-mgr,-nsk-also-act-in-alibabavum-40-thirudargalum.htm |archive-date=26 July 2017}}</ref>

In addition to producing, Modern Theatres founder [[T. R. Sundaram]] also directed the film.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chelangad |first=Saju |date=29 June 2014 |title=Leeds, love and Modern Theatres |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/society/leeds-love-and-modern-theatres/article6158141.ece |url-status=live |access-date=11 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911083007/http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/society/leeds-love-and-modern-theatres/article6158141.ece |archive-date=11 September 2016}}</ref> A. J. Dominic was signed as the film's art director, while W. R. Subba Rao, L. Balu, and [[Murasoli Maran]] were in charge of the cinematography, editing, and dialogues respectively.{{Sfn|Rajadhyaksha|Willemen|1998|p=339}}<ref name="Alibaba credits" /> A. K. Chopra and [[K. N. Dandayudhapani Pillai|K. N. Dhandayudhapani Pillai]]<!--K. N. Dandayudhapani Pillai in the cast list spelled with "h" after D, it's DHanda... There isn't any spelling error here, it is only spelled "Dhandayudhapani" in the movie--> were in charge of the choreography.<ref>{{Cite AV media |title=Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum |type=motion picture |language=ta |publisher=[[Modern Theatres]] |year=1956 |time=0:50}}</ref>

=== Casting ===
[[M. G. Ramachandran]] was cast as [[Ali Baba (character)|Alibaba]],{{sfn|Rajadhyaksha|Willemen|1998|p=339}} this being the final of his three-film contract with Modern Theatres, following ''[[Manthiri Kumari]]'' (1950) and ''[[Sarvadhikari (film)|Sarvadhikari]]'' (1951).<ref name="sangam" /> He was paid {{INRConvert|12500|year=1956}}{{efn|The exchange rate in 1956 was 4.79 Indian rupees ({{INR}}) per 1 US dollar (US$).<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 August 2013 |title=Rupee's journey since Independence: Down by 65 times against dollar |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/rupees-journey-since-independence-down-by-65-times-against-dollar/articleshow/22025032.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130829085318/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-08-24/news/41444029_1_indian-rupee-american-currency-continued-dollar-demand |archive-date=29 August 2013 |access-date=3 August 2017 |work=[[The Economic Times]]}}</ref>}} for acting in the film.{{sfn|Kannan|2017|p=69}} The screenplay was written in a way that would suit his then "[[Swashbuckler|swashbucking]]" image,{{Sfn|Pillai|2015|p=88}} as opposed to the original story where the character was a "gullible simpleton".{{Sfn|Gokulsing|Dissanayake|2013|p=135}}

[[Padmini (actress)|Padmini]] was initially cast as [[Morgiana (character)|Marziana]], but she was eventually replaced by [[P. Bhanumathi]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Guy |first=Randor |author-link=Randor Guy |date=September 2007 |title=From Silents to Sivaji! A look into the past&nbsp;– Part II |magazine=Galatta Cinema |pages=61}}</ref> Bhanumathi liked the film, one of her earliest in Tamil, because she found her character a "go-getter".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gangadhar |first=V. |date=8 January 2006 |title=No stereotyping her |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-sundaymagazine/no-stereotyping-her/article3219288.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160907100700/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-sundaymagazine/no-stereotyping-her/article3219288.ece |archive-date=7 September 2016 |access-date=7 September 2016 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> In her autobiography, Bhanumathi noted that after she heard the story, she considered her role to be much better than that in ''[[Missamma]]'' (1955), from which she was fired after filming only four reels, adding that after she accepted to work on this film, she got more acting offers from Tamil film producers.{{Sfn|Bhanumathi|2000|p=201}}

Ramachandran's elder brother [[M. G. Chakrapani]] was cast in the role of Alibaba's elder brother [[List of One Thousand and One Nights characters#Cassim|Amir Kasim Khan]].<ref name="songbook" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Guy |first=Randor |date=16 February 2012 |title=Fame eluded this sibling of an icon |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/article2899646.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160909083432/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/article2899646.ece |archive-date=9 September 2016 |access-date=9 September 2012 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> [[J. Jayalalithaa|Jayalalithaa]]'s aunt Ambujavalli appeared as Kassim's wife Salima, using the screen name Vidhyavathi.<ref name="songbook" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Narasimhan |first=T. A. |date=9 February 2017 |title=என்னருமை தோழி..! 29&nbsp;– திருமணப் பேச்சு! |trans-title=My beloved friend..! Part 29&nbsp;– Wedding talk! |url=https://www.hindutamil.in/news/blogs/219753-29.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206091546/https://www.hindutamil.in/news/blogs/219753-29.html |archive-date=6 December 2021 |access-date=6 December 2021 |work=[[Hindu Tamil Thisai]] |language=ta}}</ref> [[Waheeda Rehman]], who later became a leading actress in Hindi cinema, appeared as a dancer in the number "Salaam Babu",<ref name="waheeda" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=27 October 2017 |title=வேட்டையாடு விளையாடு 06: முதல் 'கேவா' கலர் திரைப்படம்! |trans-title=Hunt and Play 06: The first Gevacolor feature film! |url=https://www.hindutamil.in/news/supplements/hindu-talkies/109291-06.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206091542/https://www.hindutamil.in/news/supplements/hindu-talkies/109291-06.html |archive-date=6 December 2021 |access-date=6 December 2021 |work=[[Hindu Tamil Thisai]] |language=ta}}</ref> while the dancer duo [[Sayee–Subbulakshmi]] appeared in the song "Naama Aaduvadhum".<ref name="songbook" /><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9Isc3fTGR8 |title=Naama Aaduvathum |date=2 March 2013 |last=Rajshri Tamil |access-date=10 June 2017 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/W9Isc3fTGR8 |archive-date=21 December 2021 |url-status=live |via=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

=== Filming ===
''Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum'' was shot entirely on indoor sets, with the exception of a few horse riding sequences. For changes of scenes, [[Iris shot|irises]] and [[Wipe (transition)|wipes]] were used which, according to ''Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema'' by Ashish Rajadhyaksha and Paul Willemen, added a "sense of [[anachronism]]" to the film.{{sfnm|1a1=Baskaran|1y=1996|1p=119|2a1=Rajadhyaksha|2a2=Willemen|2y=1998|2p=340}} It was also the first full-length Tamil colour film,{{sfnm|1a1=Baskaran|1y=1996|1p=223|2a1=Guy|2y=1997|2p=199}} shot in [[Gevacolor]].<ref name="sangam" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sri Kantha |first=Sachi |date=11 August 2013 |title=MGR Remembered&nbsp;– Part 10 {{!}} Budding hero between 1947 and 1949 |url=http://sangam.org/mgr-remembered-part-10/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160908072912/http://sangam.org/mgr-remembered-part-10/ |archive-date=8 September 2016 |access-date=8 September 2016 |website=[[Ilankai Tamil Sangam]]}}</ref> Rajadhyaksha and Willemen claim it to be the first South Indian film in Gevacolor,{{sfn|Rajadhyaksha|Willemen|1998|p=340}} despite the fact that the 1955 Tamil film ''[[Kanavane Kankanda Deivam]]'' had a few sequences in Gevacolor.{{sfn|Baskaran|1996|p=223}} The scenes involving horses, which belonged to the Mysore Reserve Police, were shot at [[Mysore]] over ten days.<ref name="DinamalarAlibaba" /> The thieves' cave, designed by Dominic,<ref name="MGR film" /> was created at two locations&nbsp;– the exterior cave scenes with the horses were shot at Mysore, while the interior scenes were shot at [[Yercaud]] near [[Salem, Tamil Nadu|Salem]].<ref name="DinamalarAlibaba" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Raghavan |first=Nikhil |date=24 May 2014 |title=Coimbatore's celluloid connection |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/coimbatores-celluloid-connection/article6044541.ece |url-status=live |access-date=8 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160908154919/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/coimbatores-celluloid-connection/article6044541.ece |archive-date=8 September 2016}}</ref> Sundaram brought twenty horses from Mysore for the shoot at Yercaud.<ref name="DinamalarAlibaba" /> The jewels and gold coins featured in the film were actually clay painted in gold.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Karthikeyan |first=Aparna |date=7 January 2013 |title=I am... |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/i-am/article4281091.ece |url-status=dead |access-date=6 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221104423/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/i-am/article4281091.ece |archive-date=21 December 2016}}</ref> One of the horses rode by Ramachandran was Sundaram's own.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 May 2016 |title=எம்ஜிஆர் 100 {{!}} 66: கேட்காதவர்களுக்கும் உதவியவர்! |language=ta |trans-title=MGR 100 {{!}} part 66: He, who helped even those who didn't ask! |work=[[Hindu Tamil Thisai]] |url=https://www.hindutamil.in/news/blogs/82424-100-66.html |url-status=live |access-date=6 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206091554/https://www.hindutamil.in/news/blogs/82424-100-66.html |archive-date=6 December 2021}}</ref>

In one particular scene, Ramachandran objected to the dialogue where he had to swear in the name of [[Allah]], as he was then associated with the rationalist [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]. He suggested that the dialogue be changed to swearing in the name of his mother, but was finally asked by the director to use the original dialogue.<ref name="MGR film" />{{Sfn|Kannan|2017|p=77}} For the scene where Bulbul ([[M. N. Rajam]]) and Dowlath ([[K. Sarangapani]]) roll the barrels containing the hiding dacoits one by one into the waterfall, Sundaram finalised [[Hogenakkal Falls]] as the shooting spot. Shooting also took place on an identical set designed by Dominique. The scenes taken on set were combined with the outdoor scenes seamlessly.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 May 2013 |title=முதலாளி! (10) |trans-title=Boss! (10) |url=https://www.dinamalar.com/malarkal/vara-malar-weekly-magazine/boss-10/15259 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206121302/https://www.dinamalar.com/supplementary_detail.asp?id=15259&cat=2 |archive-date=6 December 2021 |access-date=6 December 2021 |website=[[Dinamalar]] |language=ta}}</ref> When only a song and a fight sequence were left to be finished, Ramachandran could not appear for the shoot, since he had to shoot for ''[[Madurai Veeran (1956 film)|Madurai Veeran]]'' (1956).<ref name="dtnext" /> As Sundaram was unwilling to wait for Ramachandran's return, those portions were eventually shot with Karadimuthu, who acted as a [[Double (filmmaking)|body double]] for Ramachandran.<ref name="MGR film" /><ref name="BhanumathiDuet" /> ''Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum'' was processed at the Film Centre, Bombay (now [[Mumbai]]).<ref name="Alibaba credits" /> The final length of the film was {{Convert|16789|feet|metres}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum |url=http://i1303.photobucket.com/albums/ag149/kailash29792/alibaba%201956%20certificate_zpskzpen1mw.jpg |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160908092244/http://s1303.photobucket.com/user/kailash29792/media/alibaba%201956%20certificate_zpskzpen1mw.jpg.html |archive-date=8 September 2016 |access-date=8 September 2016 |publisher=[[Central Board of Film Certification]]}}</ref>

== Themes and influences ==
''Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum'' is based on the story of Ali Baba from ''One Thousand and One Nights''.{{sfnm|1a1=Guy|1y=1997|1p=204|2a1=Rajadhyaksha|2a2=Willemen|2y=1998|2p=339}} Although the tale and costumes are middle eastern, Marziana, a [[Muslims|Muslim]], often refers to [[Yama]], the [[Hindus|Hindu]] god of death.{{Sfn|Rajadhyaksha|Willemen|1998|pp= 339–340}} Historian [[Sachi Sri Kantha]] noted that various Ramachandran films reflect the 1950s trend of films being "costume dramas" that focus on princes and folk heroes, citing ''Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum'' as an example.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sri Kantha |first=Sachi |date=30 September 2014 |title=MGR Remembered&nbsp;– Part 21 {{!}} Generativity in DMK Party of 1950s |url=http://sangam.org/mgr-remembered-part-21/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914123951/http://sangam.org/mgr-remembered-part-21/ |archive-date=14 September 2016 |access-date=14 September 2016 |website=[[Ilankai Tamil Sangam]]}}</ref>

Ramachandran was an avid fan of [[action hero]]es like [[Errol Flynn]], [[John Barrymore]], and [[Douglas Fairbanks]]. Throughout the 1950s, he acted in films that justified his status as an action hero.{{Sfn|Swaminathan|2002|p=10}} ''Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum'' portrayed him as a swashbuckling action hero who also has a [[Robin Hood]]-like agenda of serving the poor and the downtrodden with the treasure he finds in the cave.{{Sfn|Swaminathan|2002|p=10}} Udhav Naig of ''[[The Hindu]]'' noted that through ''Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum'' and several other films, Ramachandran "posited a cleverly-crafted image of being one among the working classes and poorer sections, raising a fist against injustice."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Naig |first=Udhav |date=7 January 2018 |title=Stars in politics: No jump cuts in T.N. |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/stars-in-politics-no-jump-cuts-in-tn/article22389006.ece |url-status=live |access-date=18 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118145049/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/stars-in-politics-no-jump-cuts-in-tn/article22389006.ece |archive-date=18 January 2018}}</ref>

Rajadhyaksha and Willemen, in ''Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema'', compare it to Ramachandran's other films like ''[[Malaikkallan]]'' (1954) and ''[[Madurai Veeran (1956 film)|Madurai Veeran]]'' (1956) as they are also Robin Hood-inspired, and because Bhanumathi plays a [[damsel in distress]] in them.{{sfn|Rajadhyaksha|Willemen|1998|p=60}} The French website ''Jol-Press'' compared it to ''Manthiri Kumari'' because both films feature Ramachandran as a Flynn-inspired hero.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Overdorf |first=Jason |date=22 July 2012 |title=Les dieux du cinéma tamoul |trans-title=The gods of Tamil cinema |url=http://www.jolpress.com/article/les-dieux-du-cinema-tamoul-inde-rajinikanth-bollywood-super-heros-797191.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914080050/http://www.jolpress.com/article/les-dieux-du-cinema-tamoul-inde-rajinikanth-bollywood-super-heros-797191.html |archive-date=14 September 2016 |access-date=14 September 2016 |website=Jol-Press |language=French}}</ref>

== Music ==
The film's original soundtrack and score were composed by [[Susarla Dakshinamurthi]],{{Sfn|Baskaran|1996|p=118}} while the lyrics were written by [[A. Maruthakasi]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum (1956) |url=http://www.raaga.com/channels/tamil/movie/T0001423.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141121091631/http://play.raaga.com/tamil/album/alibabavum-40-thirudargalum-T0001423 |archive-date=21 November 2014 |access-date=18 March 2013 |website=[[Raaga.com]]}}</ref><ref name="CETT" /> T. R. Sundaram decided to use the same tunes set from ''Alibaba Aur 40 Chor''. [[Udumalai Narayana Kavi]] was offered to write the lyrics. He declined, saying that he would only write lyrics for fresh tunes and recommended Maruthakasi.<ref>{{Cite news |date=31 July 2017 |title=மாடர்ன் தியேட்டர்ஸ்&nbsp;– மருதகாசி மோதல்: உண்மையை கண்டுபிடித்த டி.ஆர்.சுந்தரம் |language=Tamil |trans-title=Modern Theatres&nbsp;– Maruthakasi's clash: T. R. Sundaram, who discovered the truth |work=[[Maalai Malar]] |url=http://www.maalaimalar.com/Cinema/CineHistory/2017/07/31220611/1099695/cinima-history.vpf |url-status=dead |access-date=4 August 2017 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170804140805/http://www.maalaimalar.com/Cinema/CineHistory/2017/07/31220611/1099695/cinima-history.vpf |archive-date=4 August 2017}}</ref> The song "Azhagaana Ponnu Naan" is based on "Dekho Ji Shanti Nikla", "Masila Unmai Kathale" is based on "Ae Saba Unse Kah Jara",<!-- the source reads ஜிந்தகி தும் நஹி தோ ஜிந்தகி நஹி (Zindagi tum nahi to zindagi nahi), but that's a lyric in the song, not the actual title--> "Chinnanjiru Chitte" is based on "Chalo Chalo Chale Hum Babul Ke Tale", and "En Aattamellaam" is based on "Sharmake Lajake"; all from ''Alibaba Aur 40 Chor''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 September 2016 |title=பொன்னு விளையிற பூமியில் பொற்காலப் பாடல்கள் தந்த மருதகாசி! |language=Tamil |trans-title=Maruthakasi, the one who gave golden songs like the soil that grows gold! |work=[[Dinamalar]] |location=Nellai |url=http://www.dinamalarnellai.com/web/news/15759 |url-status=usurped |access-date=24 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170724143935/http://www.dinamalarnellai.com/web/news/15759 |archive-date=24 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sriram |first=V. |author-link=V. Sriram |date=17 January 2019 |title=MGR's Ali Baba |url=https://sriramv.wordpress.com/2019/01/17/mgrs-ali-baba/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608165020/https://sriramv.wordpress.com/2019/01/17/mgrs-ali-baba/ |archive-date=8 June 2019 |access-date=8 June 2019 |website=Madras Heritage and Carnatic Music}}</ref> The [[dilruba]] in the songs were played by Shanmugham.<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 January 2014 |title=இசையின் மொழி தில்ரூபா சரோஜா |language=ta |trans-title=Dilruba Saroja, the language of music |work=[[Hindu Tamil Thisai]] |url=https://www.hindutamil.in/news//vellore/209272-.html |url-status=live |access-date=6 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206091554/https://www.hindutamil.in/news//vellore/209272-.html |archive-date=6 December 2021}}</ref> "Azhagaana Ponnu Naan" is set in the [[Mayamalavagowla]] [[raga]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mani |first=Charulatha |author-link=Charulatha Mani |date=11 November 2011 |title=A Raga's Journey&nbsp;– The magic of Mayamalavagowla |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/a-ragas-journey-the-magic-of-mayamalavagowla/article2618199.ece |url-status=live |access-date=21 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141121083524/http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/a-ragas-journey-the-magic-of-mayamalavagowla/article2618199.ece |archive-date=21 November 2014}}</ref>{{Sfn|Sundararaman|2007|p=125}} The opening line of "Azhagaana Ponnu Naan" was later used in a song titled "Azhagana Ponnu Thaan" from ''[[Nenjirukkum Varai (2006 film)|Nenjirukkum Varai]]'' (2006).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Srinivas |first=Saraswathy |date=6 December 2006 |title=Nenjirukkum varai: Mixed bag |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/nv/20061206.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914050842/http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/nv/20061206.htm |archive-date=14 September 2016 |access-date=14 September 2016 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> "Ullasa Ulagam" was later remixed by [[Pravin Mani]] and [[Vidyasagar (composer)|Vidyasagar]] in ''[[Jayamkondaan]]'' (2008).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Srinivasan |first=Pavithra |date=12 June 2008 |title=Jeyam Kondaan's music is unoriginal |url=http://www.rediff.co.in/movies/2008/jun/12ssjk.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141121081917/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/jun/12ssjk.htm |archive-date=21 November 2014 |access-date=18 March 2013 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> "Chinnanchiru Chitte" was remixed in ''[[Muruga (film)|Muruga]]'' (2007).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Srinivas |first=Saraswathy |date=21 December 2006 |title=''Muruga'' offers routine stuff |url=http://inhome.rediff.com/movies/2006/dec/21muruga.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315134857/http://inhome.rediff.com/movies/2006/dec/21muruga.htm |archive-date=15 March 2015 |access-date=15 March 2015 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> Elements from the song were also used in "Andangkaka" from ''[[Anniyan]]'' (2005).<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 September 2016 |title=Dibbaradindi |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/dibbaradindi/article9145208.ece |url-status=dead |access-date=28 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160928135748/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/dibbaradindi/article9145208.ece |archive-date=28 September 2016}}</ref> The songs received positive reviews with "Azhagaana Ponnu Naan", "Masila Unmai Kathale", and "Ullaasa Ulagam" becoming popular among the masses.<ref name="CETT" />

{{Track listing
| headline = Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = Masila Unmai Kathale
| extra1 = [[A. M. Rajah]], [[P. Bhanumathi]]
| length1 = 3:04
| title2 = Chinnanjiru Chitte
| extra2 = [[S. C. Krishnan]], [[Jikki]]
| length2 = 2:53
| title3 = Azhagaana Ponnu Naan
| extra3 = P. Bhanumathi
| length3 = 3:04
| title4 = Naama Aaduvathum
| extra4 = Swarna Latha, [[K. Jamuna Rani]]
| length4 = 3:34
| title5 = Unnaivida Maattaen
| extra5 = P. Bhanumathi
| length5 = 2:40
| title6 = Ullaasa Ulagam
| extra6 = [[Ghantasala (musician)|Ghantasala]]
| length6 = 2:47
| title7 = Salaam Baabu
| extra7 = Jikki
| length7 = 4:19
| title8 = Anbinaale Aalavandha
| extra8 = P. Bhanumathi
| length8 = 3:25
| title9 = En Aattamellaam
| extra9 = P. Bhanumathi
| length9 = 3:56
}}

== Release and reception ==
''Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum'' was released on 14 January 1956,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sri Kantha |first=Sachi |author-link=Sachi Sri Kantha |date=3 November 2014 |title=MGR Remembered&nbsp;– Part 22 {{!}} Sibling Rivalry and Siblicide in DMK of 1950s |url=http://sangam.org/mgr-remembered-part-22/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911070936/http://sangam.org/mgr-remembered-part-22/ |archive-date=11 September 2016 |access-date=11 September 2016 |website=[[Ilankai Tamil Sangam]]}}</ref> during the festive occasion of [[Pongal (festival)|Pongal]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bali |first=Karan |date=14 January 2016 |title=Films that are 50: Come, fall in love again with 'Anbe Vaa' |url=http://thereel.scroll.in/801827/films-that-are-50-come-fall-in-love-again-with-anbe-vaa |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316155833/http://thereel.scroll.in/801827/films-that-are-50-come-fall-in-love-again-with-anbe-vaa |archive-date=16 March 2016 |access-date=20 March 2016 |website=[[Scroll.in]]}}</ref> delayed from a 12 January release.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=8 January 1956 |title=அலிபாபாவும் 40 திருடர்களும் |url=https://archive.org/details/kalki1956-01-08/page/n3/mode/2up |access-date=16 September 2024 |magazine=[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]] |page=2 |language=ta |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref> Historian [[V. Sriram]] believes it was the first Tamil film to take advantage of block colour advertising.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sriram |first=V. |author-link=V. Sriram |date=5 April 2011 |title=Advertising in Madras |url=https://sriramv.wordpress.com/2011/04/05/advertising-in-madras/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20181215032849/https://sriramv.wordpress.com/2011/04/05/advertising-in-madras/ |archive-date=15 December 2018 |access-date=15 December 2018 |website=Madras Heritage and Carnatic Music |quote=The film industry appears to have been a major source of ad revenue for press given that block colour advertising was heralded in with films such as "''Ali Babavum 40 Tirudargalum''" being the first to take advantage of this innovation.}}</ref> The film was a commercial success and ran for over 100 days in theatres.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Moorthi |first=S. L. V. |date=14 November 2017 |title=ஆன்லைன் ராஜா 01: உலக நாயகன் |trans-title=Online King 1: Universal Hero |url=https://www.hindutamil.in/news/business/120953-01.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206091519/https://www.hindutamil.in/news/business/120953-01.html |archive-date=6 December 2021 |access-date=6 December 2021 |work=[[Hindu Tamil Thisai]] |language=ta}}</ref> Tamil film historian [[S. Theodore Baskaran]] wrote in his 1996 book ''The Eye of the Serpent'', "The film's cast of M.G. Ramachandran as the swash-buckling Alibaba, Bhanumathi as the singing-heroine ... and Thangavelu as the comedian was the main factor contributing to its huge success." He said another factor attributed to the film's success that it was the first full-length South Indian colour film.{{sfn|Baskaran|1996|p=119}} Sachi Sri Kantha felt that the Gevacolor looked somewhat "washed out" and "inferior" to other colouring processes like [[Eastmancolor]] and versions of [[Fujifilm|Fujicolor]]. He said the film succeeded with the Tamil masses because "it was a first time experience they could enjoy the [colour] in totality. This is because illiterate Tamil masses would have watched Hollywood movies produced in [colour] for entertainment. But, being illiterate, [the] majority wouldn't have comprehended the dialogues and songs in English."<ref name="sangam" /> It won the Film Fans' Association Award for Best Tamil Film.<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 April 1957 |title=Awards for Best Films and Stars of 1956 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19570413&printsec=frontpage&hl=en |access-date=2 January 2019 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |pages=8 |via=[[Google News Archive]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=1 March 1999 |title=அன்றிலிருந்து இன்றுவரை சினிமா |url=http://www.vlambaram.com/archives/March%2001,%2099.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317222502/http://vlambaram.com/archives/March%2001,%2099.pdf |archive-date=17 March 2016 |access-date=6 December 2021 |work=Vlambaram |language=ta}}</ref> The film was later dubbed in [[Telugu language|Telugu]] as ''Ali Baba 40 Dongalu''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 September 2009 |title=Old favourites come handy for new shows |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/old-favourites-come-handy-for-new-shows/article24058.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160907095739/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/old-favourites-come-handy-for-new-shows/article24058.ece |archive-date=7 September 2016 |access-date=7 September 2016 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1956 – அலிபாபாவும் 40 திருடர்களும் – மாடர்ன் தியேட்டர்ஸ் (அலிபாபா 40 தெலுங்கலு – (தெ-டப்). |trans-title=1956 – Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum – Modern Theatres (Alibaba 40 Dongalu – (te-dub). |url=http://lakshmansruthi.com/cineprofiles/1956-cinedetails2.asp |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170513124650/http://lakshmansruthi.com/cineprofiles/1956-cinedetails2.asp |archive-date=13 May 2017 |access-date=13 May 2017 |website=[[Lakshman Sruthi]] |language=Tamil}}</ref> ''Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum'' had a [[Limited theatrical release|limited re-release]] on 14 April 2011, during the festive occasion of ''[[Puthandu]]'' (Tamil New Year) in Chennai.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rangan |first=Baradwaj |author-link=Baradwaj Rangan |date=29 April 2011 |title=Lights, Camera, Conversation...&nbsp;– A dinosaur roams again |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/lights-camera-conversation-a-dinosaur-roams-again/article1936998.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160908131911/http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/lights-camera-conversation-a-dinosaur-roams-again/article1936998.ece |archive-date=8 September 2016 |access-date=8 September 2016 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> The film was released on home video by [[Moser Baer]] in June 2010,<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 June 2010 |title=Platinum Series&nbsp;– Alibaba 40 Thirudargalum |url=https://www.amazon.in/Platinum-Alibaba-40-Thirudargalum-M-G-R/dp/B0062UAW50 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160907090817/http://www.amazon.in/Platinum-Alibaba-40-Thirudargalum-M-G-R/dp/B0062UAW50 |archive-date=7 September 2016 |access-date=7 September 2016 |website=[[Amazon (company)|Amazon]]}}</ref> and by [[Raj Television Network|Raj Video Vision]] in April 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 April 2012 |title=Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum |url=http://rajvideovision.net/product_info.php?products_id=16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021142107/http://rajvideovision.net/product_info.php?products_id=16 |archive-date=21 October 2013 |access-date=18 March 2013 |website=[[Raj Television Network|Raj Video Vision]]}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
''Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum'' became a "landmark" in Ramachandran's acting career,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jeshi |first=K. |date=2 September 2011 |title=Following a star |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/metroplus/article2418144.ece |url-status=live |access-date=26 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141121095822/http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/article2418144.ece |archive-date=21 November 2014}}</ref> and set a "precedent for many [[buccaneer]]-style characters" he would portray in his later films.<ref name="HindustanTimes" /> In ''Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema'', Rajadhyaksha and Willemen said the film was one of Ramachandran's "most characteristic 50s genre films".{{sfn|Rajadhyaksha|Willemen|1998|pp=339–340}}

== In popular culture ==
''Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum'' has been referenced in many films. [[Janagaraj]]'s character Sethupathi in ''[[Rajadhi Raja (1989 film)|Rajadhi Raja]]'' (1989) sings a portion of "Ullasa Ulagam", before meeting with a fate similar to that of Ghulam in ''Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum''.<ref>{{Cite AV media |title=Rajadhi Raja |type=motion picture |language=ta |publisher=Pavalar Creations |year=1989 |place=India |time=1:10:24}}</ref> [[Goundamani]] and [[Sathyaraj]]'s characters imitate the song "Maasila Unmai Kadhale" in ''[[Rickshaw Mama]]'' (1992).<ref>{{Cite AV media |title=Rickshaw Mama |type=motion picture |language=ta |publisher=Shri Mishri Productions |year=1992 |place=India |time=22:43}}</ref> Vellaisamy ([[Vadivelu]]) and Pazhanisamy ([[Vivek (actor)|Vivek]]) sing the beginning portion of "Ullasa Ulagam" in ''[[Pongalo Pongal]]'' (1997).<ref>{{Cite AV media |title=Pongalo Pongal |type=motion picture |language=ta |publisher=Thiruvalluvar Kalaikoodam |year=1997 |place=India |time=1:44:30}}</ref> In ''[[Baba (2002 film)|Baba]]'' (2002), the title character ([[Rajinikanth]]) and his friends see the clip where Alibaba closes the cave using the phrase "close sesame" after entering it using the words "[[Open Sesame (phrase)|open sesame]]".<ref>{{Cite AV media |title=Baba |type=motion picture |language=ta |publisher=[[Lotus Five Star|Lotus Group]] |year=2002 |place=India |time=16:55}}</ref> Actor [[Narayan Lucky]] has stated that his 2015 film ''[[Thiranthidu Seese]]'' was named after the dialogue of the same name spoken by Ramachandran in ''Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 May 2015 |title=Narayan Balances Comedy and Thrill |work=[[The New Indian Express]] |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/Narayan-Balances-Comedy-and-Thrill/2015/05/19/article2821236.ece? |url-status=dead |access-date=14 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914090623/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/Narayan-Balances-Comedy-and-Thrill/2015/05/19/article2821236.ece |archive-date=14 September 2016}}</ref> In ''[[Thoppi]]'' (2015), the [[Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department|Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments]] orders police inspector Kuzhanthaisamy to find a stolen film reel box; the film is ''Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Suganth |first=M. |date=7 March 2015 |title=Thoppi Movie Review |work=[[The Times of India]] |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/Thoppi/movie-review/46487253.cms |url-status=live |access-date=7 September 2016 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20160907090016/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/Thoppi/movie-review/46487253.cms |archive-date=7 September 2016}}</ref>

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
<references>
<ref name="songbook">{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/download/Alibabavum40Thirudargalum1956Songbook/Alibabavum%2040%20Thirudargalum.pdf |title=அலிபாபாவும் 40 திருடர்களும் |publisher=[[Modern Theatres]] |year=c. 1956 |language=Tamil |trans-title=Alibaba and the Forty Thieves |type=[[song book]] |access-date=26 September 2022}}</ref>
<ref name="waheeda">{{Cite web |last=Bali |first=Karan |date=2 January 2015 |title=Tamil Nadu's trailblazing Modern Theatres studio spun romances, period dramas and colour films |url=http://scroll.in/article/694534/tamil-nadus-trailblazing-modern-theatres-studio-spun-romances-period-dramas-and-colour-films |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160906153559/http://scroll.in/article/694534/tamil-nadus-trailblazing-modern-theatres-studio-spun-romances-period-dramas-and-colour-films |archive-date=6 September 2016 |access-date=6 September 2016 |website=[[Scroll.in]]}}</ref>
<ref name="Alibaba credits">{{Cite AV media |title=Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum |last=Sundaram |first=T. R. |type=motion picture |language=ta |publisher=[[Modern Theatres]] |year=1956 |author-link=T. R. Sundaram |place=India |time=1:03}}</ref>
<ref name="sangam">{{Cite web |last=Sri Kantha |first=Sachi |author-link=Sachi Sri Kantha |date=28 September 2013 |title=MGR Remembered&nbsp;– Part 11 |url=http://sangam.org/mgr-remembered-part-11/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160907031512/http://sangam.org/mgr-remembered-part-11/ |archive-date=7 September 2016 |access-date=6 September 2016 |website=[[Ilankai Tamil Sangam]]}}</ref>
<ref name="DinamalarAlibaba">{{Cite news |last=வேங்கடசாமி |first=ரா. |date=5 May 2013 |title=முதலாளி! (10) |language=Tamil |trans-title=Boss! (10) |work=[[Dinamalar]] |url=https://www.dinamalar.com/malarkal/vara-malar-weekly-magazine/boss-10/15259 |url-status=live |access-date=12 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512102233/http://www.dinamalar.com/supplementary_detail.asp?id=15259 |archive-date=12 May 2017}}</ref>
<ref name="MGR film">{{Cite news |last=Nelba |date=21 March 2014 |title=எம்.ஜி.ஆர். இல்லாமல் நடந்த எம்.ஜி.ஆர் படப்பிடிப்பு! |language=Tamil |trans-title=An MGR film that was filmed without MGR! |work=[[Hindu Tamil Thisai]] |url=https://www.hindutamil.in/news/supplements/hindu-talkies/219417-.html |url-status=live |access-date=6 January 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210106091957/https://www.hindutamil.in/news/supplements/hindu-talkies/219417--1.html |archive-date=6 January 2021}}</ref>
<ref name="BhanumathiDuet">{{Cite news |date=12 August 2017 |title=பிளாஷ்பேக்: காதல் டூயட்டில் பானுமதியுடன் ஆடிய எம்.ஜி.ஆரின் டூப் |language=ta |trans-title=MGR's double, who acted with Bhanumathi in a romantic duet |work=[[Dinamalar]] |url=https://cinema.dinamalar.com/tamil-news/61843/cinema/Kollywood/Alibabavum-40-thirudargalum-:-Shooting-without-MGR.htm |url-status=live |access-date=23 August 2017 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170823135931/http://cinema.dinamalar.com/tamil-news/61843/cinema/Kollywood/Alibabavum-40-thirudargalum-:-Shooting-without-MGR.htm |archive-date=23 August 2017}}</ref>
<ref name="CETT">{{Cite news |last=Chellappa |date=1 September 2012 |title=திருப்புமுனை திரைப்படங்கள்&nbsp;– 29&nbsp;– அலிபாபாவும் நாற்பது திருடர்களும் (1956) |language=Tamil |trans-title=Path-breaking films&nbsp;– 29&nbsp;– Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum (1956) |work=[[Cinema Express]] |url=http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2m4w0g7&s=6#.V9EJn5N97-a |url-status=dead |access-date=8 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160908064941/http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2m4w0g7&s=6#.V9EKI5N97-Y |archive-date=8 September 2016}}</ref>
<ref name="HindustanTimes">{{Cite news |last=Mishra |first=Nivedita |date=17 January 2017 |title=MGR's centenary: The man who dominated Tamil films for 3 decades |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/mgr-s-centenary-the-man-who-dominated-tamil-films-for-3-decades/story-3aN5zgVfkI6nWqX8csbD7J.html |url-status=live |access-date=17 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170117143057/http://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/mgr-s-centenary-the-man-who-dominated-tamil-films-for-3-decades/story-3aN5zgVfkI6nWqX8csbD7J.html |archive-date=17 January 2017}}</ref>
</references>

== Bibliography ==
{{Refbegin|30em}}
* {{Cite book |last=Baskaran |first=S. Theodore |title=The eye of the serpent: an introduction to Tamil cinema |publisher=East West Books |year=1996 |oclc=243920437 |author-link=S. Theodore Baskaran}}
* {{Cite book |last=Bhanumathi |title=Musings |publisher=P.B.R. Publications |year=2000 |oclc=605305925 |author-link=P. Bhanumathi |orig-date=1993}}
* {{Cite book |last=Dumont |first=Hervé |title=Contes et légendes d'Orient: au cinéma et à la télévision |publisher=Books on Demand |year=2017 |isbn=978-2-3221-0135-1 |language=French |trans-title=Tales and legends of the East: in cinema and on television}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Gokulsing |first1=K. Moti |title=Routledge Handbook of Indian Cinemas |last2=Dissanayake |first2=Wimal |publisher=[[Routledge]] |year=2013 |isbn=978-0-415-67774-5}}
* {{Cite book |last=Guy |first=Randor |title=Starlight, Starbright: The Early Tamil Cinema |publisher=Amra Publishers |year=1997 |oclc=1129588233}}
* {{Cite book |last=Kannan |first=R. |title=MGR: A Life |publisher=[[Penguin Random House]] |year=2017 |isbn=978-0-14-342934-0 |location=India}}
* {{Cite book |last=Pillai |first=Swarnavel Eswaran |title=Madras Studios: Narrative, Genre, and Ideology in Tamil Cinema |publisher=[[SAGE Publishing|SAGE Publications]] |year=2015 |isbn=978-93-5150-212-8}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Rajadhyaksha |first1=Ashish |title=Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema |last2=Willemen |first2=Paul |publisher=[[British Film Institute]] and [[Oxford University Press]] |year=1998 |isbn=0-19-563579-5 |author-link=Ashish Rajadhyaksha |author-link2=Paul Willemen |orig-date=1994}}<!-- https://indiancine.ma/texts/indiancine.ma%3AEncyclopedia_of_Indian_Cinema/text.pdf -->
* {{Cite book |last=Swaminathan |first=Roopa |title=M.G. Ramachandran: Jewel of the Masses |publisher=Rupa Publications |year=2002 |isbn=81-7167-897-1}}
* {{Cite book |last=Sundararaman |title=Raga Chintamani: A Guide to Carnatic Ragas Through Tamil Film Music |publisher=Pichhamal Chintamani |year=2007 |edition=2nd |location=Chennai |oclc=295034757 |orig-date=2005}}
{{Refend}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title}}

{{Ali Baba}}
{{Modern Theatres}}
{{T. R. Sundaram}}

[[Category:1956 fantasy films]]
[[Category:1956 films]]
[[Category:1956 Indian films]]
[[Category:1956 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:Films based on Ali Baba]]
[[Category:Films directed by T. R. Sundaram]]
[[Category:Films scored by Susarla Dakshinamurthi]]
[[Category:Indian fantasy films]]
[[Category:Indian swashbuckler films]]
[[Category:Tamil remakes of Hindi films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language fantasy films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]