Wicked City (1949 film)


Wicked City is a 1949 French-American drama film directed by François Villiers and starring the husband and wife team of Jean-Pierre Aumont and Maria Montez. It was Montez's first film in Europe.
It was also known by the alternative title of The Last Port.
Along with The Man on the Eiffel Tower, the film was the first French-US co production following the war.

Premise

Hans is a Canadian sailor docked in Marseilles who is having an affair with cabaret owner Dolores. 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.

Cast

Aumont served with the Free French Army during World War II 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 François 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".
Andre Sarrut of Safia Productions agreed to pay the production costs of the film up to 80,000 francs. Aumont was to produce through his company with Montez, Christina Productions. Christina provided the services of Aumont, Montez and Lilli Palmer; in exchange Christina's share would be paid off first out of US receipts.
Filming began in Marseilles in July 1948. Sixty percent of the film was shot on location with the remainder done at the Joinville Studios in Paris.