Pépé Le Moko (1936)

Pépé Le Moko
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

[box] Pépé le Moko: Blame it on the Casbah.[/box]

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 toying with the terrified Regis while all wait for the return of another character.

This was the first time I noticed how really beautiful Gaby’s diamonds were.  You can see the clips she 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.

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