PEPE

Pepe


G. S. - Posa Films International / Columbia, 1960, Color, 195 minutes, ***

Released December, 1960



This film probably has the largest roster of actors and actresses from the Golden Age ever assembled into one production. It's worth seeing for that alone! It's basically a good story; Cantinflas and Shirley Jones are fun. The only problem with it is that it's too long and wanders around a lot.



Movie star Dan Dailey buys a race horse in Mexico, but one condition of the sale is that the horse's stable boy Cantinflas must go with the horse. So Dailey moves the horse and Cantinflas to his home in Hollywood, and Cantinflas finds himself suddenly thrust into the Hollywood culture. He meets many stars and finds a strange new world that is totally baffling to him. Lots of laughs!



Directed and Produced by: George Sidney

Associate Producer: Jacques Gelman

Assistant Director: David Silver

Screen Play by: Dorothy Kingsley, Claude Binyon

Screen Story by: Leonard Spigelgass and Sonya Levien

Based on a Play by L. Bush-Fekete ("Broadway Magic")

General Music Supervision and Background Score by: Johnny Green

"Pepe" and "Mimi" Special Material and Routines by Roger Edens

Songs: "Faraway Part of Town", "That's How It Went, Alright" Music by André Previn, Lyrics by Dory Langdon, Conducted by André Previn; "Pepe" Music by Hans Wittstatt, Special Instrumental by Johnny Green, Lyrics by Dory Langdon; "The Rumble" instrumental by André Previn; "Lovely Day" ("Concha Hacar") Music by Augustin Lara, Spanish Lyrics by Maria Teresa Lara, Special English Lyrics by Dory Langdon; Maurice Chevalier Recordings of "September Song" and "Mimi" courtesy of MGM Records

Choreography: "The Rumble", "Faraway Part of Town" (by) Eugene Loring

Additional Choreography: Alex Romero

Art Direction: Ted Haworth

Associate Art Director: Gunthere Gerszo

Set Decorator: William Kiernan

Gowns: Edith Head

Make-Up Supervision: Ben Lane

Hair Styles: Larry Germain, Myrl Stoltz

Recording Supervisor: Charles J. Rice

Sound: James Z. Flaster

Director of Photography: Joe Mac Donald

Special Sequences Photographed in CinemaScope, Eastman Color by Pathe

Film Editors: Viola Lawrence, Al Clark

Las Vegas Sequences Photographed at The Sands Hotel, The Tropicana Hotel

Bullfight and Fiesta Scenes Photographed at Hacienda Vista Hermosa, Mexico

"With Special Appreciation to the Members of the Motion Picture Production Worker's Union of the Republic of Mexico for Their Splendid Co-Operation."



Awards: Academy Award Nominations: Best Color Cinematography (Joe MacDonald), Best Film Editing (Viola Lawrence, Al Clark), Best Score, Musical (Johnny Green), Best Song ("The Faraway Part of Town"), Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Color [Ted Haworth (Art Direction), William Kiernan (Set Decoration)], Best Costume Design, Color (Edith Head), Best Sound (Charles Rice, Columbia Studio Sound Department)



Cast: Cantinflas [Pepe], Dan Dailey [Ted Holt], Shirley Jones [Suzie Murphy], Carlos Montalban [Auctioneer], Vicki Trickett [Lupita], Matt Mattox [Dancer], Hank Henry [Manager], Sue Lloyd [Carmen], Stephen Bekassy [Jewelry Salesman], Ernie Kovacs [Immigration Inspector], William Demarest [Studio Gateman], Carol Douglas [Waitress], Francisco Reguerra [Priest], Joe Hyams [Charro], Carlos Rivas [Himself], Joey Bishop [Himself], Michael Callan [Himself], Maurice Chevalier [Himself], Charles Coburn [Himself], Richard Conte [Himself], Bing Crosby [Himself], Tony Curtis [Himself], Bobby Darin [Himself], Sammy Davis, Jr. [Himself], Jimmy Durante [Himself], Zsa Zsa Gabor [Herself], The Singing Voice of Judy Garland [voice only], Greer Garson [Herself], Hedda Hopper [Herself], Peter Lawford [Himself], Janet Leigh [Herself], Jack Lemmon [Himself], Dean Martin [Himself], Jay North [Himself], Kim Novak [Herself], Andre Previn [Himself], Donna Reed [Herself], Debbie Reynolds [Herself], Edward G. Robinson [Himself], Cesar Romero [Himself], Frank Sinatra [Himself], Billie Burke [Herself], Ann B. Davis [Herself], Jack Entratter [Himself], E. E. Fogelson [Himself], Jane Robinson [Herself], Bunny Waters [Herself], Shirley DeBurgh [Senorita Dancer], Steve Baylor [Parking Lot Attendant], John Burnside [Parking Lot Attendant], James Bacon [Bartender], James Cavanaugh [Dealer], Jeanne Manet [French Woman], Robert B. Williams [Immigration Officer], Bonnie Green [Dancer], Lela Bliss [Dowager], Ray Walker [Assistant Director], David Landfield [Announcer's Voice], Margie Nelson [Patron], Dorothy Abbott, Kenner G. Kemp, Steve Carruthers, Jim Waters, Billy Snyder [Bits], Frederico Roberto [Cashier]



Musical Program: [0:00] Overture (played by Orchestra behind titles and antics of Cantinflas); [0:25] Pennies from Heaven / Let's Fall in Love / South of the Border (with special lyrics, short a capella excerpts sung by Bing Crosby and Cantinflas); [0:39] That's How It Went All Right (sung by Bobby Darin) / The Rumble (instrumental danced by Michael Callan, Matt Mattox and Shirley Jones at Kelly's Alley); [0:57] The Faraway Part of Town [AAN] (sung by Judy Garland offscreen [on radio], danced by Shirley Jones and Dan Dailey); [1:13] Hooray for Hollywood (short excerpt sung by Sammy Davis, Jr.); [1:18] card game comedy routine (performed by Cantinflas and Jimmy Durante -- great!); [1:28] Tequila (danced by Debbie Reynolds and Cantinflas); [1:37] Mimi (sung by Maurice Chevalier with Chorus Girls); [1:39] September Song (sung by Maurice Chevalier); [1:44] Mimi (sung and danced by Maurice Chevalier, Cantinflas and Dan Dailey -- great number!); [1:47] Rhumba (danced by Dan Dailey and Shirley DeBurgh and other nightclub patrons); [1:52] Pepe (sung by Shirley Jones and Children, dancing through the streets -- cute!); [2:36] Pepe (sung by Childrens Chorus); The following musical numbers are not in the print I have, but sources indicate that they are in the film... Lovely Day (Shirley Jones); Suzy's Theme (imstrumental danced by Cantinflas and Debbie Reynolds)