Because of difficulties with the Motion Picture Production Code, studio head Howard Hughes shelved the film until 1955, when it was converted to the Tushinsky SuperScope process, in 2-D (flat).

Also on trial are Greek scholar Simon Aristides, and his daughter Kristina, Sinbad's childhood friend, who has been wrongfully accused of stealing.

After the Khalif orders that Sinbad and Omar be executed, his advisor, Jiddah, persuades him to meet with Murad, the ambassador to Tamerlane, a Tartar leader whose forces are threatening to invade Baghdad.

The Khalif refuses to release Sinbad and Omar, but while they are incarcerated in the dungeon, Simon and Kristina give the ruler a private demonstration of Greek fire.

Ameer sees Murad fleeing with Kristina and Simon's chemicals and sends a message via carrier pigeon before being caught by Jiddah.

Later, while resting in the desert, Sinbad and Omar are joined by Ameer, who reveals that Murad and his men are traveling in disguise with a caravan of merchants and that the Forty Thieves will attack them at first camp.

Just then, Murad's men advance on the cave, and Sinbad quickly hypnotizes Kristina, who has fallen in love with Omar, and concocts some Greek fire using Simon's chemicals.

Joan Pastin, Marvleen Prentice, and Dawn Oney were chosen through a contest in Modern Screen arranged by Howard Hughes, while several others were selected because they were finalists in Queen of the Los Angeles Home Show of 1952.

[3] Sally Forrest was cast after Piper Laurie fell ill, while Vincent Price was on contract with RKO Studios when he was given the role of Omar Khayyam.

[5] The film, described by one critic as "a voyeur's delight",[citation needed] has St. Cyr as a principal member of a Baghdad harem populated with dozens of nubile starlets.