Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Movie review - "Hotel Sahara" (1951) **1/2

This film has such a bright central idea I'm surprised it hasn't been adapted/remade more - it would seem to be a natural musical/TV show... it's about a North African hotel which keeps having to deal with different occupiers during World War Two. So it spans a bit of time but is all the one location. (Come to think of it the basic idea is a little like Five Graves to Cairo/ Hotel Imperial)

Peter Ustinov does his funny voice thing as an Arab who runs the hotel. His chief worker is Yvonne de Carlo, who finds herself romancing the occupying Italians, British, Germans, French and (briefly) Americans. There's also other staff but these were the main two.

The French section of this felt a little tacked on - it was like a fourth act when maybe the film would have been tighter as a three act (Italian, British, German) with the Americans as a coda. There were inevitable elements of repetition. The film might have benefited with an overall story - a throughline about a map of mines in the area, say like in Five Graves to Cairo, or hidden arms caches, or a local spy or something.

The playing is very broad - there's no genuine threat, or basis in reality. If you can accept that you'll have a good time.

De Carlo has a high old time - she sings a few songs, runs around in a variety of swimsuits, does a few dances. It's a very good opportunity for her. I'm watching a lot of De Carlo movies - because I like the types of movies she made I want to enjoy her acting more than I do. She's pleasant, and fun, mind - she just lacks the focus of the great stars that's all. Ustinov has more charisma.

The support cast includes David Tomlinson and Roland Culver.

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