Malaga | |
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Directed by | Richard Sale |
Produced by | M. J. Frankovich |
Written by | Robert Westerby |
Starring | |
Music by | Benjamin Frankel |
Cinematography | Christopher Challis |
Edited by | Bert Bates |
Production
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Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
Release date
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Running time
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84 minutes |
Country |
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Language | English |
Malaga (aka Port of Spain and Fire Over Africa in its United States release) is a 1954 British and American Technicolor film noir crime film directed by Richard Sale and stars Maureen O'Hara as a former O.S.S. secret agent and Macdonald Carey as a smuggler. The film takes its title from Málaga, Spain where it was primarily shot on location.
Peter Sellers dubbed at least six actors in the cast without credit, with one account listing as many as 14 roles being dubbed. One of the cast was Irish-born, American actor James O'Hara, Maureen O'Hara's brother.
Joanna Dane (Maureen O'Hara) is sent to Tangiers to get information on, and close down, an international smuggling ring. Dane is adept at jiu jitsu, firearms, and wisecracks that she uses on anyone who tangles with her. Her beauty, attractive outfits and skill with playing cards get her a position as a croupier at a smuggler's hangout called Frisco's, run by the hard blonde Frisco (Binnie Barnes). Joanna also is pursued by smuggler Van Logan (MacDonald Carey), who she uses by having him take her to Ali Baba's, a parfumerie run by the suspicious Mustapha (Ferdy Mayne).
During her work at Frisco's, Joanna is pestered by Danny Boy (James Lilburn), Logan's Irish assistant, who ignores her insults and warnings to let her alone. When the embarrassed Danny Boy threatens Joanna, she grabs him and throws him to the floor. Augie (Harry Lane) – another target of Joanna's surveillance—beats Danny Boy's head with his cane, knocking him unconsciuous. Logan fights with Augie, revealing he carries a sword cane by tossing the blade at Logan.