As described in a film magazine review,[4] this desert story concerns Jack Ryder, an American archeologist in Egypt, and Aimee, who is believed to be a Mohammedan. Jack falls in love with Aimee at a dance in a Cairo hotel. Her father agrees to betroth her to a swindling nobleman to keep from being arrested for trading in narcotics. In the ruins of the Egyptian tombs, Jack finds proof that Aimee is a young French woman whose parents had been captured by bandits and had then fallen into the hands of an Egyptian nobleman. All ends well, however, and everyone lives happily thereafter.
Scott McKee as Commissioner of Police (credited as Scott McGee)
Eli Stanton as Ali
Reception
While the serial consisted mainly of adventures and escapes in the Egyptian desert, its plot also involved archaeological excavations. A contemporary archaeological journal, noting how producers had recently promoted historical accuracy as a feature of their films, stated that The Fortieth Door attempted to bring an overall ancient Egyptian look to scenes with the exterior of a tomb, but the interior lacked any authenticity in its furnishings or jewelry.[5] The article recommended that films employ an Egyptologist for accuracy.[5]
^Morgan, Len (May 17, 1924). "Box Office Reviews: The Fortieth Door". Exhibitors Trade Review. New York: Exhibitors Review Publishing Corporation: 29–30. Retrieved December 12, 2022. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
^ abBryan, Bruce (October 1924). "Movie Realism and Archaeological Fact". Art and Archaeology. 18 (4). Washington, D.C.: Archaeological Institute of America: 131–144. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
