ComedyCrime

We're No Angels

- A strangler... A swindler... A safecracker... Yet you'll love them!

Three convicts escape from prison on Devil's Island just before Christmas and arrive at a nearby French colonial town. They go to the store of the Ducotels, the only store that gives supplies on credit. They initially intend to take advantage of them but have a change of heart after they find the family is in financial troubles.

Release Date : 1955-07-07

Language :FrenchEnglishItalian

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : Paramount Pictures

Production Country : United States of America

Alternative Titles : Angels' Cooking

Cast

Character Name : Joseph

Original Name : Humphrey Bogart

Gender : Male

Character Name : Albert

Original Name : Aldo Ray

Gender : Male

Character Name : Jules

Original Name : Peter Ustinov

Gender : Male

Character Name : Amelie Ducotel

Original Name : Joan Bennett

Gender : Female

Character Name : Andre Trochard

Original Name : Basil Rathbone

Gender : Male

Character Name : Felix Ducotel

Original Name : Leo G. Carroll

Gender : Male

Character Name : Paul Trochard

Original Name : John Baer

Gender : Male

Character Name : Isabelle Ducotel

Original Name : Gloria Talbott

Gender : Female

Character Name : Mme. Parole

Original Name : Lea Penman

Gender : Female

Character Name : Medical Officer Arnaud

Original Name : John Smith

Gender : Male

Character Name : Coachman (uncredited)

Original Name : George Dee

Gender : Male

Character Name : Vendor (uncredited)

Original Name : John George

Gender : Male

Character Name : Vendor (uncredited)

Original Name : Jack Kenny

Gender : Male

Character Name : Butterfly Man (uncredited)

Original Name : Torben Meyer

Gender : Male

Character Name : Port Captain (uncredited)

Original Name : Paul Newlan

Gender : Male

Character Name : Coat Customer (uncredited)

Original Name : Joe Ploski

Gender : Male

Character Name : Celeste (uncredited)

Original Name : Louis Mercier

Gender : Male

Reviews

John Chard

@John Chard

2024-05-16

Who says Bogart couldn't do comedy? Joseph, Julius and Albert have escaped from Devil's island, whilst waiting for a ship to take them away, they plot to steal from the amiable Ducotel family. They bluff store owner Felix into letting them repair his roof, from here they plan to execute their robbery, but the more that the escapees observe this family, the more they find humane personas coming from within. Humphrey Bogart, Aldo Ray and Peter Ustinov take up the task of playing our villains who find hearts, where backed up with witty dialogue amongst the very tidily scripted piece, the result is a hugely enjoyable picture for all the family to enjoy. The film mostly works because of the interplay between Ustinov & Bogart, Ustinov's Jules is a softly spoken gentile sort of man and this oddly works well against Bogart's Joseph who is gruff and oozing toughness, this of course sets us up for some delightful scenes that leave a lasting impression. Witness Bogart in a pink apron! Aldo Ray, perhaps not unsurprisingly, seems a touch out of place and looks swamped by the acting talent either side of him, but he does what is needed and his characters' pet snake, Adolphe, is the crucial meat in this films sandwich. Sadly Basil Rathbone is wasted by being reduced to what amounts to little more than a walk on villain part, but a great bonus is Leo G. Carroll as the hapless Felix Ducotel, charmingly oblivious to what is around him, Carroll gets the audience on board with a smashingly effective turn. Perhaps viewed as a Christmas movie by many, it is however a film that can be watched at anytime of the year, a testament to what a good script can do for comedy. We're No Angels is never less than fun, and of course its backed up by a few highly watchable performances. 7/10