Algiers is a 1938 American drama film directed by John Cromwell and starring Charles Boyer, Sigrid Gurie, and Hedy Lamarr. Written by John Howard Lawson, the film is about a notorious French jewel thief hiding in the labyrinthine native quarter of Algiers known as the Casbah. Feeling imprisoned by his self-imposed exile, he is drawn out of hiding by a beautiful French tourist who reminds him of happier times in Paris. The Walter Wanger production was a remake of the successful 1937 French film Pépé le Moko, which derived its plot from the Henri La Barthe novel of the same name.[3]

Algiers was a sensation because it was the first Hollywood film starring Hedy Lamarr, whose beauty became the main attraction for film audiences. The film is notable as one of the sources of inspiration to the screenwriters of the 1942 Warner Bros. film Casablanca, who wrote it with Hedy Lamarr in mind as the original female lead. Charles Boyer's depiction of Pepe le Moko inspired the Warner Bros. animated character Pepé Le Pew. In 1966, the film entered the public domain in the United States because the claimants did not renew its copyright registration in the 28th year after publication.

Directed by John Cromwell
Produced by Walter Wanger
Screenplay by John Howard Lawson
James M. Cain (additional dialogue)
Based on Pépé le Moko
(1937 novel)
by Henri La Barthe
Pépé le Moko
(1937 film)
Starring
Charles Boyer
Sigrid Gurie
Hedy Lamarr
Music by
Vincent Scotto
Mohamed Ygerbuchen
Cinematography James Wong Howe
Edited by
Otho Lovering
William H. Reynolds Production company
Walter Wanger Productions
Distributed by United Artists
Release date August 5, 1938 (US)
Running time 99 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Budget $691,833
Box office $951,801

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