One of the biggest flops in Hollywood’s history, particularly when considering the budget size and talent allocated, Pepe was a gimmicky comedy that was meant to make Mexican actor Cantinflas a bona fide Hollywood and international star.
The flimsy tale, directed by George Sidney, sort of an excuse in order to involve as many stars as possible, involves Cantinflas going to Hollywood.
When the special horse he has raised is bought by a Hollywood director (played by Dan Dailey), Pepe, a Mexican peasant decides to talk Dailey into hiring him so that he can take care of the horse.
Shirley Jones, Ernie Kovacs, and William Demarest play characters, though all underdeveloped. But the chief fun is in spotting the stars, and there are two dozen of them, including: Maurice Chevalier, Bing Crosby, Charles Coburn, Tony Curtis, Bobby Darin, Sammy Davis Jr., Jimmy Durante, Greer Garson, Janet Leigh, Jack Lemmon, Kim Novak, Donna reed, Debbie Reynolds, Edward G. Robinson, Frank Sinatra—even Zsa Zsa Gabor.
Oscar Nominations: 7
Cinematography (color): Joe MacDonald
Art Direction-Set Decoration (color): Ted Haworth; William Kiernan
Costume Design: Edith Head
Sound: Charles Rice
Song: “Faraway Part of Town,” music by Andre Previn, lyrics by Dory Langdon
Scoring: Johnny Green
Film Editing: Viola Lawrence and Al Clark
Oscar Awards: None
Oscar Context:
The winner of the Cinematography Oscar was Russell Metty for Spartacus, which also took awards for Art Direction and Costumes (by Valles and Bill Thomas).
John Wayne’s “The Alamo” won the sound ward.
“The Apartment,” which won Best picture and Director, won the Editing award for Daniel Mandell.
The Best Song went to Manos Hadjidakis, for his title tune to the Greek comedy, “Never On Sunday.”
Moris Stoloff and Harry Sukman won the Scoring Award for “Song Without End.”
Cast
Cantinflas as Pepe
Dan Dailey as Ted Holt
Shirley Jones as Suzie Murphy
Carlos Montalbán as Rodríguez (auctioneer)
Vicki Trickett as Lupita
Matt Mattox as Dancer
Hank Henry as Manager
Suzanne Lloyd as Carmen
Carlos Rivas as Carlos
Michael Callan as Dancer
William Demarest as Movie Studio Gateman
Cantinflas as Pepe
Dan Dailey as Ted Holt
Shirley Jones as Suzie Murphy
Carlos Montalbán as Rodríguez (auctioneer)
Vicki Trickett as Lupita
Matt Mattox as Dancer
Hank Henry as Manager
Suzanne Lloyd as Carmen
Carlos Rivas as Carlos
Michael Callan as Dancer
William Demarest as Movie Studio Gateman
Cameos
Joey Bishop
Billie Burke
Maurice Chevalier
Charles Coburn
Richard Conte
Bing Crosby
Tony Curtis
Bobby Darin
Ann B. Davis as her TV character Schultzy
Sammy Davis Jr.
Jimmy Durante
Zsa Zsa Gabór
Judy Garland (voice only)
Greer Garson
Hedda Hopper
Ernie Kovacs
Peter Lawford
Janet Leigh
Jack Lemmon
Dean Martin
Jay North as his TV character Dennis the Menace
Kim Novak
André Previn
Donna Reed
Debbie Reynolds
Edward G. Robinson
Cesar Romero
Frank Sinatra
Joey Bishop
Billie Burke
Maurice Chevalier
Charles Coburn
Richard Conte
Bing Crosby
Tony Curtis
Bobby Darin
Ann B. Davis as her TV character Schultzy
Sammy Davis Jr.
Jimmy Durante
Zsa Zsa Gabór
Judy Garland (voice only)
Greer Garson
Hedda Hopper
Ernie Kovacs
Peter Lawford
Janet Leigh
Jack Lemmon
Dean Martin
Jay North as his TV character Dennis the Menace
Kim Novak
André Previn
Donna Reed
Debbie Reynolds
Edward G. Robinson
Cesar Romero
Frank Sinatra
