Wicked City (1949 film)
| Wicked City | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | François Villiers |
| Produced by | Andre Sarrut |
| Written by |
Jean-Pierre Aumont Francois Villiers Michel Arnaud Marcel Cravenne |
| Based on | the novel Hans Le Marin by Edouard Peisson |
| Starring |
Maria Montez Jean-Pierre Aumont Lilli Palmer Marcel Dalio |
Production company |
Christina Productions |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 76 minutes |
| Country |
France USA |
| Language | English |
| Budget | 80,000 francs (US $250,000)[2] |
| Box office | 1,891,994 admissions (France)[3] |
Wicked City is a 1949 film starring the husband and wife team of Jean-Pierre Aumont and Maria Montez. It was Montez's first movie in Europe.[4]
It was also known as Hans le marin and The Last Port.
Along with The Man on the Eiffel Tower, the film was the first French-US co production following the war.[2]
Plot
Hans is a Canadian sailor docked in Marseilles who is having an affair with cabaret owner Dolores (Maria Montez). When he is robbed and left for dead, Hans awakens to discover that Dolores has disappeared. He goes to work as a nightclub bouncer and has a fling with gypsy girl Tania (Lilli Palmer).
Production
Aumont served with the Free French Army during World War Two and was wounded by shrapnel near Marseilles in 1944. While recuperating he read the novel Hans Le Marin by Edouard Peysson and began to think about filming it on location near Marseilles. In 1946 Aumont visited the author with his brother Francois Villiers and his wife Maria Montez, and negotiated to buy the film rights. Aumont was to write the script, Villiers was to direct and Montez and Aumont would star. The goal was to show Montez "is an actress as well as a manikin".[2]
Andre Sarrut of Safia Productions agreed to pay the production costs of the film up to 80,000 francs (then US $250,000). Aumont was to produce through his company with Montez, Christina Productions. Christina provided the services of Aumont, Montez and Lili Palmer; in exchange Christina's share would be paid off first out of US receipts.[2]
Filming began in Marseilles in July 1948. Sixty percent of the film was shot on location with the remainder done at the studio in Joinville.
References
- ↑ 'Bitter Rice' Now on View Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 08 Feb 1951: A8.
- 1 2 3 4 Thomas Jr, George (12 December 1948). "Filming in Paris: Notes on First Franco -- American Projects". New York Times. p. X6.
- ↑ French box office of 1949 at Box Office Story
- ↑ Film information at Mariamontez.org