TANGIER

(director: George Waggner; screenwriters: Monty F. Collins/M.M. Musselman/story by Alice D.G. Miller; cinematographer: Woody Bredell; editor: Edward Curtiss; music: Milton Rosen; cast: Maria Montez (Rita), Robert Paige (Paul Kenyon), Sabu (Pepe), Preston Foster (Col. Jose Artiego), J. Edward Bromberg (Alec Rocco), Francis McDonald (Sanchez), Louise Allbritton (Dolores), Charles Judels (Dimitri), Kent Taylor (Ramon), Reginald Denny (Fernandez), Erno Verenes (Captain Cartiaz), Billy Green (Mike); Runtime: 74; MPAA Rating: NR; producer: Paul Malvern; Universal Pictures; 1946)

“The exotic setting of Tangier and the exotic star Maria Montez help considerably“

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

The exotic setting of Tangier and the exotic star Maria Montez help considerably lift this poorly made kitsch wannabe Casablanca film into possibly being a respectable melodrama. It’s filmed cheaply in monochrome by director George Waggner (“Cobra Woman”/”The Climax”/”The Gunfighters”). It’s based on the story by Alice D.G. Miller. Writers Monty F. Collins and M.M. Musselman adapt it to the big screen.

Robert Paige is a discredited down-and-out American war correspondent, who is trying to get back his career by chasing an intriguing murder story involving diamonds. He becomes enamored in North Africa with troublemaker Spanish dancer Maria Montez, who is obsessed with finding the Nazi war criminals who killed her father.

Risible but entertaining. Don’t expect much and you might be pleased. To hear Sabu sing in his pidgin English “She’ll Be Comin’ Round the Mountain,” should be reason enough to catch this flick.

REVIEWED ON 8/15/2015 GRADE: B-