we're no angels

the year: 1955

the genre: comedy


the cast: Humphrey Bogart (Joseph); Peter Ustinov (Jules); Aldo Ray (Albert); Leo G. Caroll (Felix Ducotel); Basil Rathbone (Andre Trochard); Joan Bennett (Amelie Doctel)


the plot: Joseph, Julius and Albert escaped prison on Devil's Island. Loitering around the port, awaiting a ship to take them away, they decide to steal some goods from a merchant. Letting him hire them to repair the roof, they get some insight into the private life of his family. Isabelle, the 18-year-old daughter, is still unmarried and longs for her old love Paul, who is back in Paris. Felix, her father, is afraid of cousin André, who owns the shop and will fire him if there are no profits reported soon. When Paul and André arrive on the island - and are far less sympathetic than the family expected – the three convicts take matters into their own hands, along with the help of Adolf, Albert’s poisonous pet snake.



count: on a good laugh when the convicts hold a “fair trial” about the fate of Cousin André. Jules is brilliant as the defense attorney.



don’t miss: the convicts’ rush to “help” Cousin André upon his arrival. I especially love the pineapple.


check out: how the dinner plates keep changing positions as the table is set for Christmas dinner.


listen for: “We came here to rob them and that's what we're gonna do - beat their heads in, gouge their eyes out, slash their throats. Soon as we wash the dishes.”