Algiers
About Algiers
Jewel thief Pepe le Moko rules a corner of the Casbah in Algiers and will not step outside, where the French police can take him. Inspector Slimane waits. Pepe falls for Gaby, a French tourist, and Ines, who already loves him, turns jealous. Told that Gaby is sailing, he leaves the Casbah and runs toward the ship. She does not see him. One of Slimane's men shoots him. Dying, Pepe says he has escaped after all.
Cast & crew
More about Algiers
John Cromwell directed. John Howard Lawson wrote the script from the 1937 French film Pépé le Moko and Henri La Barthe's novel. Walter Wanger produced it for United Artists. James Wong Howe photographed, matching Algiers exteriors to the Hollywood sets. It opened in the United States on August 5, 1938. It was Hedy Lamarr's Hollywood debut.
Themes
Look
James Wong Howe shot the Casbah sets and cut in backgrounds filmed in Algiers.
Music
Vincent Scotto and Mohamed Ygerbuchen wrote the music.
Preservation
Prints survive. The U.S. copyright was not renewed, and the film has been in the public domain since 1966.
Notes
- Charles Boyer plays Pepe, Hedy Lamarr plays Gaby, Sigrid Gurie plays Ines, and Joseph Calleia plays Slimane.
- Gene Lockhart and Alexander Toluboff were also Oscar nominees, Lockhart for supporting actor and Toluboff for art direction.
- The line "Come with me to the Casbah" is not in the film.
- Wikipedia notes that Boyer's Pepe was a model for the Warner cartoon character Pepé Le Pew.
- The copyright was not renewed, and the film entered the U.S. public domain in 1966.
- Vincent Scotto and Mohamed Ygerbuchen are credited with the music.
Scenes
- Pepe refuses to cross out of the Casbah while Slimane waits on the far side.
- On the dock he calls to Gaby, is shot, and tells Slimane he has escaped.
Influenced by
- Pépé le Moko (1937)
- Henri La Barthe's novel Pépé le Moko
Also available
- Internet Archive (Algiers_)
Quotes
Pepe le Moko: And so I have, my friend.
