Tangier (1946 film)

Maria Montez became famous in the 1940s appearing in a series of movies at Universal set in exotic locales and filmed in color alongside Jon Hall and Sabu, such as Arabian Nights, White Savage and Cobra Woman. In September 1943 Universal announced they would make Flame of Stamboul, from a script by Alice Miller, to star Montez, Hall and Turhan Bey, who was to play the role meant for Sabu because Sabu had gone into the army. Paul Malvern was to produce and the film was meant to be shot in color.[3]

Miller's script was set in Turkey, which was neutral for most of World War II. However this was ultimately felt to be too problematic politically – in particular Universal were worried about upsetting the Turkish government – and filming was postponed.[4]

In March 1945 the project was re-activated as Tangier. Steve Fisher was hired to rewrite the script.[5] The film was relocated to Tangiers and the villains were turned into agents from Franco's Spain. Then this was changed to they were from a non specific nationality.[4]

Montez had been fighting with Universal over being in romantic fantasy films. "Sudan is making more money than any of the others and Universal thinks that on that account I should appear in more of these film,s" she said. "But I wanted to quit these films when they are at their peak, not on the downbeat. It isn't only that the pictures are all the same, but the stories are one just like the other."[6]

She did add that "Tangier is modern. I play a Spanish girl. I like that."[6]

Filming started on 24 September 1945. By this stage Turhan Bey and Jon Hall had gone into the army so their roles were played by Sabu and Robert Paige respectively. It was Sabu's first movie on his return from the services.[7]

Montez was pregnant during filming.[8]

Radio singer William Ching made his film debut in the movie.[9]

Choreography was made by Lester Horton.