Directed by Julien Duvivier
Written by Henri Le Barthe, Julien Duvivier et al based on a novel by Henri Le Barthe
1937/France
Paris Film
Repeat viewing
112 of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die
Pépé le Moko: Blame it on the Casbah.
Jean Gabin made two must-see movies in 1937. This is one of them.
The French authorities are baffled by the inability of the provincial police to capture master criminal and jewel thief Pépé Le Moko (Gabin) in Algiers. The police explain that while Pépé remains within the walls of the Casbah where he lives with his Algerian mistress, he is perfectly safe. Algerian detective Slimane prefers to wait for just the right moment to pounce but the French insist on moving right away. They hatch a play to entrap Pépé using informer Régis (the superb Fernand Charpín) but he is too smart for them. In the meantime, sensing his moment is near, Slimane introduces Pépé to the beautiful bejeweled Gaby. With Dalio in a small but choice part as an Arab informer.
Jean Gabin is on screen for 95% of this film, virtually guaranteeing that I would adore it. He’s not just there, though. He is very effective as the suave criminal whose haven in the Casbah is becoming a prison, including in a most convincing drunk scene. Director Duvivier masterfully stages the action. I love the scene where Pépé and his gang are holding and playing with the terrified Regis while they wait for the return of another character.
This was the first time I noticed how really beautiful those diamonds were. You can see the clips Gaby is wearing on her silk blouse in the photo above.
This film was remade in 1938 by Walter Wanger as Algiers with Heddy Lammar and Charles Boyer.
Photo Slideshow with song from film
It is a really nice movie. However I really liked Pepe’s girlfriend and had some difficulty seeing the allure of Gaby compared to what he got, except as a symbol of his longing to go back to Paris.
I think Gaby was mostly symbolic too.
Jean Gabin. Floppy hair. Sexy sexy sexy. I really enjoy this movie. Jean Gabin is enough reason.
Sigh …
This film makes we swoon all over the place and of course we know why……Gabin!!! Is there anyone sexier that he is?…..not that I know of..
I did not particularly like the remake since I’m no Charles Boyer fan (except in a couple of his films) but I never know why they try to re-make masterpieces anyway.
I am going to try to put an image up here of Gabin in his later years……….still so sexy.
Well, it didn’t work. I guess I don’t know how to put images on the blog.
I can do it from the administrator’s dashboard but I’m afraid I don’t know how to do it from the website. Too bad! You could post a link I suppose. Thanks for trying.
I read that the producer tried to buy up and destroy the copies of Pepe Le Moko at the time Algiers was made. How lucky we are he was unsuccessful!!!! I wonder why studios felt the need to do that in the old days?
What a beautiful still. If only life were 95% Jean Gabin!
I’d settle for even 10%!