CASBAH

US, 1948, 94 minutes, Black and white.
Tony Martin, Yvonne de Carlo, Marta Toren, Peter Lorre, Hugo Haas.
Directed by John Berry.

Casbah was the third version of the Pepe le Moko story in ten years. There was the French classic with Jean Gabin. There was the American remake with Charles Boyer and Hedy Lamarr. This version, coming soon after World War Two, updates the story a little (especially with the ending at the airport rather than at the port).

Tony Martin is Pepe le Moko - not an immediate choice for the role. He is fairly bland - and has a number of songs. Marta Toren is introduced as the femme fatale for whom he gives his life. Yvonne de Carlo is Inez. However, the film is stolen by Peter Lorre as Inspector Slimaine. There is a good supporting cast led by Thomas Gomez.

The film keeps the outline of the original story - presents it efficiently enough, with some atmosphere of the Casbah - and the Harold Arlen, Leo Robin songs. Direction is by John Berry who was later blacklisted and directed only a few films, some in France, until he began acting and directing in the '70s.

1.Enjoyable thriller? The tradition of Pepe le Moko and Algiers? The quality of the remake?

2.Black and white photography, studio sets, re-creation of the Casbah? The insertion of the songs? Their mood?

3.The police framework of the plot: Slimaine and his plan, Peter Lorre in the role, casual and insinuating, meals with Pepe le Moko? The clash with Inspector Louvaine and his attacks? Friendly with Gaby, advice to her? Manoeuvring her and Pepe? Ultimately arresting him?

4.Pepe le Moko as the king of the thieves in the Casbah: Tony Martin in this role, charm and songs, reputation, association with Slimaine, relationship with Inez, protected by people in the Casbah? The friendship with Carlo, trusting him, the ultimate betrayal? Omar and the guards and his friends? Meeting Gaby, the dance, the infatuation? His arrest and return? His wanting to meet her, Inez's clash? The decision to go to her? Carlo's betrayal? His going to the plane, being shot?

5.Gaby and her wealth, background, relationship with Claude, in Algiers, the fascination with Pepe, seeing him, the decision to stay, the discussion about going, her return, being told that he was dead? In the plane and not seeing him?

6.Inez, the fiery relationship, her place in the Casbah?

7.Omar, the guides, their descriptions of Algiers, friendship with Pepe, helping him after the arrest?

8.Carlo, the friendship, the betrayal?

9.Inspector Louvaine, blustering, the police, the raid? The threat by the men of the Casbah?

10.The Casbah as home, prison? The mood and atmosphere, the tourists? The exotic Algerian atmosphere?