Devon D. ([info]neverendingview) wrote in [info]classic_film,
@ 2008-07-02 19:52:00
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Current mood: curious

Pepe Le Moko (1937) v. Algiers (1938)
Hello everyone! I've been watching this community for a while, and so when I was wondering where to find people who might be able to answer a classic film related question I knew where to go.

I've been taking advantage of the summer down-time to finish up a 50 mystery movie DVD pack I bought years ago, and also to start on my quest to see the famous 1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die.

Last night I watched, from the 50 movie pack, Algiers (1938) and loved it! I saw on the imdb page that Charles Boyer was nominated for the Oscar for his performance in the film, and I couldn't have agreed more that he deserved it. The cinematography was beautiful and the writing elegant. In fact, I thought it was so good I went to see if it could be on the 1,001 list, only to discover that, even though it wasn't, a 1937 film called Pepe Le Moko was. I haven't seen it yet, but now I want to.

So, here's my question, has anyone seen both films? If so, which do you prefer? Has anyone seen one or the other and loved it or hated it?

Edit: Ooops, forgot to mention, for those that don't know, I'm comparing these two as they have the same plot and characters. In addition, it says its not based off a real person, so does anyone know if there's a book or play that came before the films? Seems a strange (albeit wonderful) story to tell twice...


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[info]siochembio
2008-07-03 05:22 am UTC (link)
I have not seen Algiers, but I am also (two and a half years) into a quest with my "1001 Movies" book, so I have seen Pepe le Moko. (btw, I'm going chronologically, and I'm 75% done with the 1970's right now) Re: Pepe: I love Jean Gabin. It's not my absolute favorite Jean Gabin film, but everything I've seen him in is pretty darn great. I love the setting, and the story is gloriously melodrama tragedy. Good, good stuff.

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[info]neverendingview
2008-07-03 06:28 am UTC (link)
I know, isn't the story fabulous? I really want to see Pepe now; I can't stop thinking about Boyer in Algiers, though. He made le Moko comical, but at the same time there was a lot of depth in the character, I see why he got the Oscar nod.

Congrats on your 75%! Where did you find Les Vampires? I'm having trouble tracking it down.

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[info]siochembio
2008-07-03 01:42 pm UTC (link)
Ooh, Gabin is certainly not comical as Pepe le Moko.

I found Les Vampires on Video Google. Someone had posted the whole thing. I watched it about a year and a half ago, and I've checked back recently and couldn't find it, which would suggest that said person took it down. :(

When trying to find hard-to-find movies from the list, my top resources have been my county library system (AWESOME), free videos on the internet, eBay/Amazon, and TCM/Encore every now and then.

I wish you luck! It's been incredibly rewarding so far.

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[info]bwayboogiewooge
2008-07-03 03:01 pm UTC (link)
Algiers is the American remake of the French film Pepe Le Moko. And not unlike today's American remakes of foreign films, I think it is a water downed version of the original. Like the ending of the American version was tweaked just slightly to please the Hays Office mandate of morality. And many set ups and even certain establishing shots were taken right from the original French film. Having said all that, I haven't seen Algiers but on the Pepe Le Moko DVD they compare and contrast the two films. And from that alone I have no real interest to see the lesser of the two, in my opinion at least. Nothing against Boyer but you just can't beat Jean Gabin. Definitely see the original French film.

PS- I have that book, 1001 Movies..., and am determined to watch them all. But first I am working on the New York Times 1000 Movies.

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[info]endoftheworld98
2008-07-03 03:32 pm UTC (link)
I haven't seen Algiers though I have heard that it pales in comparison to Pepe le Moko, which is fantastic. Not my favourite Jean Gabin film (He's fantastic!)
I do like Boyer, but Gabin is just amazing. (Have you seen any of his films? I can't recommend La Grande Illusion or Le Quay des Brumes enough!)
I think the Pepe character had a book series before either of the movies, but it might have been after the French film.
The French film is particularly interesting as it was not shot on location, which is rather surprising considering the number of films featuring Africa made by France in the 1930's which strike as a melancholy plea for her dwindling empire.
I think Algiers was shot on "location?" As in, in Africa, but not in Algiers. It would be interesting to compare the two films just from this visual standpoint too. You'd never know that Pepe was shot on stage, but I wonder how different it looks from the real thing.
Interesting post, you've made me want to watch Algiers now!

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[info]neverendingview
2008-07-04 04:46 am UTC (link)
I loved La Grande Illusion; Gabin is fantastic in it, and I'd love to see him tackle le Moko.

According to imdb.com, Algiers was shot in the title city, though I'm sure some of the locations were sound stages (but I could be wrong!). And while it was gorgeous, I am constantly in awe of sets crafted by the set artisans of the early 20th century (have you seen Intolerance or The Theif of Bagdad? Those are some of the most incredible sets I've ever seen!), so I am sure le Moko is equally breathtaking.

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[info]endoftheworld98
2008-07-04 09:02 pm UTC (link)
Oh,thanks.
I've yet to see Intolerance, but I have seen the technicolor version of the The Theif of Bagdad with Conrad Veidt.
I'm somewhat biased against color movies (they seem terribly gaudy sometimes) and I only watched that one for Veidt. Though I suppose the one you mentioned was the 1924 version! I'd very much like to see it.
I'm so glad you brought it up, actually. I've just placed a hold on it at the library.
It's been nice talking with you :)

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[info]neverendingview
2008-07-04 09:17 pm UTC (link)
Likewise! :)

I'm with you on color movies, especially ones from the '50's and later when it just becomes...common? Ha, sounds sort of elitest, but its true. The only really interesting classic film I saw in color was Man in the Eiffel Tower (1949) because it was so nice to see old Paris in color! And the lipstick on one of the ladies was such a 'wow, that is rediculously red' color.

I'm glad you're going to see the 1924 Theif; I haven't seen the color version, but the silent is glorious. Barrymore is...himself, as always, but it works. And the story line reminds me of being a kid and reading Arabian Nights.

Intolerance. Ah. I have no words for this movie; I'm a sucker for love stories, and this is like the mother of all love stories. Plus the suspense is really well filmed. I literally was biting my nails at the end! They have it for download at archive.org, which is how I saw it.

Happy watching! :)

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