Pépé le Moko (1937)

A wanted gangster is both king and prisoner of the Casbah. He is protected from arrest by his friends, but is torn by his desire for freedom outside. A visiting Parisian beauty may just tempt his fate.

Director:

Julien Duvivier

Writers:

Henri La Barthe (novel) (as Ashelbé), Henri La Barthe (scenario) (as Détective Julien Ashelbé)

Stars:

Jean Gabin, Gabriel Gabrio, Saturnin Fabre

2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jean Gabin	...	Pépé le Moko
Gabriel Gabrio	...	Carlos
Saturnin Fabre	...	Le Grand Père
Fernand Charpin	...	Régis (as Charpin)
Lucas Gridoux	...	Slimane
Gilbert Gil	...	Pierrot (as Gilbert-Gil)
Marcel Dalio	...	L'Arbi (as Dalio)
Charles Granval	...	Maxime (as Granval)
Gaston Modot	...	Jimmy
René Bergeron	...	Meunier (as Bergeron)
Paul Escoffier	...	Louvain (as Escoffier)
Roger Legris	...	Max (as Legris)
Jean Témerson	...	Gravère (as Temerson)
Robert Ozanne	...	Gendron
Philippe Richard	...	Janvier

Storyline

Holed up in the labyrinthine trap of narrow cobblestoned streets and dark dead-end alleys in the bustling Casbah quarter of Algiers, the charismatic leader and elegant Parisian gangster, Pépé le Moko, is starting to reach the end of his tether. Under those pressing circumstances, and always homesick for his beloved Paris after two long years in the impenetrable district, Pépé and his loyal gang find themselves in a constant cat-and-mouse game with the local police and the sly, manipulative detective, Inspector Slimane, trying hard to be one step ahead of them. But, as if that weren't enough, a chance encounter with the dazzling coquette, Gaby, will expose the Achilles' heel of the love-smitten lord of the Casbah, who is now eager to dice with death only to be with her. Is she Pépé le Moko's last chance to leave his squalid criminal haven?

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Plot Keywords:

casbah | algiers algeria | gangster | police inspector | deception | 

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Taglines:

The World's New Triumph!

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Included among the "1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die", edited by Steven Schneider.

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Goofs

In a scene after Pierrot's death, Pepe is getting progressively drunker and his suit coat opens to reveal more of his shirt. His shirt has the monogram of "JG" on the pocket; clearly the monogram of the actor (Jean Gabin) and not the character.

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Quotes

La mère Tarte: I have a face that men just like to hit.

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Connections

Referenced in Pierrot le Fou (1965)

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Soundtracks

Où est-il donc ?
Music by Vincent Scotto
Lyrics by André Decaye and Lucien Carol
Performed by Fréhel

User Reviews

Rock the Casbah

A gang of thieves hide out above Algiers in the Arab section of the city, the Casbah, in "Pepe le Moko," a 1937 film - an homage to the U.S. gangster movie - that is often credited as the inspiration for the film noir craze that swept U.S. cinema. In order to draw attention to the American version, "Algiers," producer Walter Wanger tried to destroy all copies, subsequently buying the rights to keep it off the screen. But you can't keep a good movie down.

Pepe le Moko (Jean Gabin) is wanted by the police, so if he leaves the crowded and maze-like Casbah to go into town, they will nail him. There is an inspector who keeps an eye on Pepe, Inspector Slimane. Pepe and the inspector have become friends, but Pepe knows Slimane is just waiting for him to make his move. When Pepe meets the exotic and bejeweled Gaby, a situation presents itself where he might risk his freedom.

Pepe is the great French actor Jean Gabin, a marvelous-looking, rugged actor with tremendous magnetism. It's no wonder Marlene Dietrich chased him all over the world. Gabin's Pepe is the forerunner of the Bogart persona - he's a confident, handsome man, dismissive of women and has the ability to be both funny and cruel. He lives with his devoted girlfriend, Ines, and is surrounded by his motley mob who are familiar with the seedier side of life.

There are some brilliant moments and great performances in this film, which is rich in atmosphere and interesting faces. The French star Mireille Balin, whose real-life story is more bizarre than any fiction, is Gaby, a kept woman who enchants le Moko as they talk about their great love for Paris, most especially, Place Blanche. Line Noro is Ines, doomed to love and lose Pepe, and Frehel is Tania, a friend. In one of the best scenes in the film, Tania reminisces about her youth and sings along with her own recording. A wonderful artist. The entire cast is marvelous. The director, Julien Duvivier, orchestrates the proceedings with tremendous style and tension, capturing the heat, the light and the sounds of the Casbah.

Often imitated - by "The Third Man," "Odd Man Out," "Casablanca," "The Time Of Your Life," "To Have And Have Not," "The Wages of Fear," -- and let's not forget Pepe le Pew - "Pepe le Moko" and Jean Gabin's Pepe stand on their own as hallmarks in film history.

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French Arabic

Release Date:

3 March 1941 (USA)

Also Known As:

Pépé le Moko

Filming Locations:

Algiers, Algeria

Box Office

Budget:

$60,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$155,895

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$155,895

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paris Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (R.C.A. Photophone)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1