The Thief of Bagdad (1940 film) in the context of Vincent Korda

Miklós Rózsa (Hungarian: [ˈmikloːʃ ˈroːʒɒ]; April 18, 1907 – July 27, 1995) was a Hungarian-American composer trained in Germany (1925–1931) and active in France (1931–1935), the United Kingdom (1935–1940), and the United States (1940–1995), with extensive sojourns in Italy from 1953 onward. Best known for his nearly one hundred film scores, he nevertheless maintained a steadfast allegiance to absolute concert music throughout what he called his "double life".

Rózsa achieved early success in Europe with his orchestral Theme, Variations, and Finale (Op. 13) of 1933, and became prominent in the film industry from such early scores as The Four Feathers (1939) and The Thief of Bagdad (1940). The latter project brought him to Hollywood when production was transferred from wartime Britain, and Rózsa remained in the United States, becoming an American citizen in 1946.

Sabu Dastagir (born Selar Sabu; 27 January 1924 – 2 December 1963) was an Indian and American actor, typically credited mononymously Sabu. He is primarily known for his work in films during the 1930s–1940s in Britain and the United States. He notably played starring roles in Elephant Boy (1937), The Drum (1938), The Thief of Bagdad (1940), and Black Narcissus (1947). Screenonline described him as "Britain's first above-the-title film star of Indian origin - indeed, for many years India's only truly international star."