Search - Algiers on DVD

GOOD QUALITY VIDEO

Mars | Centerville, OH USA | 05/30/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Fascinating oldie with many fine performances.

Charles Boyer is gorgeous and totally dominates the film. One of his many superb performances. Hedy Lamarr is also gorgeous but inert.

The quality of the video and audio was impressive."

"zee Cazz-bahhhhhhhhh..."

Annie Van Auken | Planet Earth | 07/14/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Manufacturer VINA DISTRIBUTORS is a Southern California-based outfit that specializes in Mexican cinema. They also have a catalog of public domain movies and TV shows. As with most purveyors of such unrestored material, transfer quality is dependent on source material. VINA is about average in this regard.





ALGIERS (1938)

Stars Charles Boyer and Hedy Lamarr. Cast includes Sigrid Gurie, Joseph Calleia, Alan Hale and Gene Lockhart, with just a glimpse of Joan Woodbury.



When he decided to remake the French movie "Pépé le Moko," producer William Wanger tried but failed to have all existing copies of the original destroyed. MERRIE MELODIES fans surely recall the occasional Boyer (pronounced Boy-AY) imitation from this melodrama: "Come wit' me to zee Cazz-bahhhhhh.." etc. Warner's Gallic lover skunk Pepe le Pew was an homage (however redolent) to Mr. Boyer's le Moko.



"Algiers" is glamorous Hedy's first American film. She was considered for the female lead in CASABLANCA (1942) because of her work here.





SYNOPSIS--

French jewel thief Pepe le Moko avoids prosecution back home by hiding out in the colorful native district of the Algierian capital. Even though locally famous, confinement to the Casbah doesn't suit Pepe. When stunningly beautiful Gaby arrives from France on the arm of a repulsive fat man, Pepe is instantly attracted to her. The feeling is mutual on Gaby's part. Their obsession with each other is complicated by Pepe's emotionally dependent girlfriend (Gurie) and by a savvy local gendarme (Calleia) intent on capturing the elusive Monsieur le Moko."

"zee Cazz-bahhhhhhhhh..."

Annie Van Auken | Planet Earth | 07/14/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"DVD-R mfrs. such as SYNERGY offer no commentary, deleted scenes, subtitles or other bonus features. Dubs are "best available source" and can vary from very good to only fair.





ALGIERS (1938)

Stars Charles Boyer and Hedy Lamarr. Cast includes Sigrid Gurie, Joseph Calleia, Alan Hale and Gene Lockhart, with just a glimpse of Joan Woodbury.



When he decided to remake the French movie "Pépé le Moko," producer William Wanger tried but failed to have all existing copies of the original destroyed. MERRIE MELODIES fans surely recall the occasional Boyer (pronounced Boy-AY) imitation from this melodrama: "Come wit' me to zee Cazz-bahhhhhh.." etc. Warner's Gallic lover skunk Pepe le Pew was an homage (however redolent) to Mr. Boyer's le Moko.



"Algiers" is glamorous Hedy's first American film. She was considered for the female lead of CASABLANCA (1942) because of her work here.





SYNOPSIS--

French jewel thief Pepe le Moko avoids prosecution back home by hiding out in the colorful native district of the Algierian capital. Even though locally famous, confinement to the Casbah doesn't suit Pepe. When stunningly beautiful Gaby arrives from France on the arm of a repulsive fat man, Pepe is instantly attracted to her. The feeling is mutual on Gaby's part. Their obsession with each other is complicated by Pepe's emotionally dependent girlfriend (Gurie) and by a savvy local gendarme (Calleia) intent on capturing the elusive Monsieur le Moko."