Leonard Nimoy played a Jafar-like sorcerer in a 1986 episode of Faerie Tale Theatre, and the whole thing stars Tim Burton, James Earl Jones, and Valerie Bertinelli. The episode is called “Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp,” and it pairs the man who played Spock with the man who played Darth Vader, plus the director of Beetlejuice.
It is a real thing that happened. And it is exactly as strange as it sounds.
The Episode That Brought Them Together
Faerie Tale Theatre was a cult favorite anthology series from the 1980s. It was created and hosted by Shelley Duvall, and it was known for taking classic folklore and turning it into live-action fairy tales with a twist. The series gave legendary actors and emerging directors a chance to put their own stamp on beloved children’s stories.
The 1986 episode in question is “Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp.” Leonard Nimoy plays a Jafar-esque sorcerer who tricks Aladdin (played by Robert Carradine) into venturing down a booby-trapped cave to retrieve an ordinary-looking lamp. There are two genies in this version: a ring genie named Abdul, and the big blue Genie of the Lamp, both played by James Earl Jones.
Valerie Bertinelli plays Princess Sabrina, while veteran stage and screen actor Joseph Maher plays the childish, toy-obsessed Sultan. Burton, who had just made a splash with his 1985 directorial debut Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, directed the episode despite the tight budgetary constraints the series was known for.
Nimoy’s Performance
Nimoy’s performance is the kind that fills the screen. He dons a skull-adorned gown, a pointed beard, and a twisted mustache, and he chews the scenery with a campy menace. The episode is filled with clever shadow puppetry, forced perspective, and surreal set designs that have since become Tim Burton’s trademark.
IMDb users have given the episode a moderate 6.5 rating. But some reviewers found plenty to like. One user called the episode “a worthy and entertaining charmer.” They noted that Robert Carradine played Aladdin as a “hammy buffoon,” but they also said that it was Leonard Nimoy’s menacing and gleefully enjoyable villain and James Earl Jones’ hilarious and appealingly boisterous Genie of the Lamp who stole the show seamlessly.
Another fan praised Nimoy for “having a LOT of fun in the role and especially the costume,” adding, “All Nimoy needs to do is… stroke his beard and twist his mustache and he would make it his best non-Spock performance.” Another reviewer deemed that the combination of Burton, Jones, Nimoy, and Valerie Bertinelli made the episode one of the best in the series.
The Two Genies
The episode’s twist is its two genies. Abdul is the ring genie, and the big blue Genie of the Lamp is played by James Earl Jones. Jones carries both roles, and the contrast between the two characters is part of what makes the episode work.
IMDb users have given the episode a moderate 6.5 rating. But some reviewers found plenty to like. One user called the episode “a worthy and entertaining charmer.” They noted that Robert Carradine played Aladdin as a “hammy buffoon,” but they also said that it was Leonard Nimoy’s menacing and gleefully enjoyable villain and James Earl Jones’ hilarious and appealingly boisterous Genie of the Lamp who stole the show seamlessly.
The Budgetary Constraints
The series was known for its tight budget. Burton’s directorial debut, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, had made him a rising name in Hollywood. But working within the constraints of Faerie Tale Theatre meant making do with limited resources.
Despite that, the episode still looks distinctive. The shadow puppetry, forced perspective, and surreal set designs are all hallmarks of Burton’s style. The production values are modest, but the creativity is not.
The Reviews
The IMDb reviews offer a snapshot of how audiences responded. The 6.5 rating is moderate, but the comments suggest a more positive reception than the number might imply. The episode is described as a “worthy and entertaining charmer,” and the performances of Nimoy and Jones are singled out as the standout elements.
The review that called it Nimoy’s best non-Spock performance is a claim made by a fan. It suggests that Nimoy was able to bring the same intensity and charisma to a role outside his most famous character. The fact that a reviewer would call it that speaks to how memorable the performance was.
The Talent Roster
The episode’s strength comes from the cast. Leonard Nimoy plays the Jafar-esque sorcerer, Robert Carradine plays Aladdin, Valerie Bertinelli plays Princess Sabrina, and veteran stage and screen actor Joseph Maher plays the childish, toy-obsessed Sultan. Burton directed the episode, and James Earl Jones plays both genies.
The chemistry between the leads is the reason the episode holds together. Burton’s direction gives the story a visual identity that feels distinctly his own, even within the budget constraints of the series. The set design is surreal and theatrical, and the performances are larger-than-life in the best possible way.
The Set Design
The episode is filled with clever shadow puppetry, forced perspective, and surreal set designs that have since become Tim Burton’s trademark. These techniques are part of what makes the episode distinctive, even with its modest production values.
IMDb users have given the episode a moderate 6.5 rating. But some reviewers found plenty to like. One user called the episode “a worthy and entertaining charmer.” They noted that Robert Carradine played Aladdin as a “hammy buffoon,” but they also said that it was Leonard Nimoy’s menacing and gleefully enjoyable villain and James Earl Jones’ hilarious and appealingly boisterous Genie of the Lamp who stole the show seamlessly.
The Availability
The episode is available to watch online at the Internet Archive. For fans of Burton, Nimoy, or Jones, the episode is a treasure. It is a reminder of a time when television could be bold and strange without being expensive. The cast is star-studded, the premise is absurd, and the result is a genuine charmer.
The Legacy
Burton went on to direct Pee-wee’s Big Adventure. Nimoy continued his career as an actor and director, directing and starring in the 1986 blockbuster film Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. Jones remained a fixture of the industry, with a career that spanned decades.
The episode is a small slice of ’80s television. It features a star-studded cast, a director at the start of his career, and a fairy tale told with wit and imagination.
The Bottom Line
The episode is a reminder that great entertainment does not require a massive budget. It requires imagination, talent, and a willingness to commit fully to a performance. Nimoy, Burton, and Jones all delivered that commitment in spades.
The episode is available online, and it is worth your time. It is a small gem of ’80s television. It features a star-studded cast, a director at the start of his career, and a fairy tale told with wit and imagination.
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Episode | “Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp” |
| Show | Faerie Tale Theatre |
| Year | 1986 |
| Director | Tim Burton |
| Jafar-esque Sorcerer | Leonard Nimoy |
| Genie of the Lamp | James Earl Jones |
| Ring Genie | Abdul |
| Aladdin | Robert Carradine |
| Princess Sabrina | Valerie Bertinelli |
| Sultan | Joseph Maher |
| IMDb Rating | 6.5 |
The episode is a small gem of ’80s television. It features a star-studded cast, a director at the start of his career, and a fairy tale told with wit and imagination.
Source material: “Leonard Nimoy Was In Tim Burton's TV Version Of Aladdin With James Earl Jones As The Genie,” TVLine.
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