ALGIERS (1938)

[The Burgomaster]

This is an excellent movie that is included in the MYSTERY CLASSICS 50 MOVIE PACK.

Charles Boyer stars as suave, cigarette smoking French jewel thief Pepe le Moko (the Warner Brothers cartoon character Pepe le Pew was based on Pepe le Moko), who is hiding among the thieves and prostitutes in the Casbah section of Algiers.  Throughout the movie, he plays a game of cat-and-mouse with the police while he tries to win the love of Gaby (Hedy Lamarr), a beautiful tourist who just happens to own quite a collection of diamonds and pearls.

This movie has a strong supporting cast, including Gene Lockhart (who is excellent as a snivelling traitor), and Alan Hale, Sr. (the Skipper's dad!).

I highly recommend this good old fashioned B&W romantic thriller.  Keep an eye out for my favorite scene, which involves a murder beside a Player Piano.

[peter johnson]

"Come with me to The Casbah!" . . .
peter johnson/denny crane